I do have noise anxiety as well as 'too much going on" anxiety and I wonder if they're related. Mix them up into a trip to a mall or crowded busy Christmas shopping or a grocery store with a screaming child or too... and it's too much.

I used to go to craft shows with my sister. Eventually we had to drive separately so I could leave when I became overwhelmed with the noise and people. Recently she visited and we went to a Hard Rock Cafe casino. I'd never been to one and after about 10 minutes I had to get out of there.

I'm hard of hearing so it's very frustrating just to communicate on a daily basis.. at work, outside of work. I like that when I get home I get to control the volume. Mostly I like it quiet. Sometimes my poor kitty has jumped when I've talked to him because it's been so quiet!

But I'm like you: I'll turn on music or the TV, but I'm constantly adjusting the volume. Actually, I think it is that there is no quiet time on broadcasts, whether that is radio or TV. (CD's I can handle. It's just songs with space in between). It is the incessant flow of noise from TV, radio, the casino, busy malls.... that seems to be the issue for me. I need a quiet break here and there.

Interesting topic. Thanks!