I want to go to Church but suffer from anxiety

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Robert_Sock

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I have an anxiety disorder that leads to a burning anxiety. I want to attend Mass but this anxiety really eats at me and I often stay at home. I’m on all sorts of medication for the anxiety, but it still burns through. I do not believe my missing Mass is a mortal sin because of my disorder.
 
I have gone to mass when I have had an anxiety attack. But, usually I end up leaving before reading, because i am so distraught. I do not know how it could be a sin, since I am not in control at the time. praying for you
 
Hi Robert

I also have anxiety issues. What might help is if you find a church that has a mass say in the afternoon or the evening. There will be less people and you may find that easier that a packed morning service. Arrive early and then you can sit where you like and will have plenty of time to make sure you have a missal and a hymn book and so forth. Make sure you are familiar with the current order of the mass if you haven’t been for a while. The easiest thing is to just get into a routine and you won’t think twice about it.

God bless

Peter
 
I also have anxiety, EWTN has a daily mass 🙂 you can watch that and have communion be brought to you if you are not comfortable being at Church, but i recommend going in the afternoon or Saturday Vigil Mass 🙂 God Bless you
 
Robert_Sock said:
I have an anxiety disorder that leads to a burning anxiety. I want to attend Mass but this anxiety really eats at me and I often stay at home. I’m on all sorts of medication for the anxiety, but it still burns through. I do not believe my missing Mass is a mortal sin because of my disorder.
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I have the same problem, I see others do, too. I find going with someone helps, and going to daily Mass, so I can sit apart near the door, helps. Also, going early so I can pray before people show up.

The earliest Sunday Mass is the least-attended at my Parish. Mostly old folks. I used to, at my old Parish, like sitting in the front row all the way to the right because there was a door there and I faced the wall.

Sometimes we have to walk out. I think God understands completely. Don’t stop trying, though. You’ll find a way that works for you. Go when you can, go to Adoration if you can. A lot. And don’t beat yourself up about it or feel badly.

It gets better with age. God bless you abundantly.
 
Julia_Mae said:
I have the same problem, I see others do, too. I find going with someone helps, and going to daily Mass, so I can sit apart near the door, helps. Also, going early so I can pray before people show up.

The earliest Sunday Mass is the least-attended at my Parish. Mostly old folks. I used to, at my old Parish, like sitting in the front row all the way to the right because there was a door there and I faced the wall.

Sometimes we have to walk out. I think God understands completely. Don’t stop trying, though. You’ll find a way that works for you. Go when you can, go to Adoration if you can. A lot. And don’t beat yourself up about it or feel badly.

It gets better with age. God bless you abundantly.
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👍 This is very inspirational
 
Hi Robert,
Code: 
I can image what this is like, and it must be hard to deal with. I had some anxiety attacks a few years ago, and know what it can be like.
A small piece of advice I could give is to try go to Church during the day when it is empty from time to time, to sit with the blessed Sacrament and pray. This will make sure that you are close to the body of Christ (and if you don't receive communion at home, or outside of mass, maybe you should ask for this). Maybe it will help too, to be able to go to a Church at your own rhythm. 
I hope this can help!

 In Christ,

  Bob
 
As someone who also suffers from anxiety, I have found that going to Mass early, when there are only a few people there, helps tremendously. I can sit where I want to (usually in the back row near the doors) and as soon as the priest says, “The Mass has ended…” that is usually when I make my departure so that I can get out of the parking lot before the throngs of people congregate and make it difficult to get out of there! My prayers are with you!
 
BVMFatima said:
I also have anxiety, EWTN has a daily mass 🙂 you can watch that and have communion be brought to you if you are not comfortable being at Church, but i recommend going in the afternoon or Saturday Vigil Mass 🙂 God Bless you
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I like this idea of EWTN and used for a half year before going to mass in person , anxiety really can be a challenge
 
I find that looking at the ceiling, letting go of everything on my mind, and focusing on God and the Hereafter is relaxing. I do this even when I’m at Church.
 
I suffer along with you and see that there are others too. Over the years I have found some ways to manage this and I hope these ideas of mine and others may help you. First, do not have any caffeine before you go, it exacerbates the symptoms. Second, I go early so I can sit on the end of a pew in the back, that way if I can’t control an attack, I just get up and leave. Lots of people think we sit there so we can leave early, but who cares?! I find meditating on something, I picture the Virgin Mary standing behind the altar with her hands out can help. I hold my rosary inside my closed hands and concentrate on the beads. Each week that I lasted for any length of time I became more encouraged. But, of course, I pray endlessly that God will ease my nerves, and He does. I will pray that you can be delivered from this too and find your way back to Mass. God bless you.
 
Religious buildings have had a tendency to trigger my psychosis, so I can empathise with your pain and your dilemma. I have nothing useful to add (since a lot of good advice has already been given) but remember that God knows what is in your heart 👍

Prayers going up for you, Robert, and for all those who have posted in this thread citing anxiety issues :signofcross:
 
Robert_Sock said:
I have an anxiety disorder that leads to a burning anxiety. I want to attend Mass but this anxiety really eats at me and I often stay at home. I’m on all sorts of medication for the anxiety, but it still burns through. I do not believe my missing Mass is a mortal sin because of my disorder.
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I have struggled with anxiety disorder too. It took me years before I was able to go out, I used to just stay at home all the time and never wanted to meet new people or experience life. Medication is one thing but you have to be willing to take action and step out of your comfort zone if you are to improve. Start by taking little steps. Try going somewhere away from home during the day, talk with yourself, try to relieve some of your anxiety as you go, and smile and laugh and tell yourself “this isn’t so bad” etc. Laughter is the natural response to anxiety relief and will help to flood your brain with positive chemicals necessary for rewiring your thinking to be more positive. Then see each accomplishment as progress and be motivated by it. Eventually you can work your way up to going to confession and mass.
 
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