I am a member of my city’s giant Cathedral and while I love it for its beauty I get very nervous at church because of the amount of people. I could go to a smaller church but I really just love the Cathedral. Does anyone have any tips I think you said you go to church @anon4126574
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I’ve tried sitting in corners, less busy areas, still very nervous. I’ve tried arriving just when Mass starts but then I can’t find a seat. What is most nerve wracking is the time leading up to Mass where I am sitting in the pews. I feel like I’m getting tortured.
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Moved to DX’d - Other as this is more of a symptom discussion.
v.
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I’m not sure dude maybe you could join a group to get to know the people there more? I’m not sure how it works but I’d talk to a priest about it and ask if it’s possible to watch a streaming mass online until you get your symptoms under control. I don’t see how anyone could fault you when agoriphobia is part of your dx it seems. But I’d ask a pastor for their advice.
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Ok thanks for your advice @anon4126574
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I watch service on TV. 
I have the same problem with churches and same admiration for mass.
I can only sympathise with you.
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The Acoustics are bloody wonderful when your sat in full dress in the Chancel Singing. Sang in a few as a boy. Cant you just sit at the back? I mean they are big enough.
Does it have a Lady Chapel in the corner to the left?
I stream my services from the local church down the road.
Speak to the vicar - im sure he/she could accommodate you. And im pleased in a sarcastic way - you haven’t defected to one of those nutty “happy clappy” churches lol.
Traditional Book of Common Prayer Services all the way mate. 
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Sorry - Im talking Church of England. No offence meant to others from other countries. Its just i like the tradition here.
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My church (Unitarian Universalist) let’s me move a chair to a very back corner next to a plant. I like it there cuz nobody sits next to me and I can rock without bothering anyone. I know a lot of people at my church thru participating in social groups they have each winter and I’ve expressed to those members that it helps my paranoia and anxiety. Also, when I’m really struggling, they let me bring my dog into the sanctuary to comfort me during services. I’d say that it really made it easier once I expressed my needs so that they could accommodate me.
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Pray about it, bring a friend or two 
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I don’t go to church but in circumstances of crowd -
i use timing - arriving early or late and waiting for the crowd to leave first. Or leave early.
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The back is actually very crowded unfortunately
It does!
Haha indeed man
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Ive had the same problem when going to church. I tend to walk in around the time its all starting. I walk directly from outside to a seat inside without talking to anyone pretty much. I leave almost immediately when the service is over without stopping to talk to anyone. I definitely admire some of the architecture, traditions, art and histories of the catholic and eastern orthodox churches but the one i go to sometimes is a nice little pentacostal one nearby. I like it over others around here mainly because most of the people that attend are ex drug/alcohol addicts with hectic backgrounds and are covered in tats and look kinda rough. Which i also have all those things. And the pastors are so real. But anyway, it sucks having bad social anxiety and sz and wanting to enjoy church without worrying and getting anxious. So after my novel of a comment, i admit i have no advice. But just that i feel ya on this.
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I’m always at peace in churches and cathedral’s. I went to holy communion in a cathedral just after covid
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Im usually at peace in congregations. But i do understand that the social anxiety can kick in and paranoia can rocket in such situations
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I went on Christmas Eve…think I’ll be going every Christmas Eve …I don’t have any advise but I emphasize. For me it’s not knowing what’s going on on top of the anxiety of being around people
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Use ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones, a hat and glasses. It will reduce your senses.
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i wish I would go to church…no one to go with.
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Hey man I go by myself and I’m a huge scaredy cat. Go for it
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