I have social anxiety but work is Forcing me to attend a huge event. What should I do?

[Anonymous]

Title explains it. I have bad social anxiety around people but I have to cover an event that will have 200 people at it. I won't get into too much details but it's a TWO day event, 10 hours a day. I will have to sit by myself while everyone else is in groups of people. This will make me feel awkward and effect me even more. I'm basically asked to cover this like it's no big deal but I'm dreading it every day leading up to it. I feel like I have no way out of it but to tell them the truth. Explaing my anxiety makes me feel like a weirdo though too. What is my best option?

[SugarSugarplum]

Social skills are skills. They can be learned. Don't retreat into telling yourself you can't.

Just realize that you'll suck at it at first and then you'll gradually suck less and less. Go in, keep your eyes open. Make mistakes and learn from them. Don't live in fear, people are amazing and have a lot to offer in terms of enriching your life.

The tree may look dark and scary, but the fruit is worth it. I promise.

[IslaTheWitch]

unfortunately, it isn't true... depending on the reason for lacking those skills, you can or cannot learn them...

[SugarSugarplum]

@IslaTheWitch The only way that could POSSIBLY be true is if you're unable or unwilling to learn from your mistakes.

[IslaTheWitch]

or your brain works differently... read about autism and its flag trait - social anxiety

[SugarSugarplum]

@IslaTheWitch Sounds to me like an excuse not to try. But whatever. You do you.

[IslaTheWitch]

lmao... please, read first how autistic people perceive reality... and then formulate your opinions... would be much easier to discuss. And we try, there is a therapy to help formulate scripts to have q chance to exist in society... but the anxiety itself doesn't leave much space for anything...

[IslaTheWitch]

I make my social anxiety publicly known at my workplace. It makes people aware and not surprised when I act awkwardly or strange. It also eliminates me from public events I don't want to participate

I don't think you have much choice... or you keep it for yourself and suffer or you share it

[AngryCarl]

The thing about social anxiety (and I have it pretty badly) is that you can simply avoid most social situations. Work is obviously different. If this is a part of your job you will just have to buckle down and get on with it. You will surprise yourself.

[Finchie40]

Do you need that job? If so , than just do it , I know it’s easier said than done but facing your fears is better than not facing them at all. So ask yourself what’s important to you? Having paycheck or not having a paycheck?

[curiousmandy]

OMG this gives me anxiety just reading this. I have pretty bad social anxiety too.


Are you required to go? Being an after work event you shouldn’t be but i understand it may not look good if you don’t attend.


Can you only attend for a short period of time? Show up, say hi to a few people and then slowly work your way out?


I feel for you and know this is harder than some might think

[DishLady]

The more you psych yourself out about it the worse it will be. You should be proud to have been given this task. Find a good mantra to psych yourself up for it instead of grumbling about it here on G@G.

[dustybiker2]

It's for work you must do it. Will it be difficult? Of course. I assume you survived school? This is just two days in the grand scheme of things. When you finish you will be proud of yourself snd it will make it easier for the next time.

[Radiate143]

Go. Be vulnerable and let the people you deal with know you have social anxiety so you will have to take breaks from interacting. You would be surprised how understanding people are.

[Radiate143]

You aren't the only one. You will get a lot more "me too" s than you think.

[TommyMountainFigure]

A doctor's note informing your company of a stress related issue that prevents you from attending.
They cannot argue against a Doctor signing you off.

[HappyWoman34]

Just think; ‘I can do this;’ and do it. You’ve got this. I can understand the nerves. That’s a lot of people.

[provokeesmokee]

Why are you sitting on your own?
Honestly I'd chat to my coworkers and boss about being nervous. It's normal and they may have good advice for you.

[Anonymous]

I had pretty bad social anxiety when I was a teen. I got a job in Customer Service.
Going and doing the job you were assigned is a good thing.
You can absolutely do this, and you’ll be the better for it.

[WhitneySnow]

Tell them the truth. They will respect your personhood and give you another job to do instead. One that won’t cause you so much anxiety.

[EmmaMary]

Why the fuck do you have to " sit by yourself"?

[Yannae]

Think of the worst thing that can happen to you IN LIFE. And then compare that to the huge event. It's not so bad.

[DrPepper12]

Is this a standard part of your job? Is there a union contract? This may be a good thing as a means to challenge your anxiety.

[Loner111]

U can :

Just tell ur superiors how u feel about the whole thing.

U can ask to do something different.

Say ur sick and not go. (Don't recommend)

[Anonymous]

been there. done that. just disassociate yourself to deal with it.

[TheSpaceGnome]

I'd quit if I had to deal with large social events at my job.

[jahaims]

Get your hands on some beta blockers

[RedInnocent69]

Attend. Challenge yourself. Run to your fears.

[Joshgag2000]

You should tell your boss

[Anonymous]

Just go