Anyone get anxiety in movie theaters?

[Robby36]

I feel like I made this a habit to where I wait for it to happen when I’m sitting in a theater, which I know is dumb because I should try to just enjoy the movie. But I’m just worried and want to get over doing this to myself. If I start getting tension in my body, I step out and go to the restroom, which calms me. But it’s like I’m going into a dungeon heading back. And it shouldn’t be like that. Let me add that I love the movies!!

[Agora1]

Robby36, it's been so long since I've been to the movies because of the exact same problem. The openness of the theater, it's dark and yet bright flashing lights coming from the huge screen, surround a sound system, all this is too stimulating to our all ready over sensitized nervous system. BAM...we get anxious and not knowing why.. Like you I also would have to go to the restroom to ease the anxiety some. Has nothing to do with not liking the movies but it being a situational trigger. Let me know if you find a way around this, so you can enjoy the movie.

[Robby36 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for your feedback. Yeah, the funny part is that I’ve been able to handle it off and on. And sometimes alcohol helps but I don’t rely on that haha I think I just pushed myself to go today. But I think what set me off was since I’ve been having a vision issue, I focused on the opening credits too much. Basically a black background, with white words, they would look ghostly or shimmering. Have you heard of shimmering? That’s a new one for me where between lines, it looks like it is a bit shiny or shimmery I guess. But I have no problem reading. Plus my eyes were checked and im good. Had images taken and I’m good. I know it’s just my stressful period residing.

[Agora1 in reply to Robby36]

I've heard of shimmering but not knowledgeable on it. As long as your eyes have been checked out, it more than likely is the stress. As you know stress makes us open to many weird sensations. I say Robby, get a box of popcorn and Enjoy the Movie x