Passing out.

[dbeck128]

Does anyone ever feel overwhelmed and like they're going to pass out in big crowds?

[Michdau1]

Every time I'm in a busy place! I get hot, sweaty, dizzy, feel sick, have a tight chest and my heart pounds like crazy. I started avoiding going out and that only made things much more difficult and anxiety provoking. I find trying to face the fear bit by bit and breathing through it. You have to self soothe and talk positively to yourself. Ask yourself, is anything bad ACTUALLY happening? Mind you, my meds help a lot 👍

[dbeck128 in reply to Michdau1]

What meds are you on?

And thanks for replying! I relate so well

[Michdau1 in reply to dbeck128]

Fluoxitine also known as prozac. It's helped me a lot x

[JAYnLA]

Yes I do - it's delightful isn't it? BLECH. It helped when I learned that in those situations my blood pressure actually goes up, not down. It's low blood pressure that causes a person to faint.

[dbeck128 in reply to JAYnLA]

This is true! Idk why I haven't thought of that

[JAYnLA in reply to dbeck128]

Because you, like me, are dealing with anxiety and our bodily sensations freak us out!

[dbeck128]

Yes. Large crowds are a no for me 🙄🤣

[Plz_save_me]

Yes..all the time..

If I go out into a crowded shopping mall I need to take an anxiety pill.

I feel anxious..then I hyperventilate.

Its like the hustle and bustle..music..voices..my hearing and senses become super sensitive.

I have actually passed out in a grocery store...

[Joanne1972]

I also feel like that, my brain can't seam to process everything going on from crowds of people, like my eyes are seeing to much for my brain to cope with, it's also horrible if I'm surrounded by different sounds like different car engines, radios, people talking, when I get so overwhelmed and I start going dizzy, hot and sweaty I find it helpful to stand still n close my eyes just to give my brain time to catch up n settle down. I have also found if in the distance I see a crowd of people coming towards me I stop, look in a different direction so I can't see them or I pretend I'm looking for something in my bag until they have passed. Shutting down one of the senses like closing eyes or diverting where you look helpful. I don't like going out with headphones so shutting down sounds a bit more difficult. I also go out with my cool sturdy shopping trolley, if out at the shops. it's reassuring to know I have something to grab hold of if feel like I going to pass out. Shopping trolleys not just for older people anymore young people also use them to save the planet from plastic bags.

Jo

[JAYnLA in reply to Joanne1972]

So funny - I have used my shopping cart as a walker many times... and I'm only 52!

[ribby]

Yes I worry about that too. I almost never go shopping anymore because of it. I have actually passed out a couple of times at concerts in college so I worry that it will happen to me again but that was 20 years ago. One time I Was at Trader Joe’s and I felt like I was going to faint and one of the employees noticed it and got me a chair and some water. They didn’t make a big scene about it which was nice. In the end I was OK.

[ribby]

Yes I worry about that too. I almost never go shopping anymore because of it. I have actually passed out a couple of times at concerts in college so I worry that it will happen to me again but that was 20 years ago. One time I Was at Trader Joe’s and I felt like I was going to faint and one of the employees noticed it and got me a chair and some water. They didn’t make a big scene about it which was nice. In the end I was OK.

[mamaofboys2]

I get very overwhelmed in large crowds too. If it’s something like a concert or show where I have an assigned seat then I can deal, but large social gatherings or crowded stores give me anxiety. I find myself trying to escape very quickly!

[Pahasapa]

Stop when this happens and take some deep breaths and it will pass

[Hidden]

Hi yes, I feel this way, ears ring, , legs go to jelly,sweating, vision goes, I have managed to stop myself fainting.

Its an awful feeling.

Try and go quieter times build up the exposure.

I take sertraline 50 mg, and its the best I've had and I've tried most for anxiety.

I agree with other posts, if you can,continue going out, measured exposure to anxiety provoking situations is the way forward if you want too.

Just a thought,

If it was a physical illness that created fainting

(I no it creates physical symptoms) and you told someone whilst out, its, I don't no, for example, low blood sugar, would it make a difference?as its the fear thats stopping us going out.

I felt embarrassed by saying panic attacks so I change it. It helps.

"thoughts'and don't forget we are creating these thoughts, we can stop the thoughts too.

Very hard, we need to practise every day but if you halt the thoughts it can't produce the physical sensations, easier said than done.

Best wishes.

[QuintaNaRoo47]

I remember feeling scared when I was in a large new school. I had to take a hike away from the crowd for a short while until the fear disappeared. I still don't feel comfortable around people.

[NeuronerdDoaty]

Yes. When my kids were younger and at home they would scope out the crowd and the store before I could go in. Now I just shop smaller stores. It costs more but I’m not feeding them either😁.

I don’t pass out. I get visual sensory overload and get light-headed. I use foam ear plugs so I can’t hear the background clatter but can hear people close to me talking.

I tend now to just stay away.