u/Additional-Gap-5784

Hi so this anxiety started when I was in middle school. I would be sitting in class and instead of paying attention to the teacher I was scanning the classroom for possible escape routes and or hiding places to go to if there was like a dangerous man on campus. But I never let it like show that I was scared I would kinda just like mask (I think that’s what you call it) anyways now that I’m an adult it’s gotten a lot worse. My friends want to go places but I need like at least a week notice in advance if I’m going somewhere because I have to prepare myself not to have a panic attack and the whole time leading up to the event I’m just thinking of all the ways I could possibly be killed if I were to go and if cancelling would keep me safe. When I do actually go to these places (for example the movie theater) I’m wrecked with anxiety the whole time and I don’t want to freak my friends out or ruin plans because I’m scared of nothing. It’s not so bad to where I can’t go outside but I feel like every time I do go outside I’m riddled with anxiety inducing thoughts and I just wanted to know if there was any coping mechanisms to help stop this possibly?