Wedding reception tomorrow....help?

[sagittariusgirl89]

Hello everyone. My name is Danielle and I am 22 years old. I posted on another forum and no one responded, so im hoping this website is more helpful.

Tomorrow, my boyfriend (of 4 years) and I are going to a wedding reception. His old friend from high school invited him and he was allowed to bring a guest. My boyfriend even told me he will only know a handful of people. My boyfriends good friend will be a bridesmaid and she wants to meet me. She even posted on his facebook that she is looking forward to seeing him on Saturday and looking forward to meeting his lovely girlfriend.

That should make me happy...but it doesnt. I even bought a dress and high heels for this event and I dont even want to go.

Its not until 630 tomorrow night and it is literally all I can think about. I don't want to feel awkward. Sitting a table with people I don't know, eating in front of people I don't know. My boyfriend just wants to stay for a few hours but that doesnt even help me.

I know I have social anxiety. I havent even met most of my boyfriends friends or family, and we live together. Its so sad and shameful.

Any words of encouragement?

[Enduronman]

The feelings are normal in a person that dreads social events. The problem is, that you can't avoid everything, and everyone, forever.. This is a must do, in order to begin to battle this anxiety but it is tough also. From the way this post is worded, you have no family Dr, no medication, and speak to no one about this and just hope days like this never come. SO...here's my suggestions:
1. If you drink alcohol?..Have a couple glasses of ANYTHING before you go but no more then a couple. It WILL lessen the OMGAWD moment dramatically and help you to let down the wall that anxiety has built. Just dont pass out and pull the tablecloth off!!..
2. Take 12.5mgs of (doxylamine) that you can buy at the BIG BOX STORE for $4.. That is 1/2 of a tablet. It is a sedating anti-histamine that will calm you quite nicely, just a half tablet! Take some with you too, in case you need to other half..
3. Dont fiddle f**k around with any type of techno gizmo in your hands either, just listen and when you feel you can add something to the conversation then do so..
4. Also remember, its a (wedding reception) which means relax, drink, chill, dance, act f**kin stupid, have fun,..it isnt an (inagural speech). Smile and chill because no one is going to be doing what you're anticipating that theyre going to be doing either, not judging you or looking for flaws. Most people there, are going to be as nervous as you are NOW but not after you follow the above suggestions...I hate them too, but I go and its actually cool to ASK SOMEONE ELSE ABOUT THEMSELF AND LET THEM TALK ALL ABOUT THEMSELF...its a strategy that I use because of my anxiety, I just listen and acknowledge and say wow thats SO cool!!..LOL!

5. After this event is over (stop f**kin thinkin about it and over hypin it) Go see a DR!..Get a program IN PLACE to get this anxiety under your control rather then POPPIN UP INTO OUR WORLD 1 DAY BEFORE THE EARTH EXPLODES TO SAY YOU'VE GOT A SERIOUS ANXIETY DISORDER!!

I was being kind, nice, polite when I typed that but I just wanted to make my point clear to you..HAVE FUN TOMORROW!!! That is your task and you will succeed and I bet you'll be sayin to your BF lets go crash some receptions!! YAY!

Enduronman..:)

[alankay]

Of course you'll be nervous but don't make the mistake I always made and think you be the center of attention. You won't. I used to be the same. Now I focus on relaxing as much as possible, acknowledging no cares that much about lil old me, breath normally and keep conversations...... simple. Don't feel you have to perform. Try to relax and even zone out thinking about some other place and smile allot and seem happy. Folks will kind of chill with you and time will fly by. You might even have a damn good time after the anticipatory anxiety we all feel passes when you get started with the event. Focus/take interest on/with others to distract yourself. Alankay