anxiety

I don't feel comfortable in crowds either. Can you start by going into small groups of people? I always try to go very early or very late to anywhere I might encounter a large crowd. Sometimes this doesn't work and then I have to go home and try again another day but sometimes there is no choice and I just have to do the crowd thing.
I just make myself consintrate on breathing that takes my mind off the crowd.

I've struggled with this my entire life, it's a form of agoraphobia & social phobia. Back in my school days when it was break time I would hang by myself in a corner away from the crowds & found it difficult to mix with people. Even simple every day activities such as shopping would become a problem for me through life.

As & grew up I found it difficult socializing as I felt unwell, sometimes it would lead to full on panic attacks. It's made making friends, holding down jobs & even dating a real nightmare. I've also found out that it makes me appear as weird or strange to others & I end up getting shunned or looked down upon, it's a very lonely illness.

I try to focus on interests to take my mind off these issues, it does help to a degree, but it is always lurking in the back ground. But you're doing the right thing talking about it, you realize that at least others share your fears & worries & you're not alone.

My son has problems with anxiety. There are programs for people with anxiety disorders. He went through a program. It helped a lot, but he still struggles with it a bit. You should look into going through a program.

I don't think I've ever experienced an anxiety attack myself, but I've seen what the anxiety does to my son and I know that it's really a difficult thing to experience and to overcome. I hope you are able to get some help.

Take care.

Yes I am experiencing rather big problems with it at present. I actually have social anxiety but it is definatly made worse in crowds. All throughout school I was too scared to put my hand up in class, when I was put at the front of the hall in my GCSE's I couldn't concentrate on the exam because I felt like everyone was looking at me. It is certainly alot more in control of my life than I would like it to be. I am going to Download festival in a few days which around 100,000 people will be going to. And even worse - drunk people. I normally avoid these situations as much as I can. I don't like walking by pubs at all in case someone drunk comes out as I find these people very intimidating. I'm not sure whether medication would be beneficial to me but I am certainly looking for a solution. I hope you find something that works for you

I am wondoring what you consider a crowd? More than 20? Or are you talking about a really big crowd like a large baseball stadium full of people. I do not like to go anywhere that is crowded as too many people around make me uncomfortable. That is why I choose to go someplace either very early in the morning or later at night. I guess you could go to crowded places where you can leave very soon would help as practice. I mean like going to a library right after school is out. It is crowded there, so just sit down for awhile and people watch.

I hate being in crowds. I've always been shy. I feel like people are judging me. I go to counseling. I just started so I'm not sureif it's helping yet. I aslo take wellbutrin and celexa. Those help, but it doesn't totally go away.