To ask if anyone else feels unwell/confused in shops and supermarkets?

Yes, but only since having Long Covid. It's definitely sensory overload. I can't think straight and my brain just goes into 'freeze' mode. There is too much noise, light, people, colour, pictures of goods, signage, etc. DH says I look at list and am then baffled by 'beans' for eg. I spend ages staring at Heinz, Branston, own brand, trying to work out prices and wondering if there is much difference in taste. I can't make a decision.

I only shop in local shop with a short list now. Big shops are done online or in person by DH.

Another autistic here who has the same thing! About 20 minutes in i notice myself becoming panicky and have to start deep breathing. I feel overwhelmed and emotional, sometimes close to tears. The worst one was when my big Tesco introduced video advert screens in aisles. I have also had this when being with a colleague in a supermarket and them seeing me be unable to think clearly and panicking around choosing something to eat. It was so embarrassing being like that in front of someone else that I actually got a sunflower lanyard specifically to wear in supermarkets.

Could it be related to chemical allergies or sensitivity? Some people with sensitivity to laundry detergent chemicals or perfumes find it hard to go near the detergent aisle.

Yes, and I’m probably autistic

I feel disoriented. This seemed to happen when I had stopped going regularly then went again. When I do go now I'm a bloody menace to everyone else as I get in their way as I'm trying to look at everything

There's a particular aisle in my local Sainsbury's where the lighting suddenly becomes weirdly orange tinted. The floor is also quite uneven. The first couple of times I went down that aisle, I thought I was having some strange medical episode. DH doesn't seem to even notice it.

I can get quite overwhelmed in supermarkets and do get that disassociated feeling.

Yes most definitely, it is overwhelming.
I feel as if I'm stupid and walk about with a daft grin on my face as if to signal that I know what I'm doing, its hard to describe.I forget half the shopping too, so now I have a lovely Morrisons delivery every 10 days or so.
You're not alone.

I believe it is something to do with the flicker rate in fluorescent lighting.

I get sensory overload. Thats why I like the Lidl and Marks near me, both small so I can get in and out quickly

Asda at 6am is best. Lights are low and there are very few other people, plus the car park is empty. Ikea is the worst for me.

I agree it could be something to do with the lights, they are horrible

I've recently begun to feel quite panicky in supermarkets. It's okay if I'm by myself, not in a rush and it's not too busy. I've also noticed I now immediately forget what I've gone in for, I just get so overwhelmed by the urge to get through as quick as possible and go home.

DD and I just stopped in m&s, intending to get mine and DH valentines dinner. It was so busy, DD kept either asking me questions or walking off to other aisles, the meal deal sections were nearly stripped bare so I had to think of what else to get in a busy supermarket, it was hell

I’ve just googled quiet sessions in Aldi, unfortunately it’s an evening 6:30-8:30. Our Aldi has basically no fresh foods left in the evening.

PPPD - Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness?

Yes, I rarely go into supermarkets. It’s the lights. I get a horrible feeling of dizziness, nausea and just generally feeling off. Our local Morrisons is the worst. It has the dreadful imperceptibly flickering lights but also manages to be too dark at the same time. It’s oppressive and I feel unwell in there.

I do go to a little local Co-op, which has none of the dreadful nauseating lights bigger supermarkets have. It also has better ventilation, with a door at the back and front, and I can cope fine with it.

For big supermarket shops I use the Home Delivery service. Well worth the £3!

I have avoided them for years as the lights and ridiculous volumes and decision making overwhelm me and make me feel headachey. I do have migraines and nausea from bright lights.

OP can you find other ways to shop? I now use our village shop plus a local organic veg delivery or occasional home delivery. Much better not to have to even go. Have also found a small simple clothes shop in a lovely town and avoid city centres. So much more heart and soul and no overwhelm.

Yes, complete sensory overload shopping is a hell i like to avoid. Worst offender is asda, M&S is best.

I find the new Tesco refit confusing as hell .. It makes zero sense to me

Our local Aldi has a few hours a eeek where they turn down the lights, don’t have the pickers in at that time so it’s less busy, could you try to see if you can go somewhere at a time there’s something similar? I remember standing outside a shop feeling utter panic once, has only happened once and I work in a crazy supermarket but I’d put it down to anxiety and possibly autism (for me)

To bright, too loud, too many people. It's sensory hell.

I struggle with fluorescent lights anyway so big shops are awful.

Do whst I do. Order online 👍

I find the going up and down aisles, constantly looking up and down, reading labels or lists all combine to make me a bit dizzy. Plus being on alert not to run into or be bumped by someone else, especially where trollies and baskets are involved. Throw in varifocals to this mix and I’m screwed basically.
If you try to kettle me round a shop in the direction of your choosing, in single file with no clear quick exit or opportunity to go backwards- I’m looking at you, IKEA, Flying Tiger and Sostrene Green- you can get in the bin.
Edited for spelling.

Yes I can’t go shopping. M&S shops are the worst for me and they don’t do groceries deliveries here.

Interesting replies.

I do not have the severe reactions that some do, but I definitely noticed about 20 years ago, around about the time I turned 40, that I was struggling being in places full of people, and that did include large supermarkets, but could also include full cinemas, so don't think it was the lighting.

I put mine down to anxiety. I was having counselling following a couple of other incidents and was told I had "fear of the day" or the realisation that I was powerless to control what life threw at me so everything became too overwhelming, even the small everyday stuff. I only really felt safe at home.

20 years on and I still prefer smaller settings, and I don't like crowds, but I can manage a trip to the big ASDA if I absolutely have to, but I will go to great lengths to avoid it.