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Sensory/Crowd Issues Post-COVID

Luftmentsch

Does anyone feel like their capacity to cope with crowds or sensory overload has got worse since the COVID lockdowns? I seem to struggle with things like shopping centres and synagogue attendance much more than in the past. I was diagnosed in 2021 and I can’t work out if I’m just more aware of my sensory/peopling triggers now I have a diagnosis or if I’m actually struggling more now I’ve seen what it's like to spend months living in quiet with only my parents for company. Certainly my social anxiety has got worse since lockdown.

Parents

  • Yes. I wasn't sure if it was because I realised I was autistic during lockdown. I don't go in shops very often now and work from home. When I go to places with people like shops or church I have to do a lot of preparation. The best places to go out are in woodland where quiet or a local nursery with plenty of room and airy.

    I recently had to go into office as the home system link went wrong so lots of people were in. I had a meltdown about going in and found myself tearful when I got there. Fortunately my managers let me go home as soon as it was possible.

    I also find it much harder if someone is visiting at home. 

    I think I have realised how much more relaxing is at home. In the early but if lockdown I found my whole body relax as I had a very stressful time before that. It was especially lovely to go on peaceful distanced walks. Now I find I am less relaxed again and sometimes everything feels an effort.

Reply

  • Yes. I wasn't sure if it was because I realised I was autistic during lockdown. I don't go in shops very often now and work from home. When I go to places with people like shops or church I have to do a lot of preparation. The best places to go out are in woodland where quiet or a local nursery with plenty of room and airy.

    I recently had to go into office as the home system link went wrong so lots of people were in. I had a meltdown about going in and found myself tearful when I got there. Fortunately my managers let me go home as soon as it was possible.

    I also find it much harder if someone is visiting at home. 

    I think I have realised how much more relaxing is at home. In the early but if lockdown I found my whole body relax as I had a very stressful time before that. It was especially lovely to go on peaceful distanced walks. Now I find I am less relaxed again and sometimes everything feels an effort.

Children
  • in reply to Homebird

    I can identify with that. I found out I was autistic during Covid too so I dont know if part of it is being more aware of it now. I used to sometimes try and avoid big crowds before and hated queues etc but never knew why. Now I really cant cope with them,, I think a big part of it is having such a break from it duirng lockdown too