Dear Katie: I have been really struggling to deal with big crowds of people

Dear Katie,
I have been really struggling with big crowds of people for a long time. I have to go to Dublin for a concert with friends soon and I am dreading it!
Help!
Love Amy
Dear Amy,
This is something that many people experience throughout their lives so there’s no need to panic. First of all, have you shared your worries and anxieties with your friends? I’m sure if you explained this to them, they would be super understanding and helpful. There’s no need to be embarrassed about it and often voicing a problem can help lift the weight of anxiety around it.
I know many people that feel anxious in big crowds, especially when they’re going to a big city like Dublin. If you’re not around big cities often, it can be quite intimidating and scary but there’s honestly no need to be worried. If you share these feelings with your friends, it then means that you are in control. Therefore, if you start to get overwhelmed, you won’t have to deal with it alone, in silence.
When you start to feel like this, the best thing to do is take a step back. Try get some fresh air, have some water and just take a few minutes to calm down and let the feelings pass. The best advice I can give you is to give yourselves lots of time before the concert to get there. That way there won’t be any added stress or pressure put on you because there’s no chance of being late. I would recommend you avoid the rush our times if you are travelling to Dublin by bus or train, as they’ll be very busy and quite packed. If the train isn’t as busy, there’s less chance of you feeling overwhelmed and it also means you can go for a walk to the bathroom to get a change of scenery.
If you’re not a frequent visitor in Dublin, the LUAS can be very overpowering and intimidating. To avoid this, try find one that isn’t busy. There’s one every 5-8 minutes so if one is extremely packed, just wait for the next one. After all, that’s why you’re going up early. When it comes to the actual concert, if you’re sitting, then you already have your seats so there’s no need to stand in a squashed queue for ages. If you’re standing, wait till most have gone in. The majority of people will try to squash up the front at the barriers, so there will be plenty of room down the back and you’ll have a better view because you’ll be able to move around to see the screens.
If you think about all of these elements and have them planned out beforehand, it will decrease the chances of you feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Once you’re there, try to enjoy the concert and the day out with your friends. Even though it’s scary, you’ll be delighted that you made the effort to go! And the next time will be so much easier.
Love,
Katie x