hate making appointments

cole2458 · Post by **cole2458** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:27 am

I was wondering if anyone else had trouble making (and keeping!) appointments. Whether it's going to a doctor or meeting with a friend or even just making a plan to do something in advance (like, tomorrow we'll go to a movie) I get so NERVOUS about it that I can't focus on anything else and literally count down how long it is until that thing. Then I usually don't end up doing it or have a major panic attack when it comes time to go because I haven't slept the night(s) before and am so worked up.
How do you deal with this type of anticipatory anxiety? I'm always particularly nervous about appointments like my therapist or a salon appointment where if you don't cancel within 24 hours you still have to pay.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:07 am

Maybe when you start to get nervous about it...turn your thoughts around. Possibly write down what is scaring you about it and realize the truth instead. Like getting your hair done is doing something really nice for yourself and try to take the time enjoy it instead of considering it a bad thing. I've noticed that if it freaks me out then maybe I need to forge ahead and try something different. Its taken me a long time to get here but trust me you can do it. Instead of cancelling try going despite that you are nervous and panicking. After you've kept some appts you'll realize that what has been scaring you about it is not even real or doesn't even matter.

CUZ, whatever you are thinking about the hairdresser or the therapist doesn't matter. The truth is that you create the situation in your head and that you can choose to be upset and negative about it or positve and at peace about it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks about you, just what you think about you!

Remember life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:37 am

I can totally relate - especially when it comes to doctor appointments. I have struggled with anticipatory anxiety my whole life. My dr. made an appointment for me to see a rheumatologist next week but I have had to wait 7 weeks on this appointment. The waiting has been torture. I will be a basket case when the day finally gets here and then after it is over I will beat myself up for being so worried. I think that a lot of my worry is OCD related. From the program I know what to do about it but this habit is so much a way of my life now it will take a long time to change it.