You can do it Cornish Dee! And no, it's not a cheat.. we all have different limits. Baby step is the key! I was able to do it because I had a goal in mind.. the goal was to see my friend because it was her birthday and I told myself that I can leave as soon as I accomplish that goal. I really did accomplish it so I felt proud. Of course the critical me was still there that I felt unsatisfied about it too, but I just reminded myself of the baby steps.
Ok you are inspiring me , my MIL will be with us again in two days . She has offered to babysit one night so i can go out with hubby ( been two years since we last went out ! ) . Said its ok , but now i think i will give it ago next week . Good on you as well Miki . Mind you feel abit of a cheat i can see the pub if i stand in my front garden . The wall in my carpark is ther wall too lol , so couldnt really be much closer lol
I just went to a bar last week too and the way you described it was just like my situation!
The whole time I was there I was trying to keep myself 'sane' and making sure I won't faint... and that was all that was on my mind that I couldn't conversate with people. But I was really glad that I went.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, I felt relieved to hear it.
You should feel extremely proud of yourself! You are definitely doing the right thing, one step at a time, one night out at the bar at a time! Keep going out with your friends or with those who you feel safe with, and eventually your anxiety will decrease, and like you said, you will probably have a great time!
Keep up the great work, you are doing an amazing job at facing your anxieties. Please keep us posted on your next night out!
My friends always rag on me for not playing shows with them and not going to see them in clubs and bars etc....HOWEVER!
I went with a little pub with my dad and brother a little while ago, and it was terrible...at first...then it was OK. I did notice that my anxiety decreased but never really went away. I did enjoy myself as much as I could though, it started as panic and all I wanted to do was ru away, but I knew I was safe, even though my mind was telling me otherwise. Eventually the panic melted into a general/social anxiety which was managable but still uncomfortable. This is a pretty big step for me, I mean sticking it out is something that doesn't happen very often. Also the next couple of weeks after that. I went to ANOTHER little Bar/Pub with my distant relatives boyfriend. This was EXTREMELY panic provoking becuase I wasn't with someone I felt safe with. HOWEVER....I HAD FUN....eventually, I guess thats the whole point right? To stick it out as much as you can, (I didn't start by going to some dance club ) and try as hardas you can to deal with the panic, because what I did learn, as much as I hate to admit it, is that eventually, even if you don't run, panic decreases to a certain degree. Also if I hadn't had gone to the pub before with my dad and brother, I think I wouldn't have stayed or even of gone in the other situation. I guess, no I KNOW exposure works now, and small steps are definatly key in getting used to everyday situations, and sometimes you might just have fun!
Thanks for listening, I just feel proud, I never would have even thought about going near a bar 3 months ago.