social anxiety + boy's party + homosexual = ????

[lxl]

okay ive been invited to all-boys party next week and i dont know what to do!!
first off, i am gay which will not be so comfortable....
and secondly, i have mild social anxiety disorder so i am very nervous when it comes to going to a party and such stuff
yes this situation pretty much sucks because both of my "traits" goes against this...
should i just skimp this party??

[Maverick]

No, you should definitely go. Avoiding these kind of situations won't help your social anxiety. What helps social anxiety is exposing yourself to social situations. The more you avoid them the worst it gets.

You can get there and realize it wasn't so bad after all and actually enjoy yourself. Life is too short to miss out on things. Don't let fear hold you back on what can be a lot of fun.

[byee]

In determining if any activity is going to be OK for you, you might want to consider the probablitity of it working out as it was intended. So, in this case, parties are supposed to be fun, we go to them anticipating a good time. Ask yourself what the chances are of you going to the party and actually having fun.

If you can handle the anxiety of the social and sexual component of it, then it's a good experience. You get to have fun and exercise some new found coping skills, too.

If, on the other hand, the thought of going is so unsettling for you, and you've had similiar experiences so you're fairly sure that it will be not OK, then maybe you shouldn't, maybe your not ready.

In determining which one, you might want to reassess the party, who the guys are, what the activities will be, etc. Focus more on that stuff (and your comfort level with it) rather than what's going on inside of you, and you might gain the perspective to make a more accurate determination of which way it will likely be.

Most people freak out at the prospect of doing certian things based more on what's in their own head, rather than a more studied assessment of the activity at hand, and their ability to tolerate it. The antidote to anxiety are facts, which come more from thought than feeling. Try looking at it more from the outside in, rather than the other way around.

[Medical Kid]

you should totally go! you cant let those things stop you from living your life, so what if your gay, just try not to get aroused, good luck cat :cool:

[lxl]

kool all of your advices sound great thanks a lot :)

[Titmouse]

okay ive been invited to all-boys party next week and i dont know what to do!!
first off, i am gay which will not be so comfortable....
and secondly, i have mild social anxiety disorder so i am very nervous when it comes to going to a party and such stuff
yes this situation pretty much sucks because both of my "traits" goes against this...
should i just skimp this party??

I have slight social anxiety, and I have made myself go to parties and now I quite look forward to them. And as for it being an all male party and you being gay, I cannot see how this is a problem as long as you know that making moves on your friends is likely to ruin your friendship, so don't do it.