The appointment

Pat agreed to go to the physician. Unfortunately, he was so nervous (probably social anxiety having not been out of the house in months) that he drank a beer before leaving the house. So at 7AM when the doctor asked if he had eaten or drank anything since midnight last night, he had to say Yes, I had a beer. So he had to reschedule to do his bloodwork another day. Going back to the doctor again meant that Pat had to re-expose himself to something that made him very anxious. The second time was much easier than the first. In fact he wanted to drive himself, which our mother was decidedly against. He hasn't driven a car in over a year. He let her drive, but made her stay out in the car. The fact that Pat responds so well to exposure, is a good sign that cognitive behavioral therapy could work magic with his social anxieties. The big hurdle is getting Pat to agree to these appointments, seeing new doctors. Happening across strangers in waiting rooms is extremely hard for him. But the more time goes that passes between his getting out into public the more that social anxiety grows. It's not sz specific. His anxiety is like any anxiety disorder. I think, as caregivers we see pushing him as agitation with consequences we don't want to face. But covering his psyche in pillows and cushions consequently can never prepare him for the impact of his symptoms.