[scatterbrained04]

I'm having an increasingly difficult time doing my weekly grocery shopping. Can anyone relate or have any advice? I haven't brought this up with my pdoc.

Lately every time I go, I end up panicking. I get lightheaded, nauseated, nervous, can't breathe, feel hot/cold, and my sense of smell and noise sensitivity increases. It's making this task so hard. I felt this way when I took my son to the mall this week too. I don't know what is going on or why it keeps happening.

[TishaBuv]

Often grocery store anxiety attacks due to having to make choices, especially when depressed. But not to the physical extent you experience.

[imtrying]

I have the same problem. My doctor told me to make a shopping list. Keep the list and time in the store short. No decisions are to be made in the store. If I feel the symptoms coming on I go to the check out immediately and if necessary leave the groceries behind. If I'm with my boyfriend he checks out while I wait in the car. It's made a big difference. I still don't like to go to the supermarket but I can.

Yes, I can relate. Mine got so bad that I had to order my groceries online because I couldn't face going/doing the shopping. My therapist told me to go when quiet, but to me they are always busy.

[RainyDay107]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

I'm having an increasingly difficult time doing my weekly grocery shopping. Can anyone relate or have any advice? I haven't brought this up with my pdoc.

Lately every time I go, I end up panicking. I get lightheaded, nauseated, nervous, can't breathe, feel hot/cold, and my sense of smell and noise sensitivity increases. It's making this task so hard. I felt this way when I took my son to the mall this week too. I don't know what is going on or why it keeps happening.

I have panic disorder and I relate to your post. I'd see your doc for evaluation, as we can't diagnose here.

For me, I take anti-anxiety meds and I'm in therapy for treatment. I struggle with other anxiety disorders, as well, and leaving the house is hard. My partner does 90% of the shopping at stores for us. However, I force myself out at least once a week. I went to the grocery store with him last week and it was fine.

Tip: Try shopping at "off" hours when there aren't many customers. Go during the weekday and avoid early morning and after-work times. It's much calmer with few customers. Take care.

[Unrigged64072835]

A lot of stores now are doing drive-up delivery. You order online, they select everything and you pick it up at drive-thru window. Costs a little extra but worth it if you can't go through a store.

I usually shop with my husband so if I have a panic attack I text him and he helps me calm down. If you have an SO or a friend you can trust that will work too.

[Nix]

When I have trouble with this I go at non peak hours and I also use my earbuds to listen to something soothing or distracting.

I go at the crack of dawn as soon as the store opens. There might be 3-4 other people in the store. I always go with a list. I go everyday so it is short periods and I have very few choices to make.

[Cinderinder]

I find it a bit easier if I go with someone and not alone. I'm still not sure what to do about the random snide remarks I get from strangers, though.

[Mysticcheezwhiz]

I understand. I had a breakdown one time when it started getting too crowded and I wasn't able to follow my list exactly. Personally, I find that the crowds really bother me.

As a couple people already mentioned, perhaps try online grocery ordering and go to the store to pick it up. That is what we do now, or we go during non-peak hours - early mornings or late at night.

[Rizzar]

Coping With Anxiety and Panic

1. Remember, feelings of panic are just exaggerations of normal bodily stress reactions.

2. Sensations are neither harmful nor dangerous - just unpleasant. Nothing worse will happen.

3. Anxiety is tempory. Instead of fighting it, relax into it. Just let it be.

4. Focus on facing the fear rather than trying to avoid it or escape it.

5. Stop adding to the panic with frightening thoughts of where panic will lead.

6. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.

7. Notice that when you stop adding to panic with frightening thoughts, the fear begins to subside.

8. Wait and give the fear time to pass.

9. Look around. Plan what you will do next as panic subsides.

10. When you are ready to go on, do so in an easy, relaxed manner. There is no hurry.

11. Think about the progress made so far, despite all the difficulties.

[scatterbrained04]

Thank you for the input, everyone. I will try making a better shopping list and see if that helps. I'm certain going when the store is not crowded would help A LOT, but I live in a very populated area. Almost anytime I can go that I'm not working will be busy. There is a store that offers the online order and pick-up service here. I may try it. I'm kind of squeamish about not picking out my own meats and produce though. I think I will bring this up with pdoc in a couple weeks because it's a relatively new issue for me.

Are there any 24hr stores in your area? I used to shop at 3 in the morning.

My CBT psychiatrist had me start going a half hour later and later each week until now I shop btwn 7:00-8:00am. I still worry greatly but it is now possible for me to do my groceries without waiting until a ridiculous hour. I used to panic about checkout. Would I do something as silly as fumble with completing the transaction at a cashier or would I make a ridiculous mistake drawing attention to myself at the self checkout machines. My psychiatrist actually came with me and showed me how to run my own items through a self-checkout. Now I have enough gumption to go through a cashier.

[scatterbrained04]

Originally Posted by justafriend306

Are there any 24hr stores in your area? I used to shop at 3 in the morning.

There may be. The problem is I can't go really early or late because I'm a single mom. I'm not going to drag my kid out or leave him home alone during those kinds of hours. I've considered trying to go at like 8am on the weekends, but he's usually still asleep.

Back before I had my son, and I worked late, I used to go grocery shopping at 3am all the time. Loved it.