Who else gets anxiety when shopping .....

[Loveiskind12]

I get so overwhelmed ... Especially when there's alot of people in the store too... Any kind of shopping really. Today I had so much anxiety Christmas shopping .. I litterally become so indescisive also... It took me like 15 minutes to figure out if I wanted to get this one black sweatshirt for my brother.

[matt17]

I get really anxious shopping too. I always feel like other people are watching me, even though I know they probably aren’t. I find that a list helps me out a lot. And sometimes I listen to music to calm me down.

[Loveiskind12 in reply to matt17]

Yesss I definitely think people are watching me too... So silly. But yes when I'm grocery shopping I try to have a list on hand.. makes things go alittle easier. Next time I'll try listening to music... Maybe it will help 😎

[Agora1]

Hi Kay8901, The pressure of holiday shopping would make anyone anxious. Crowds of people looking for last minute gifts, parking lots that are a nightmare. But I know what

you mean that in general, shopping in a store can be an overwhelming experience.

When we have extreme anxiety, our brain gets confused causing us to be indecisive

foggy headed and just not able to think clearly. I have learned to use "deep breathing"

as my instant stress reliever over the last couple years. It's something that needs to

be practiced daily so that when you find yourself in a stressful situation, you can

automatically reach for your deep breathing and it will calm your nervous system

and allow you to shop with some pleasure. You are not alone in experiencing

this issue. xx

[Loveiskind12 in reply to Agora1]

Like the thing was I was happy and excited to shop but then I just had so much anxiety and just became indescisive on what to get people, I just became down and couldn't wait to get out...I was just over the whole situation really .. thats why most of the time I just do gift cards. But yes everything you have said makes complete sense... Definitely have to practice the breathing technique more. Thank you for your input 😉

[Agora1 in reply to Loveiskind12]

Kay, I do all my shopping on the internet. I just finished my wrapping today.

I usually have a plan in mind of what I want to get someone and then work

around that theme. I don't think I could think that clearly in the store plus

I would get exhausted running around. (I have Fibromyalgia)

Even though I'm at home on the computer, I'm always using my deep breathing

through the day. And especially when I'm on the forum. It allows me to lower

my emotional level when responding. Enjoy the holidays! xx

[Loveiskind12 in reply to Agora1]

Well I think I definitely will be doing online shopping next year! Thank you, hope you enjoy the holidays! 😎🎄✨

[tamka38]

Am always anxious when I go to stores especially Walmart them lights always send me into panic mode and sometimes

I can run in and out others times I have to get out small stores I can do I haven’t been to the mall because of anxiety and it always take me forever to make my mind up on what I want it drives me crazy

[Loveiskind12 in reply to tamka38]

Yesss for some reason I always get anxiety going into Walmart too. I don't know..like just everything about it.. and I always end up staying in there for a long time too.. and I barely go to the mall.. too many people

[Agora1 in reply to tamka38]

Hi tamka. the big box stores with the high ceilings and fluorescent lighting can send

an anxious person into panic mode. The lighting buzzes as well as flickers from time to time and our sensitive hearing tunes

into that. The high ceilings gives us a feeling of insecurity, too much space around us.

More recently I read about the scent on the racks and racks of clothes due to them being

sprayed can cause us anxiety. We are sensitive to sounds, smells and lighting. As for the malls, that's more about the over stimulation to our eyes as we inadvertently see people

all around us moving. Wearing a pair of sunglasses can help. If you are willing to go the

extra step, finding a pair of sunglasses with blinders on the sides would cure that off balanced feeling and reduce your anxiety.

Anxiety is a different kind of bird with many feathers. Take care my friend xx

[tamka38 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I am exactly the same. At whatever time of the year it is I prepare way in advance to avoid crowds. Anxiety will come upon me in a heartbeat. So don’t feel alone in this. There are many who go through what we feel. The best thing on your part is you have gotten through it. I give you a lot of credit. 👍🏻

Also with experiencing such anxiety it will affect your decision making too. What you went through is a normal reaction with such anxiety. 😊

[Loveiskind12 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😃 ... I always tell myself every year that I need to be more prepared and start early with any holiday shopping but that never happens...I'm just so last minute .. grrr

[ma65]

I know this post is several days old but it made me smile when you said you think people are watching you when shopping. I get that same feeling & i start looking at people to see if they are looking at me. So it turns out iam the one doing the staring not them. I also can start sweating & feel strange in the big stores & carnt wait to get out. Agora1 said the lights etc can have an affect on you. That reminded me of something i heard years ago that some people can be sensitive to the electrical systems in these big stores.

[Loveiskind12 in reply to ma65]

Lol yes that's funny , we end up looking at other people ... I just end up getting overwhelmed and can't wait to be done with my shopping.

[ma65 in reply to Loveiskind12]

& then when you get to the checkout you start worrying that your not going fast enough & your holding the whole store up. Lol

[Loveiskind12 in reply to ma65]

Lol yesss and then I get so much anxiety looking how much I spent and always going over my budget.

[Hidden]

I do too I have difficulty to go shopping or work I still do go but it’s sometimes make me freeze I can’t move I panic specially if it’s lots of people sometimes I even cry

[Loveiskind12 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I feel you on that ... The funny thing is I work in a retail store.. don't know how I've lasted so long lol

[Hidden in reply to Loveiskind12]

Ha ha ha I’m glad you have that’s already achievement !