Dating someone for the first time and its giving me the worst anxiety (18m, high school) advice?

Over my high school years I've flirted with people a couple times but never anything past that, but just last week someone I didn't know that well asked me on a date. Just to lay out myself so it's easier to imagine the situation, I have always had extremelllly bad anxiety and something very bad happened to me earlier this year that only furthered it. I have to give myself some credit though, I'm pretty good at hiding it, but that might've been my downfall. Anyway me and this person went on a movie date, and it was my first ever date, it went pretty well I think. They want to keep talking to me though, and it has been giving me debilitating anxiety since they asked me. I don't really know why honestly, not to get too deep but my father left when I was around 13 so it may have given me some attachment or self worth issues or something, I dunno I'm just trying to find out why I'm like this (Although ive had extreme anxiety ever since I was a little kid, never medicated though). Anyway we've been talking on instagram since then every day, and they wave and have chitchat with me in class, but I feel really bad for them. Whenever someone wants to date me it gives me extreme anxiety and this person is really perfect, they have a good job good hobbies drive ect. Pretty much they are a competent person. And I have none of those at the moment, because I pretty much spend all my time choosing the best options to not give myself a panic attack, and just unwinding after stressful days at school. I'm scared for a multitude of reasons but genuinely what do I do?? I've been very nice and even paid for our tickets and food, been texting them back every day which only seems to make them love me more (shocking I know, I'd just feel bad if I stopped). I really don't want to disappoint or make them feel sad because I'm flattered anyone would even THINK to date me. Feel free to ask any more questions, I just want some advice is all.

Submitted March 29, 2023 at 12:15AM

Over my high school years I've flirted with people a couple times but never anything past that, but just last week someone I didn't know that well asked me on a date. Just to lay out myself so it's easier to imagine the situation, I have always had extremelllly bad anxiety and something very bad happened to me earlier this year that only furthered it. I have to give myself some credit though, I'm pretty good at hiding it, but that might've been my downfall. Anyway me and this person went on a movie date, and it was my first ever date, it went pretty well I think. They want to keep talking to me though, and it has been giving me debilitating anxiety since they asked me. I don't really know why honestly, not to get too deep but my father left when I was around 13 so it may have given me some attachment or self worth issues or something, I dunno I'm just trying to find out why I'm like this (Although ive had extreme anxiety ever since I was a little kid, never medicated though). Anyway we've been talking on instagram since then every day, and they wave and have chitchat with me in class, but I feel really bad for them. Whenever someone wants to date me it gives me extreme anxiety and this person is really perfect, they have a good job good hobbies drive ect. Pretty much they are a competent person. And I have none of those at the moment, because I pretty much spend all my time choosing the best options to not give myself a panic attack, and just unwinding after stressful days at school. I'm scared for a multitude of reasons but genuinely what do I do?? I've been very nice and even paid for our tickets and food, been texting them back every day which only seems to make them love me more (shocking I know, I'd just feel bad if I stopped). I really don't want to disappoint or make them feel sad because I'm flattered anyone would even THINK to date me. Feel free to ask any more questions, I just want some advice is all.