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Shopping

Sassenach

Recently I've started to feel panicky when I'm shopping. Nothing in particular seems to set me off, it's a bit random. I start with feeling hot and cold, then feeling tearful and anxious. I generally manage to calm myself down, but it's very distressing when it happens. I'm.assuming it's sensory overload, but I'm not sure how to combat this. 

  • Try small shops when they aren't busy. That way, if you feel the overwhelm mounting you can pop outside to cool down a bit and then go back in to resume your shopping. The hot/cold thing sounds like it's a temperature sensitivity in addition to the lighting that's setting that off.

  • Just a thought, but if there's a possibility your senses are already in a understated mode of frustration, I evaluate what I'm starting off with and sometimes work out my limits (abandon everything at 17.30).

    For instance, while 100% natural under wear is still hard to find, all natural: marino leggings a silk slip and cotton dress / wool sweater will keep biology regulated. While tree fibres like eucalyptus and bamboo cool down the body in summer. A poly puffer (being the same material as plastic) will trap heat but natural fibres against the skin won't leave you with a cold sweat. Dressing not just for comfort but to work with biology creates one less complication. 

    Second, I always bring ear plugs and might start wearing sunglasses. I took an old pair to the eye doctor not too long ago to see about getting blue light blockers with a rose/brown gradient tint. 

    Third, I'll integrate stopping for tea/coffee. But there has to be window seating. All these companies really need to employ opaque bulbs and someone who can position them so they're not directed right into the retinas. I don't believe the problem is specifically sound or light, but also the artificial and insufficient mediums and mechanisms they're being delivered though and the level which they're on at. 

  • in reply to NAS65321

    No particular shop, it just happens randomly. I was in a large supermarket this afternoon where the lights were quite dim. I felt fine, so maybe lighting has something to do with it. 

  • My husband gets this, he comes home in overload but can’t find a reason to blame the shop. Even though it only really happens after supermarket shopping. It took me a very long time to work out that the lighting makes me feel a bit dizzy and hot, especially the trendy down lighting a lot of shops have where it’s actually quite dark or an inconsistent level of light across the place. I don’t have so many issues with background noise because I tend not to wear my hearing aids to do a long shop but if it was a busy Saturday afternoon and I had them in it might start annoying me enough to mute them!

  • Hi is this all shops or any particular one? I don't have the isues that you do but I feel uncomftable is certian shops. My 'safe' shop is the local Morissons, been going there for years, it is not massive, some staff have been there for years, I can park right outside, it is a happy place. i struggle with the big supermarkets too many people, too much stuff and I oftern can't see the exit, I oftern try and get my wife to come with me to those.