Bipolar 1 with anxiety here, I know what you mean about parties. I don't like them either. Well, actually, I like the idea of parties, it's just the fact that there are too many people, too much noise, too many bright lights, and too much stimulation. Crowds make me very uncomfortable anyway---I like people in limited doses, and sometimes even that is too much for me. I am claustrophobic and I always have to be close to the door or I panic.

Bottom line, if you don't want to go to the parties, don't go. I myself have skipped many of my husband's club parties due to my anxiety, and when I really can't get out of it, I have to psych myself out by doing my breathing exercises before we get there. Then I stay very close to him---he knows I'm anxious and he'll avoid getting us stuck in the middle of a cluster of people---and once in a great while, I'll even find someone to talk to.

Wishing you luck. 'Tis the season!