Sensory overload

AuDHD here mid thirties. Yeah, crowds are excruciating for me. I believe that thinking about a singular goal or focusing on a particular person helps with that overload. If you can focus on one thing, then the rest can kind of fade into the background a little easier.

Yeah, it is harder as I'm so aware of everything now, lights, noise, how close people are, what they are all doing. I think the awareness can add to the exhaustion a bit more too as it's another layer of thinking going on. And the small stims I do with my hands, I'm wondering if other people know that I'm stimming or think I'm just a bit fidgity.  Sometimes I just keep my hands in my coat pockets so it isn't so easy to tell.  

I feel the same, diagnosed recently at 40. Its almost as if the diagnosis has made it even more difficult to go out?!

i am the same i struggle with crowds but for me its almost instantly, i am still waiting for a formal further assessment for AuDHD this wait time could be very long