Reply to restaurant thoughts for someone with agoraphobic tendencies

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's about more than the restaurant.

My advice is to make it seamless. Go to a restaurant where you park in front of the restaurant (lot). Walk in. No wait. No huge crowd. Bathroom easy to find. Hop in car. Leave.

The fewer logistics the fewer issues. [/quote]

This.  All of it.

Find this restaurant and if you have the time, drive past it before the meal or at the very least, tell your friend about how simple and comforting you think this restaurant will be - it will be reassuring to know this.  Emphasize an "out" - agoraphobics need an escape route and often just having some semblance of control goes a long way in making the situation comfortable and tolerable.  It would help if you say, "if at any time you want to step outside..." or, "don't forget...my car's right there."

You're a good friend.  I still struggle with agoraphobia and panic in crowded environments and/or situations that I imagine are hard to escape (formal, seated events, crowded movie theatres and concerts, enduring a crowded metro train) and had to take a Xanax before dining out with a group of friends last night.  Sometimes keeping your fears hidden (and coming up with an excuse to bail or escaping mid meal or making last minute changes to an event like arriving late) exacerbates the agoraphobia.[/quote]

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