[Dahliaxx]

I plan to attend a concert in August. Before my ticket was purchased, I was fine. But once it was finally set, I've been overly anxious. I've felt nauseated and upset all day.

This is supposed to be a good thing. A birthday present to myself. And now I don't think I can enjoy it. I'm trying to find a way to back out and I know that I shouldn't. I'm attending with my sister and a friend and I know they're both looking forward to it as much as I should be. Actually, I think they're more excited than I ever could hope to be. They've been trying to get me to attend a show with them for months.

I don't know what to do.

I'd really like to go. But I don't know if my anxiety will let me.
How do I conquer it?

I've got until August 25. Any suggestions?

[sundog]

Hi Dahlia. I'm really sorry you're stressing over this. I can definitely relate. Is it the thought of the crowds that you're feeling anxious about?

I'm wondering if you're in therapy at all? This would be a really good thing to work on with a therapist or counselor. You could learn some coping techniques and maybe try some gradual exposure therapy (working with a therapist on exercises that slowly expose you to the situations you're afraid of.)

Wishing you all the very best!

[Dahliaxx]

Thank you. It isn't just the crowd, although the though of all the people is quite overwhelming. I'm also concerned over just leaving my house and the long car ride to the concert. I know I'm with people who love me and would never let anything happen to me, but it seems my anxiety doesn't really let me open up to that fact.

I'm currently not in therapy, though I was some years ago. I quit because I didn't feel like it was what I needed at the time. I guess, perhaps, it's time that I give that another try also.

[sundog]

I really can relate to so much of this. Especially the part where you describe how your anxiety doesn't respond to rational thoughts (like, I'm with people who love me and they'll look out for me). It's so frustrating when we know intellectually that we don't need to worry, yet we still experience a lot of unpleasant physical feelings of anxiety.

I do think therapy can be helpful, but definitely it's important to find someone who you "click with". And that can sometimes take a while and I know that's discouraging too.

I hope it helps a bit to share experiences here, and I hope we can offer you some encouragement. The other thing I've often found is that, sometimes, the thought of doing something is worse than actually doing it. So if I can just somehow get myself to do it, it often ends up being ok (not always, but sometimes at least!).

I really hope you're able to go to the concert and have some fun!