Left a movie early

I can't believe it... but me and husband took a friend (+ 2 of her other friends out to dinner and a movie for her birthday.
We went to X-Men and I started getting really really anxious after dinner (before the movie)... I don't know why.
And as soon as the movie started, my anxiety spun into over drive and I started panicking at nearly every scene, every boom. I buried my face into my husband's shoulder, dug my fingernails into his arm, and no amount his comforting "Dear, shh its ok. It's just a movie. There's no need to get all worked up over it." helped.
I was just too worked up. So we ended up leaving...

I can't help feeling like we/I was being rude by leaving early, after all, we were there for my friend's birthday!!!
I mean, I know we didn't leave her alone ( her 2 other friends were still with her) but still... I still feel rude.

Manda,

I am sure that those that were with you are more concerned about your well being and not about why you left. You have to remember that you and your husband may be the only ones that really know what took place.

Now the question becomes what triggered the anxiety attack? Do you have any ideas? From the sounds of things you started to feel anxious prior to leaving dinner. Did something happen at the restaurant that would have started your spiral?

not really... maybe... err... I don't remember.

Like someone else said, I'm sure your friends were more concerned about you. And as you pointed out, the friend with the birthday was able to stay and see the movie with other friends - your anxiety didn't cause her to not see the movie or sit there by herself. I think - outside of the discomfort you felt, things turned out as best they could have. Don't beat yourself up about it. Real friends will understand your "idiosyncrascies" and be supportive. As I've heard from others: "Those who mind don't matter. And those that matter don't mind."

Hey I know the feeling!!! On april 30th I was having a great time at a concert i'd been looking forward to for a month, finally seeing an old friend's band play. But I had to leave halfway through their set due to a claustrophobic panic attack. I feel bad about leaving too, but i've had these for so many years i know when i just need to change my surroundings or it wont go away.
I was really really bummed out over it for like two weeks.

I understand exacly how you feel

The point that we forget many times ( and i do include myself here) is that people dont REALLY CARE that much. we may care because we do something DIFFERENT than EXPECTED from us. but come on - lest be real - your friends dont REALLY care THAT much that you left early right?
even if they ask with some concern or curiosity
do they really need us AS BAD?

I am sorry that you are feeling that ****** about movies, etc
I hate movies for they way they overwhlem us with their stupid effects

I know how you feel. My junior year of highschool (2007),I was watching a movie in my U.S. History class and I had a panic attack and it was really bad. I ended up leaving the classroom in a dash. I ran to the nurses' office and felt so embaressed becasue I didnt tell her I had a panic attack becasue I didnt want her to know because she would have questioned it and what not. It seems that they always come at the worst time.

Roman