crowd anxiety

[punkster]

Hello all. Does anyone else have crowd anxiety? I never enjoyed crowds much, but my anxiety increased to fear of crowds after Covid. My husband and son are going to an amusement park tomorrow and I really want to go, but I don't think I would enjoy myself having to deal with my anxiety all day. I would like to start targeting this with my therapist, as it has become a major issue. How do others cope?

[fairygarden17]

Hi!

I've been struggling with this too since the "end" of covid and one thing my therapist told me that was a huge help is that if I don't like it once I'm there and I get overwhelmed and want to go home I'm allowed to leave (!!!). This has been a revelation for me. It makes me feel less trapped in situations and often by the time I get there I'm excited about the activity and spending time with those I love and I end up forgetting about the anxiety I had leading up to it. Giving myself that out helps me remember that I'm in control and it helps alleviate some of the stress. My boyfriend and I also have code words for how I'm feeling so I can communicate my needs without feeling exposed or like a burden. It keeps it short and sweet and he knows how I'm feeling and we can figure out how to adjust as a team.

Also I always do box breathing whenever I feel overwhelmed in public, again, it helps me focus on things I can control and then I try to go find something to do that will calm me, whether thats window shopping, listening to music, or sitting down and doing a crossword puzzle or sudoku on my phone.

[punkster in reply to fairygarden17]

Thank you so much for your reply. The amusement park is two hours from my home, so leaving is not really an option unless we take two cars. I have made the decision to go, but will allow myself to not stand in lines that give me anxiety and to wear a mask if I feel the anxiety coming on. The last time (and first time) I was in a large crowd I ended up getting sick a couple of days later. This did not help. I believe psychologists call it confirmation bias (tendency to notice, focus on, and give greater credence to evidence that fits with our existing beliefs), and I want to get rid of it.

[Midori]

I have always been crowd averse, I'm an only child. Yes, it's worse now, if I have a cold I wear a mask to keep my germs from infecting them.

I'm going to a Mind, Body, Spirit fair on Saturday, and I will have a mask with me, but I hope it's not too crowded.

Cheers, Midori