Panic attacks meeting Internet friends, please help!!
A few months ago I attended a convention where I was planning to meet up with a friend I had met online in real life for the first time. I was already feeling a little off that day but the moment she texted me saying she was there a wave of anxiety rushed through my body and it only got worse, soon becoming a full blown panic attack.
I tried my best to work through it as I truly wanted to meet her and this would be my only opportunity, but as soon as I saw her making her way to where I was I bolted and hid out in the bathroom.
I ended up having to go home as I was too sick to handle meeting anyone and I still feel awful about it.
Something similar also happened when I was planning to meet up with my future roommate who I had only spoken to online previous, though I was ultimately able to cool down and make it through the day without incident.
Now I have a friend I am pretty close to (I actually kind of have a major crush on her which makes this even more nerve wracking) and I would love to meet up with her in real life but I just know the anxiety would be too much for me and I would end up getting sick before we even got to meet.
I just don't know what to do. I really want to meet her. :'(
@ohpatricia
Stop and take a moment to breathe. It is a good idea to talk to a listener about these instances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD522iZw8zE
If you feel your friend has an affinity with women, then you should go talk to her and ask if she would like to have coffee or tea with you.
It's okay. Ask her first if she would be okay for a meal, park visit, or church/meditation visit. Have a casual experience with her and get to know her.
Sometimes what happens with me is that Ill get PMs through my MeetUp profile from men who imply in the message that theyd like to meet me ... but they wont sign up for any of the meetups that I sign up for, even when were in the same group! One of them PMd me a couple weeks ago with that kind of message, and became a member of one of the groups that I organize ... but I scheduled a MeetUp event for next week and he hasnt signed up for that. Go figure. 🙄
I tend to be cautious when it comes to meeting guys who PM me online and Ive not previously met them at a meetup or some other public setting. Some of its because of safety reasons and some of its due to social anxiety. For me, dating situations can trigger social anxiety.