why am i so nervous when i know im about to get help?

Getting help can make us feel very vulnerable. It often involves opening up to others and placing your trust in other people which for many people can be a very difficult thing to do. Also the fear that even after recieving the help that it might not have the desired effect. Getting help is an act of bravery and a step towards change which in itself can be a very scary transition.

Getting help can be intimidating for many reasons. One, you might be meeting a new person who you have to share your most vulnerable feelings with. Two, you have to have an honest discussion and admit problems, identify patterns and brainstorm healthy coping mechanisms, which is a lot of work. Three, getting help can sometimes make us feel like we are being judged, or criticized for our problems, which is a stressful situation to face. There can be tough topics we are uncomfortable talking about, but we must share to get the best help possible. It's important that people understand us, and letting them into our lives so they get to know these things requires a lot of trust and patience.

Because you're going to be vulnerable in front of a stranger. Feeling nervous it's like an instinct, a way of protecting yourself. But the person is not going to hurt you and will not use your weakness against you. It's okay to notice our instincts, but so is knowing when not to follow them.

Feeling nervous about going to get help is nothing abnormal or weird at all :) It is a new experience and with any new experience, most people don't know fully what to expect from it and this can cause anxiety or nerves to come around, especially during such a big step! I found that it helped me to look up what will happen and what it's really like so my mind wouldn't fill in the gaps with potential but unlikely stories.

Perhaps the fear of judgement? I know with myself, I always worried what the people helping me would think of me. I didn't realise at the time it was a fear of judgement for me.

It feels like you’re finally admitting to something you’d rather keep a secret, you also feel like you’re letting go of the control you have over the situation and passing it onto a complete stranger who may judge you. It’s allowing those close to you to realise that you’re not as strong as you would like them to see you. With an eating disorder the scariest thing is the idea that you could get forced to do something you dread especially when you’re reluctant to admit that the behaviour you’re displaying is destructive and you’re still in the mindset that what you’re doing is for the best.