I’ve been having a lot of anxiety about going to my sister’s house for thanksgiving. I’ve been having these issues where I don’t like to meet new people and I generally socially isolate but that’s the thing- her husbands parents are coming too. I wasn’t at her wedding last year because I was in a psychosis and it’s embarassing bc I know they’d understand but I don’t want the stress. I don’t cook much bc I don’t feel the pleasure in baking anymore but I might make a thanksgiving meal for myself and my dog while my parents go to Chicago and socialiZe with them. There’s not enough benzodiazepines to get through that interaction. It’s all kinda like panic disorder but I think it’s more rooted with social anxiety. I know I present as medicated to the better half of the community that can tell and I’m very nervous about that unless it’s my family. Idk i just can’t go but what’s my excuse? I don’t want to play a mental illness issue.
Do you think you can change your mindset about this? Because you are magnifying a very simple get together. If you realize you do not have to do anything just eat and spend some simple dinner time it would work out?
If not… 
maybe you can say you have gastro 
Yes I have anxiety too and I often realize once I get over it that my day was made better by participating and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. This is a great opportunity because you’d be making a better memory for everyone and spending quality time that can improve your overall mood. You don’t have to go to every social event, but at least try to make the big ones? If you really can’t go, at least give your sister a call and not isolate too much…
Sorry you are going through this. The holidays are stressful. It’s a tough decision to make.
Thanks for all the responses. I just think it’s one of those things where I don’t really like to be judged. And my family doesn’t even know that I have schizophrenia yet- it sucks because they think I’m a type of bipolar which I don’t correct them bc were medicated the same and there’s less stigma. I wish I were bipolar bc I wouldn’t have such an issue with going. It’s almost like I’m autistic and meeting the other family would give me a sensory overload. Makes me wanna take a benzo just thinking about it- and they don’t help me socialize just with being less anxious. I’m not who I used to be, I feel awkward at the drive thru sometimes. Does anyone else have issues with meeting new people or social interacting? I’m more caught up in how simple this is and wondering WHY I can’t do it…