Is this social anxiety? Seems to be. I HATE IT. I understand about people being nervous, but do most people let it consume their day? Its a stupid party....not a job interview.....

nervousnellie, letting things like this consume our day is exactly what social anxiety does. I was nervous for days before my friend's 40th birthday party, and actually ended up making myself sick. In that case, the anxiety won, because I was too sick to drive to the party, and missed it. So, try not to beat yourself up about being nervous...it's not *just* a party...it's a situation that you are having difficulty coping with, and that's ok.

I heard recently on the radio a little piece about using cognitive behavioral therapy to combat social anxiety. I wish I could remember everything they said, but I know some of it focused on actually going into social situations, and then being conscious of the fact that nothing horrible happened. So after this party, you may want to think of everything positive that came of the evening, and maybe even write them down, to look at next time you are struggling with the same thing.

By the way, ozzie...that's a great idea! I'm going to have to try that myself.

mj

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