Hi! Is you social anxiety limited to restaurants? Or do you find yourself anxious in other social situations as well? Is there something that has happened at a restaurant before that might trigger your anxiety? I also wonder if it could be some sort of sensory overload that makes you feel anxious at restaurants. Typically there are so many different sounds, sights, smells, etc.

I also get anxiety eating out due to celiac disease and IBS. I've been glutened 3 times now and gotten sick. I've also had problems with agoraphobia because of being housebound for about 2 of 3 years. My pdoc just suggested taking a higher dose of my anxiety med for awhile to get things under control. I've had two good days so far out of 5. My pdoc is also a hospitalist.

If you don't have any appetite maybe you could agree to just agree to meet for a drink at the restaurant, just get water, and then go home. If that is too much don't agree to eating out but try driving to the restaurant and then home. Tiny steps. Ive had to push myself to slowly get back out in the world. If you can do deep breathing on the way to your destination or listen to a meditation tape it might help.

I would talk to the doctor about this. Find something that will work for you. I'm sure someone here will give you good advice. Good luck.