Anxiety refers to a complex combination of negative emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nause...
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Social Anxiety in Restaurants
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I have never liked eating in resaurants, my dad would never take us because he also has SAD and he takes Zoloft. He was embarrased at first and hid it from my mom and us kids but he was so much different after taking the meds, he never even used to answer the phone in the house or talk in frnot of people now he gives presentations, leads the church choir, SINGS in front of people, etc. so he was my motivation into seeking help with my social anxiety.
Mine was never really that bad. Mine was usually only around a loarge group of people (e.g. prom) or eating in strange places other than in my home. When i had friends over and I felt the overwhelming urge to vomit or faint in my own home is when i went to my MD. He perscribed me Lexapro (after first trying BuSpar but then I had thoughts of running my car off the road and he took me off when i reported it--obviously) the lexapro stables out most everyday group settings, like a group of people coming in or crowding around at work or having to have meetings in small rooms. The ativan works wonderfully for going to go out and eat, I even went to watch a dinner theatre... and that is major for me. As soon as I told my husband I wanted to go, he was thrilled that I was the one who brought it up. Usually I would turn down invitations to eat out because of my fear of the nausea and panic i would have. I noticed they don't have a section for social anxiety disorders and I was curious to see if anyone else has the same problem, since I haven't met anyone with social anxiety limited to eating in retaurants? My MD wanted to know if I had eating disorders like anorexia or bulemia, well i am 5'4" and 150 lbs (gained some weight after the lexapro) and have no problems eating otherwise. So I just wanted to connect with any other social anxiety sufferers... Posted on 07/14/08, 11:07 am |
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Hi! I get anxious in social situations too, like restaurants and more often shops epecially big supermarkets. I feel like everyone is watching me. My breathing becomes irregular.
I try and concentrate on my breathing and reassure myself im safe. Do you get panic attacks? Well done on going to the dinner theatre. The best thing you can do when you have a fear is to face it, and you have done just that. Well done! 
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I don't enjoy eating in restaurants either. I also don't enjoy being in grocery stores haha. I can see why your MD would ask about the eating disorders as both of my anxieties of being in restaurants and grocery stores revolves around my eating disorder.
Im not too sure if its the anxiety that comes first, or if its the eating disorder that causes the anxiety.....I have a feeling its a combination of both. But, I think in regards to understanding why one would feel anxious in public settings such as restaurants, you would need to look at the deeper aspect of such feelings. Restaurants tend to be somewhat intimate at times....as people are in close proximity and become open and adventurous to sharing and exploring each others character. Maybe there is another reason you are feeling insecure? I know full well that my insecurities stem from my childhood neglect and various forms of minor sexual abuse/assault. As well as feeling of abandonment and the fact that I am in the process of mourning the loss of more than one close relationship. All of these are expressed through my eating disorder which is triggered from the anxiety these emotions bring me.. Alrighty. I'l leave you to that to think about it and what your anti-social core aspects may be.....enjoy the 'me-search' :)
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I use to get panattack all the time in movies in lines at store or resaurants I push my self to go more and it got better . then when i tought it was all gone i got laid off after 10 years and it started all over again when i do enter views
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Congrats on going out to eat. I too struggle with going out. Sounds like you and your dad are making progress. I also struggle with answering the phone. You are not alone and neither am I anymore!
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I get anxious as well, I went away for the weekend to visit family and it bothers me to be around everybody I can't stand all the noise I just feel really nervous.
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hey....Im Exactly the same!!!!!!!!!!!
i cant eat infront of ppl, i feel sick, light headed,and i shake.....havent eaten out in ages......cant drink infront of ppl either, my lifes very limited, and i so want to be able to do it, but i feel everyones looking at me,and can tell im nervous....well done for going out...i know how hard it can be x
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Especially when I was younger, I had a lot of social anxiety. On some rare occasions, I'd feel sick or nauseated, but mostly just panicked. I'd feel like I HAD to get out. Much of that had to do with not knowing what to say to people or feeling scrutinized and judged. Two things have helped me. Really LISTENING to the people around me (rather than the negative voices in my own head) helped me have something to say and second, the realization that nobody is watching me or even really thinking about me. Most people are thinking about themselves... including me. I mean, I know people do form opinions of others, but they are tenuous at best and it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I hope this has helped. I've gotten much better over the years but I'm still usually the first to leave a party. Hey, at least now I show up!
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I have to agree with Mrstobe for me it is supermarkets. Something about I feel like I am constantly in someone's way, running into someone, or waiting for someone to get out of my way. It really is horrible.
In restaurants I am okay because I have someone else with me. I literally almost run out of food because I hate the grocery so much. It is crazy.
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Overall...has anyone lowered their Social Anxiety with Lexapro? How long did it take at what dose? Thanks....
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