[jadedbutterfly]

I have the hardest time at stores. Can't get out fast enough. It starts before I actually get to the store, the impending doom. I make my grocery list in the order of the layout so I can go right through without having to go back and forth around the store. I can't look at people, I cringe when there are people in the aisle I need to go down. My heart starts racing, feel my pulse booming in my throat, get the shakes and the nervous sweats . Then when I get out to my case workers car it takes me awhile to find my breath again. and it all doesn't magically disappear when I get home (safe place ), takes me an hour or two to find my center, to get grounded again with all the adrenaline and cortisol running through my system.
Any tips? I do take my klonopin before I leave for the shopping, but doesn't seem to make a dent in this situation.

[pegasus]

Hello jadedbutterfly,

Next time you go shopping, pretend that you have a protective magic bubble round you. You can see out of this bubble but nobody can get in. While you are walking around the store concentrate on each step you make, feel the ground and wiggle your toes when you stop. Always make sure that you buy yourself a little treat each time as a reward for getting through it. Hope these tips help.

Used to. Now feel discomfort mostly with anxiety about half the time. I think that besides feeling generalized anxiety, anxiety in a grocery store is agoraphobia typified. I schedule my trips when the store is least crowded.
One odd thing I've noticed is that dressing sloppy and comfy seems to help
I guess it helps add a kind of "don't care" attitude? Plus it makes me fit in with other customers

Originally Posted by jadedbutterfly

I have the hardest time at stores. Can't get out fast enough. It starts before I actually get to the store, the impending doom. I make my grocery list in the order of the layout so I can go right through without having to go back and forth around the store. I can't look at people, I cringe when there are people in the aisle I need to go down. My heart starts racing, feel my pulse booming in my throat, get the shakes and the nervous sweats . Then when I get out to my case workers car it takes me awhile to find my breath again. and it all doesn't magically disappear when I get home (safe place ), takes me an hour or two to find my center, to get grounded again with all the adrenaline and cortisol running through my system.
Any tips? I do take my klonopin before I leave for the shopping, but doesn't seem to make a dent in this situation.

I can relate. Especially if I have to shop at rush hour and there are lots of people. The most stressful market trip for me is after work: when people are milling around, zombie-eyed and exhausted, and hungry, trying to figure out what to do for dinner ... It agitates me so much I just want to yell at someone.

Department stores are the WORST for me, though. It doesn't matter which one. I have extreme anxiety at those places. Especially the kind in malls where I have to navigate several scary (for me) situations even before getting to the actual store.

(Last time I went to Nordstrom I had to ask a salesperson if I could sit down somewhere because I was really having a hard time... And when I finally was feeling better, I couldn't get out of there fast enough)

(tips:**the market I can manage because I go first thing in the morning right when they open (5 or 6AM), so I don't have to deal with all the people / crowds. And the place is fully stocked! If you are a morning person this is a bonus, because you can get stuff done while you are bright eyed and bushy tailed )

Depends which store I go to. There is this one store called Pic-n-sav. The store is so cramped I almost always have panic attacks. The isles are big enough to squeeze two carts through. The place is always packed, because of the great prices. The only way I have found is to avoid going in when it is so busy. I'll just stay outside and smoke my cigs

[missbelle]

sometimes its best to stay away for a while. Can someone shop for you? Sometimes when things get tough in life certain things can stress us out more like the grocery and the people. At one time I was extremely sensitive to crowds and any place with a lot of people caused severe anxiety.Eventually it got better. Sometimes its not best to force things if they trigger severe anxiety!!! It will let up and eventually you can go back to shopping making short trips and not staying long.

Some people think if you take a close friend or an object that comforts you that that helps. I felt for me that staying away from the stressor for a while worked better. Isn't anxiety simply the worse!!!

Feel better.!!!!!!!..also does your area have peapod...which is from Giant. Thye deliver the food to you. You order online. For me because of my arthritis it works wonders. I order once a month and then will go out thruout the month to get small stuff if I run out

[jadedbutterfly]

Thank you for these tips, they remind me of DBT skills. Grounding with the footsteps and wiggling the toes. Like the bubble idea too . I haven't been in a DBT group years, but I am starting a 6 week DBT mindfulness group in 2 weeks, get back to the basics.

Originally Posted by pegasus

Hello jadedbutterfly,

Next time you go shopping, pretend that you have a protective magic bubble round you. You can see out of this bubble but nobody can get in. While you are walking around the store concentrate on each step you make, feel the ground and wiggle your toes when you stop. Always make sure that you buy yourself a little treat each time as a reward for getting through it. Hope these tips help.

[jadedbutterfly]

The dressing sloppy sounds familiar, that please don't see me attitude. I tend to be in jeans and tshirts, don't want to stand out. No dresses, skirts, bright colors for me. Never thought about it being in the agoraphobia category, does make sense.
Thank you

Originally Posted by George H.

Used to. Now feel discomfort mostly with anxiety about half the time. I think that besides feeling generalized anxiety, anxiety in a grocery store is agoraphobia typified. I schedule my trips when the store is least crowded.
One odd thing I've noticed is that dressing sloppy and comfy seems to help
I guess it helps add a kind of "don't care" attitude? Plus it makes me fit in with other customers

[jadedbutterfly]

I stay away from malls, I hate them My worst attack (in a store) was at a Costco, big place, lots of people ughh. wierd thing is that I went with my folks. and if they were near me, I could breathe. After they checked out, she went to buy a drink, and he went to the restroom. leaving me alone with the cart surrounded by all the people.. it was awful, it wasn't hot in there, but you wouldn't have known that from looking at me, I was sweating, couldn't breathe, was shaking but frozen in one spot. When we go back there, and I know it will happen sometime, I am not going to let them leave me alone in there.

Originally Posted by Rose Panachée

I can relate. Especially if I have to shop at rush hour and there are lots of people. The most stressful market trip for me is after work: when people are milling around, zombie-eyed and exhausted, and hungry, trying to figure out what to do for dinner ... It agitates me so much I just want to yell at someone.

Department stores are the WORST for me, though. It doesn't matter which one. I have extreme anxiety at those places. Especially the kind in malls where I have to navigate several scary (for me) situations even before getting to the actual store.

(Last time I went to Nordstrom I had to ask a salesperson if I could sit down somewhere because I was really having a hard time... And when I finally was feeling better, I couldn't get out of there fast enough)

(tips:**the market I can manage because I go first thing in the morning right when they open (5 or 6AM), so I don't have to deal with all the people / crowds. And the place is fully stocked! If you are a morning person this is a bonus, because you can get stuff done while you are bright eyed and bushy tailed )

[jadedbutterfly]

thankfully my local grocery isn't that large. I do try to avoid the after work rush, and on tuesdays when the a van from the council on aging comes. It's hard to go quickly with people who have a hard time getting around.
By the way, I love your quote!!

Originally Posted by sardean

Depends which store I go to. There is this one store called Pic-n-sav. The store is so cramped I almost always have panic attacks. The isles are big enough to squeeze two carts through. The place is always packed, because of the great prices. The only way I have found is to avoid going in when it is so busy. I'll just stay outside and smoke my cigs

[jadedbutterfly]

It's comforting to hear you say that it will get better. I am working with my T on this, and for most trips I am not alone. But, maybe I am pushing it too fast/too hard when I do go in by myself. I am not aware of any place in my area that delivers groceries. and maybe that is a good thing, I don't need to find another way to avoid the life outside my comfort zone.
carrying objects: I carry a canvas bag with me that is full of what I call my "fidget things" got a little bit of everything. yoyo ball, rubber bands, string, silly putty, koosh ball, a tangle, an electronic hand held tetris game etc. I find comfort just knowing I can reach into that bag anytime to help ease back some of the pressure.
I haven't brought it into the store with me too much to juggle, but I should definitely grab something out of there before walking into the store next time, thanks for the reminder.

Originally Posted by missbelle

sometimes its best to stay away for a while. Can someone shop for you? Sometimes when things get tough in life certain things can stress us out more like the grocery and the people. At one time I was extremely sensitive to crowds and any place with a lot of people caused severe anxiety.Eventually it got better. Sometimes its not best to force things if they trigger severe anxiety!!! It will let up and eventually you can go back to shopping making short trips and not staying long.

Some people think if you take a close friend or an object that comforts you that that helps. I felt for me that staying away from the stressor for a while worked better. Isn't anxiety simply the worse!!!

Feel better.!!!!!!!..also does your area have peapod...which is from Giant. Thye deliver the food to you. You order online. For me because of my arthritis it works wonders. I order once a month and then will go out thruout the month to get small stuff if I run out

[siriushousewife]

I have terrible grocery store anxiety, too. Add to the "usual" reasons to despise shopping, I have the added problem of having to use a wheelchair in most stores, as they are too big for me to navigate without extreme pain and breathlessness (i am disabled). Oddly enough, sloppy dressing makes it SO MUCH WORSE. I guess because everyone is expecting the handicapped to be asexual, ill groomed, etc. So I dress up as much as possible. Cleavage, color, jewelry, makeup, perfect hair. At least if they are staring at me, maybe they are thinking "wow, great rack on that chick" or "what a cute dress" instead of "omg you nasty cripple". It doesn't help that extremely hot chicks are always in Kroger when I go there, and my husband is behind me, pushing my chair. I always convince myself that he is staring at them and wishing I was normal and walking. He isn't. He actually never checks out girls unless I point them out. But I am paranoid about it, and when I get paranoid about something, I will mull over it till mentally exhausted. I usually start out a shopping trip feeling "Yay! Gonna make tasty noms!" and end it with " I am just a glorified shopping cart. I'm not even a person to most of society. FML".

My advice would be to A) bring a security item B) Avoid busy times at the store C) Draw out a map of the store and a shopping list, and treat it like a role-playing adventure D) The imaginary bubble thing. I am an occultists, so I use techniques similar to that. I'd suggest the Banishing Ritual of The Pentagram, or whatever similar ritual fits your particular religion or lack thereof.

[BatsAndButterflies]

I have horrible panic attacks in grocery stores. I get overstimulated and feel trapped. I'll either completely freak out or just zone out until I'm out of the store. Neither is pleasant. I keep my phone with me. It helps to have a supportive friend that you can message when you are in the store.

[Mandi29]

I get them in stores but before that, I have to prepare myself to go into the store, this can take anything from five mins and beyond,,, i have to say once I'm in the store I'm not too bad,, but it's hard work and there has been times that I have just drove home and not bothered..

I also have panic attacks when cupboards are messy, for instance the food cupboard has to be neat and all the labels facing forward but this is also because I'm am slightly OCD,,,

The shopping is something I have only just reliesed I have, and this is due to another friend posting on Facebook the problems with her shopping and how she has trouble, I just thought I was a little quirky till I spoke to her and then understood I have an issue...

I don't want to take medication and try to meditate.. But it does not always work.

[avlady]

i am also suffering when i go to the grocery store. my husband is good with letting me stay in the car while he shops for me. i get anxiety attacks and i can't stand the flickering lights, they make me feel like i am going to have a seizure.

[scatterbrained04]

Glad it's not just me. I've had a couple bad attacks at the grocery store. Completely freaked out.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

JadedButterfly, I had my own problems getting my groceries. Before I worked with my therapist I was doing my shopping at a 24 hour market just to avoid everyone and make it as quick as possible. We worked at exposure therapy. I started going early as soon as my local shop opened. Every week I went progressively a half hour later. She even came along with me a few times and helped me get the courage to use a self checkout which seems to help as it avoids people. I can go during the day now. It is still something that is stressful but I am able to take a bit more time and find I am eating better as a result.

The courage I have gained to go shopping has helped me with other anxious situations too. I'm not saying the anxiety is gone. I'm not saying it gets the better of me on occasion but it has enabled me to do more and have a fuller life.

[Smileonmyface]

i can relate to this. i avoid big-box type stores and shop mostly at smaller stores close to home. being close to home helps, feeling like i can get out and back quickly. i also wear non-descript sweats and a tshirt, pretty sloppy. i also wear a baseball hat on my head. it makes me feel like my face is somewhat hidden and that i don't have to make eye-contact with people.
if i could never go out to the store that would be nice, it is not something i enjoy doing. other than groceries and stuff that is cheaper to buy at a dollar store while i am out i try to order things online. it's so much easier.

[TishaBuv]

Yes, I get anxiety over the grocery shopping. Not only am I feeding myself, but my family has all these requirements and don't all like the same foods. So my head is spinning with hard decisions for meals.

I just focus on buying what's BOGO and one or two meals at a time. Also the basics, milk, juice, eggs, and bread. But even the basics are complicated for us.

I am also terrified of the make up department in the department store and buy my makeup at the grocery/drug store to avoid those sales ladies.

[Pikku Myy]

Yes.... used Xanax for years to be able to pay for milk. You are not alone.

[MedicatedMe]

Yes. Especially when I'm waiting in line to checkout. I just want to ditch an hour's worth of shopping and go home.

[handheart]

I was had also this peoblems but only at a store not all stores .I was not liking people from there and i supose thats way i was geting anxious