[TraMac]

I'm about to be a senior in college and for the past three or so years I've been going through something that one of you may help me out with...Any time I sit down in the college cafeteria (or anywhere where you must sit down and eat with another individual facing each other), I panic previous to the occurance and during the occurance, in fear of nothing to say to the other person..This mainly happens when it's only one other person I'm eating with since I feel forced to talk or do something. (no matter who it is, family member, boyfriend, best friend, etc) Many of the times I've lied and said I've already eaten because I do not want to go through it. It's gotten almost unbearable because I'm so terrified of what will happen. This has made me extremely uptight and I'm already worried about having to go through this another year, but then I find that I'll have to do it for the rest of my life anyways and I'm terrified. I've been confronted before since it looks like I'm completely apathetic towards the person but in reality I'm sitting there panicking and paranoid. I'm afraid this will ruin my relationship with my boyfriend and closest friends..help??

[Soidhonia]

Hello Tra Mac. I am sory that you are struggling at this time with anxiety when you are around others while eating. If you have a therapist your therapist can help you with this issue that you are having with social anxiety and how to react accordingly in situations that may set off panic and anxiety. Take care and good day. TraMac. Soidhonia

[pachyderm]

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TraMac said:
I'm about to be a senior in college and for the past three or so years I've been going through something that one of you may help me out with...Any time I sit down in the college cafeteria (or anywhere where you must sit down and eat with another individual facing each other), I panic previous to the occurance and during the occurance, in fear of nothing to say to the other person.

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Know the feeling. I'm not sure I can offer anything terribly useful: just stay in the situation, if you can. Eventually you may start thinking of things to say (such as things that really interest you, whether you think they are "acceptable" or not), and then you can decide whether you really want to say them to the particular person or not.