fluorescent lights an anxiety trigger?

[Mimi1114]

I'm in my teens and lately Ive been struggling , especially in the grocery store scene...my anxiety has been getting the best of me there. I'm well aware anxiety and panic attacks can cause sensitivity to light (and also to sound and fast movement) , but for me , fluorescent lights (mostly those in the department / grocery stores) really seem to aggravate my anxiety , which ultimately leads to some of the scariest anxiety symptoms: derealizaton and depersonalization. I feel like I'm in a constant dream-like state, a haze that I can't get out of!!! Everything feels unreal and i feel so disconnected from myself and my surroundings. the drdp is almost always accompanied by off-balance and a feeling as though I'm about to collapse or faint. My legs get wobbly and it gets so debilitating I have to sometimes leave the store. I didn't have any of this before the pandemic so I don't know why it came out of nowhere?? It's absolutely horrible and i feel hopeless. I heard that fluorescent lighting has an inherent flickering rate (although invisble to the naked eye) and sets off neurological activity , maybe that has something to do with this? please , if Anyone has dealt with this, what did you do to find relief? I seem to do fine with natural light, its just that darn artificial light !!😥

[happytulip]

Sensitivity to UV or fluorescent lighting can be a sign of auto-immune disease such as lupus. 60-70% of people with lupus or connective tissue disease are photosensitive.

Artificial lighting can also bring about migraine symptoms which include numbness in limbs, nausea and a feeling of "being out of it."

You don't have to have a headache to suffer a migraine.

Mast cell activation syndrome is a relatively newly recognised disorder where mast cells on your body are affected by triggers. Everyone has different triggers but artificial blights is a typical one.

Symptoms of photosensitivity include rash, nausea, palpitations, an "impending fear of doom," headache, limb weakness and cognitive impairment. This is not a definitive list and symptoms and triggers are very individual.

This is all from my own knowledge and experience. Many photosensitive people suffer in the sun too especially when the UV index is high

I have never heard of anxiety being triggered by lighting before but that doesn't mean that it can't, but some of the anxiety you are experiencing might be a symptom of something else entirely.

Not many physicians know about mast cell conditions, an immunologist generally looks after these patients. A rheumatologist looks after people with connective tissue disease and lupus.

Please don't suddenly panic and think that you have either of these conditions. It's just worth considering that your symptoms may be attributed to something other than anxiety. Both conditions, when exposed to a trigger will put you into fight or flight mode, which can mimick some symptoms of anxiety.

This information may be of absolutely no use to you. But I thought it was worth bringing it to your attention.

Good kuck

[Agora1]

Mimi, you are absolutely spot on that it is the fluorescent lighting that seems to

be our trigger in big box stores. It is about the flickering and quiet buzzing sound it makes that our sensitive brain seems to tune into. Besides the lighting, the shelves or racks of

items in the store seemed to be too much for my brain to take in. And before long, I was

off balanced and felt like my head was spaced out.

For myself, I found that taking a cart helps by having something to ground me. In addition to that, I start my breathing. Deep slow inhales and long slow exhales. It calms the body within moments, reduces the Adrenaline that may be mounting and allows you to continue on.

Now moments of anxiety symptoms may break through esp. with sounds or even smells in department stores. Someone once told me that they reacted to the chemicals that were sprayed on clothes on the rack that keeps them wrinkle free. Hmmm makes sense since

our nervous system is over sensitized to these stimulants.

I always put a treat for myself in the cart which gives me the motivation to keep going

(like putting a carrot in front of a horse) lol

I hope you try doing breathing meditation at home until you feel confident enough in

using it anytime you need a little boost. Works great when driving as well. My best xx

[Swanie20]

Fluorescent light has always bothered my eyes. It’s almost irritating and makes me anxious. Even in the dentist office I have to ask them to turn the lights off. Then the lights and department smells overwhelm me and I end up just abandoning my stuff and running to my vehicle and wait for my momma to come out. Now I do have an autoimmune disease (palmo/plantar psoriasis). Psoriatic arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Just know that you are not alone.

[eripine]

I have a similar issue - supermarkets, diy stores, office suppliers - they all seem to prefer stark white lighting intended, perhaps, to create a slightly surreal environment / suspend reality / encourage spending..? I have found a simple solution - Don a pair of polarised sunglasses prior to entering the shop ( it doesn't work so well if they go on after you have entered ). I find the symptoms - palpitations, impending doom, imminent collapse etc - much improved, and I can get on with parting with my hard earned without fighting the urge to race out of the building, which I have done many times. Better still, find an establishment with friendly lighting - I have found staff members are happier in such places.