Is this your first time? Will your doctor write you an excuse of your
Mental health disorder to get out of it? Mine did once years ago. But
she told me she would only do it once. I did serve on a one day jury when I was in my 20s. Just keep taking slow deep breaths. Try to concentrate on what is
happening around you as much as possible. It can distract you from your anxiety. I have gotten several jury duty letters over the years. I am 69 now.

Two time I called in and my number didn't come up. Once or twice I went to court but didn't get picked. Have you been actually been assigned to a case?

in my own jurisdiction, there is a space on the summons for possible reasons you might not be able to participate. i check the space for "illness" and mail it back without ever appearing. i have yet to be challenged for it.

You can run from it, be all anxious about it, but it’s not really a big deal in reality. Granted, we all cringe when we get called, it causes a disruption in our daily life. We get ourselves all worked up over it when it is not a big deal. It’s just your emotions working on overtime. Anxiety’s perks.

It’s not the jury duty, but your reaction to it. We all cringe when we get called because it disrupts our daily life. But it is a fact of life. You can run from it or step up and face it. This is a prime opportunity to practice overcoming your anxiety. The anxiety will not leave until we face those things that cause us fear. Right now all that’s going on is your over reaction to it.

@tired, It is my second time being called, the first time i didn't have to go., I am hoping the court cancels it again haha.

@mtd: the reason i was asking for tips was because i am not skipping or running away. I am merely looking for tips to manage. I cannot bring my knitting with me which is my public stim/distraction most times. I am very used to exposure therapy, unfortunately it does not work well for me. I do it and have since i was a kid though. I don't shy away easily! The anxiety doesn't go away, you just learn to ride the hump when you can.

Arfie: i am looking into that actually, there is a spot to check off but i am terrified they'd catch me in a "Lie" even though its not really a lie....

repeat, i have yet to have it questioned. not so much as a phone call or follow up letter. and no, it is not a lie. i can't even imagine the most backward of jurisdictions calling mental illness a lie.

I had jury duty last fall in the middle of a health crisis. I had to go downtown on the train and then walk a few blocks which is bad on my feet. I am that pitiful. I had a lot of anxiety about this. In my city, there are questions to answer online before you go. So read your jury summons and do those questions ahead of time. We entered the courthouse, went to the jury office, sat in a large room until our names were called, and then walked to the actual courtroom area. We sat around. We got dismissed, parties settled. People had their computers, books, phones. I think you could bring your knitting unless the knitting needles are considered a weapon of sorts. We did have to go through a metal detector so get their early. I took water to drink, I suggest doing that. If you get all the way to having a real trial, the attorney for the defendant or plaintiff will ask you some questions. The judge will talk. They will ask you questions, just answer truthfully. We were asked last time if we thought the police were always honest. The defendants attorney said answer honestly, your answer is okay. And then he argued with the people who answered yes, their dads were cops and they admire cops or whatever. People were shocked to get the third degree and I decided that if this attorney questioned my honest answer, I would ask him why he was questioning me when he said tell the truth. I mean don't be cowed. But we need good people on the jury panels, people who will have open minds and do right by another human being. I am just saying it is okay to speak up politely and respectfully if you feel intimidated. I also decided this time that I would ask to talk to the judge quietly or privately with the attorneys about my medical condition when they got to the time of asking potential jurors about our own personal issues. I didn't feel comfortable announcing it to the entire jury pool. But it never came to that. They often ask if you have a vacation or trip planned, or have a chronic illness, etc. And I think having a mental health diagnosis may get you off of serving on a jury in my area. Just have to disclose if one wants to.

How did jury duty go?