I have suffered from social anxiety for years.  How does it work for me?  My coping mechanism for years has been to get sick or not feel well when it was time to attend something that caused me dread and brought on anxiety feelings...  mostly an intense sense of dread for me.   I am able to compartmentalize until it is almost time to do it ..... but, it is in the back of my mind for a week or more ahead of time!  Do any of you do this?   I have disappointed my spouse time and again ....  rarely does anyone know that I am really not physically sick but mentally sick....  how do you cope? It seems like it has gotten worse as a result of the isolation year of Covid...

  I have tried a few antidepressants over the years... the only one that I noted a real improvement (Paxil) was huge.  I actually LOST the dread factor and looked forward to going.  BUT, it made me sleepy and unable to function sexually....   so that did not work.  I have tried others but no real major improvement.   The most recent caused me to have the worst insomnia ever.   

Would love to hear things that help you.