Can a store, like Target be my trigger?

So, I have my issues. I get really bad ptsd attacks and bipolar.

Anyways, I found from my last episode how I can tell that I am having an episode coming on it's way.

It is, I lose appetite. If I am hungry, I have no appetite to eat, I can go days without eating until my shorts start to fall off. That is how I know the big tidal wave is on it's way (Also insomnia, difficulty to sleep.... it's 4:00am right now)

However, I don't know what triggers it. Can an abundance of specific colors target it? The other day when my thing clicked, I was in target, so there was a lot of bright red everywhere, there were a ton of people, I was way over stimulated by the masses...

There were a ton of attractive girls, could that be a trigger? I don't know if that's it because, right now, in my disease, also my recovering from alcoholism, I am in no interest of girls, Im interested in myself...

I don't know what it could be.

The time I was in Target before that my brain felt like it was melting like it does when I am having an episode...

Does this store, trigger me? Something about it...
It might be the people?

I live up in the mountains in a rural area. I don't like being in the city or around people. I need to identify my trigger but it's hard to put my finger on it.

Any ideas?

Suggestions?

This last episode was pretty bad. All of my episodes this year were bad, worst I had in my life were all this year so I want to identify these triggers before I progress through next year.

I'm the same way - and in the same store. I don't know what it is - I get really hot and really aggravated. I think its just all the people and too much stimulation. Hang in there You're not alone!

I, too, have issues with Target. I think it's the crowds/hustle-bustle that does it. Last time I was in there, I just got this feeling that I HAD to get out. I tried to pay for things, but it was taking too long, so I left with nothing.

On the "up" side, it really put a dent in my hypomanic spending spree! (Kidding...)

Don't fret; you're not alone!!

I believe it can for sure. My wife is mentally healthy but she avoids Wal Mart as much as possible. Sometimes, or is it all the time, not enough check out lines. Other day I went with the need for one single item. Zero self check out isles. I had to walk to the other end of the store to check out, and back. I told the lady behind counter checking me out, politely, if the manager was standing in her place, I'd say how unhappy I was right now, and what she thought he would say. She said "no telling". Now days there is much less customer appreciation, people serving you couldn't care the least about your feelings, store employees also feel they are not being paid enough. I can see how they feel. Sorry to rant. Road rage is also getting so bad I want to hide behind the wheel for the fear that other will go crazy. Guess I can use the word. I hate to see when motorcyclist group in high numbers only to drive crazy, and harassed motorist. It causes me to not like them in general. There I said it. I know most are very good people like the big tour bikes. Lots of loud Harley groups make me look with yuk but I do not loose it.

I think it is related to being with strangers/crowds/people in general. I have days when I can stand close friends but no one else, days when I can stand only my immediate family, and days where I can stand no one. People are always the trigger for me. People or stress, but it is people who stress me, so it amounts to the same thing.

yea, i like being by myself

"my wife is mentally healthy but, she avoids walmart." hot cow man. that made me lmao

I find any kind of over stimulation to my senses can leave me in some turmoil.

The people, the sound, the lights, the music .....

The store can certainly be a trigger for you.

Me too. Too many people, too much colour, too much smell, too much noise.
My senses all overload, and I need to get out of there

WalMart is the worst one for me

I love Target, but hate Wal-Mart. I go to Wal-Mart only when I must get something specific. At Target, I can browse the aisles and it is pleasant. But in my area Wal-Mart is dirty, noisy, crowded, and with long checkout lines, whereas Target is tidy, well decorated, and not crowded - at least not during late hours, which is when I go there.

Also, our Target store is rather small. I have been to bigger stores elsewhere and there, yes, it was like a zoo. All I wanted was to leave ASAP.

Where I live Targets and Walmarts are never far from each other, like Burger King and McDonalds. And we get the same exact Jerry Springer crowd in both too. My preference, McDonalds. Retails are all the same over here

I have different triggers.

I used to work at the Old Speghetti Factory. I hated it, it was months of coming home destroyed as a person each shift before I finally quit. I can't go back there, there is a smell that makes me nauseous. And I immediately go into a anxious state feeling like I am going to explode.

Stores can totally be a trigger. Walmart is my worst nightmare.