Pre-game nerves on top of anxiety, feel stupid and need to vent!

[MetalYeti]

I’ve ended up agreeing to play an fairly important game with a new team this weekend. I haven’t been with them long but they’re short of people and I have the appropriate skills and experience to play. Partly my ego got in the way as obviously I was flattered to be asked (most teams would play short rather than asks someone they didn’t think was capable) but also I just can’t say no to people. Now I’m wondering what the hell I’ve got myself into and why on earth I thought I would capable of playing. I haven’t played since the panic attacks started over 18 months ago now and the anxiety has been ramping up all week. I feel stupid for agreeing and I’m so worried I’m going to let everyone down, but the stubborn part of me thinks ‘I used to do this, why the hell should I miss out on everything?’ Obviously it’s too late to do anything about it now, I’ll just have to go tomorrow and see what happens (if only it were as simple as that sounds!), but I feel frustrated and angry with myself and absolutely terrified and I just needed to vent and get it off my chest.

[Oosh]

‘I used to do this, why the hell should I miss out on everything?’

Only listen to that voice. When the anxious one pipes up go "SSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" like radio interference right over it. Train the strong voice to dominate.

You're bound to be nervous in anticipation of it but attending this thing is a huge positive. Show them and yourself how competent you are. And reward yourself with the gift of being able to sit tomorrow evening and say to yourself that you did it, you did it well and you even at times enjoyed it. It'll be a huge shot in the arm for your confidence and self esteem.

Youre primed and ready to go.
What have they let themselves in for ?

[MetalYeti]

Yeeeeaaaaahhh!!! Excellent pep talk thank you so much! I may have to print this out and take it with me tomorrow!