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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

  • I really really agree with this. Yesterday I went to the big shopping centre. I often go there on a Monday as it is usually nearly empty and I like to go to the bookshop and sit and read. 
    Yesterday it was packed! People were everywhere, I couldnt move. Burger King which is usually nearly deserted had a queue out of the door. People were so rude as well, barging me, stepping on my feet, it was horrible. I feel so shaken by it Im now scared to leave the house till after all this Christmas madness is over 

    Lockdown definitley reduced my capacity to deal with this as everything was so quiet for a while. I dont want to go back to it but it was peaceful in a way. I found out I was autistic in 2020 so dont know if I am more aware of this now too

  • in reply to Billy87

    Yes. On the few occasions I go to a shop I go first thing when they open because it’s quiet - but I’m avoiding them completely at the moment because I imagine even then it won’t be quiet because of Christmas. I do worry though about my ‘hermit like’ tendencies as I feel that there is a danger in retreating too much from the world. Ultimately I feel I’ll be happier if I can make good connections with my fellow human beings. 

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    I do similar, like I tend to go to the shopping centre on Mondays cos its always quiet so I was really shocked how bad it was yesterday. I guess I underestimated the frenzy of Christmas shopping. 

    I worry about mine too, like I have no desire for a social life. My wife gets upset when she cant see her friends or plans get cancelled and I feel bad cos I cant understand why she wants that. I feel afraid of retreating to much but at the moment being in my little house with my family and going out to feed the ducks or go to a quiet bookshop is the only thing that makes me happy

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  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    I do similar, like I tend to go to the shopping centre on Mondays cos its always quiet so I was really shocked how bad it was yesterday. I guess I underestimated the frenzy of Christmas shopping. 

    I worry about mine too, like I have no desire for a social life. My wife gets upset when she cant see her friends or plans get cancelled and I feel bad cos I cant understand why she wants that. I feel afraid of retreating to much but at the moment being in my little house with my family and going out to feed the ducks or go to a quiet bookshop is the only thing that makes me happy

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