Same problem here, unfortunately. If I am going to go to a place where there's too much stimulation, I feel that the one thing I can try to control, is who I go with. Being around people that don't put me at ease combined with too much stimulation induces so much stress. If it's really bad though, there's nothing wrong with not staying the whole time in certain situations (I know that is hard to do at a restaurant, but at a party or event, it can be done). Staying out to late in a place with too much stimulation can be very stressful.

Don't feel bad, if you can't stay the whole time when it comes to places like that. Every now and then, if the anxiety is that bad, nothing wrong with staying home. I'm not saying to avoid everything in life, but there is a limit to what we can do. Being overly stressed affects sleep. I also take Klonopin when I have to, and I'm on a cocktail of sedating meds.

Therapy can sometimes be helpful with these things and a level of acceptance that this is a trigger. I try to do meditation at night sometimes to help me sleep better, but insomnia is a problem for me too. Light exercise can also help. I'm on 400 mg Seroquel now and have been on higher. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I understand that this could be very difficult, but hang in there and try not to be hard on yourself.