I paid close attention to what was going on with me tonight when I had to go to Walmart (ugh) and I think it's actually a sensory overload thing? Maybe?

The noise, the screaming kids, the people walking into you, the people EVERYWHERE, having to dance around between people walking slow or having conversations in the middle of the aisle, crying babies, having to wait for someone to move out of the way so you can grab what you need. It's an overload of noise, movement, the pressure of being surrounded by lots of loud strangers...the noise was overwhelming. Especially the screaming kids.

I don't know if it's a PTSD thing or not, but I think it's the sheer overload that is an issue. I don't have nearly as much trouble when it's quiet late at night.

I find I have sensory overload at work sometimes too, and have for a long time used headphones and soft music to drown out the noise. I don't like super busy or loud environments and never have. I guess the PTSD or something else just ramps it up to a point of being truly uncomfortable. Maybe?