Explaining my anxiety to my boyfriend's family

Hi -

So, I'm still fairly new to coping with my anxiety (I've been having panic attacks for well over a decade, but didn't know what they were or why they happened until recently). So, I was supposed to spend Christmas with my boyfriend's family this past December due to extreme anxiety and overwhelming anxiety attacks. I just couldn't make the drive. I have been with my boyfriend for over 4 years, he is aware of my anxiety and panic issues and is very helpful and sympathetic. But I haven't seen my boyfriend's family since I skipped out on Christmas, and tomorrow I will be seeing them again. I just don't know how to explain my absence to them without either making something up or sounding crazy....

Does anybody have any advice?

It's awful when you have to make things up to cover for anxiety. I don't know how close you are with them but maybe you should tell them the truth - that you have an anxiety disorder. If they don't know what that is just say it's like when you get really nervous before a job interview or whatever, but with an anxiety disorder you can't control it and feel like that all the time. I also find showing people webpages about anxiety helps them understand it.

Good luck :)
Gypsy x

Tell them the truth. Make sure they know that this was not just a tummy ache-- it's a condition you've had to deal with for years [and have to deal with every day]. They don't have to understand what it feels like-- all they have to know is your intentions. When your intention is presented, which is that you did want to see them, they will appreciate your honesty, I would think.