What could make me feel like this?

[Crispmorningscosyevenings]

When I go to the supermarket I find it such a horrible experience.

If it's even slightly busy, I feel under attack. It feels as though everyone is charging towards me at speed from all directions and I don't know which way to turn so end up overwhelmed and dizzy.

The tannoy sounds like a loud booming thundering that hurts my ears and my head.

Lots of people seem to smell of cigarettes or musty smells and they seem to get so close to me I can smell them.

Going through the checkout is horrible because of the packing and then getting my payment card ready. It feels as though I haven't got enough hands. If I do scan and shop it's better but if anything goes wrong where I have to deal with a person it's stressful.

Have come out of the supermarket and cried in the car on occasion because I found it so stressful. I want to scream in the shops but can't that so instead I get a terrible headache.

Unsure if it's anxiety. I've suspected I could have autism for a while now and I'm wondering if this is what supermarkets feel like for people with autism.

How do others find supermarket shopping?

Can you go very early in the morning ? Stores usually a lot quieter and you can wander / browse easily.

Thank you.

Yes so I should have said, I usually shop online then just go in early on a weekday morning for top ups.

I'd just like to know why I find a simple thing so horrible. I thought I'd brave the shops today because I forgot to do my online order.

Before I got to the end of your post I was thinking autism.

Most supermarkets do a quiet hour specially for people like you, have a look to see if the times suit you. They turn off the music, reduce tannoy announcements etc

My daughter takes her 4 year old at the " quiet hour "
Less bright lights
No tannoy
Not busy
No loud music

I literally could have wrote this myself. I struggle with busy places like supermarkets too. I simply just go when it's quieter, I cannot stand people breathing down my neck when I'm trying to pick things or the checkout person just sitting there firing all the stuff at u & sitting watching u pack it all when it's crazy busy.

Have you tried earplugs? I've found that they help. Even earbuds in with music or white noise playing.

I feel your pain though OP

This is a classic autism sign, so worth investigating if you already suspect it.

Hugs OP 💐

I'd say anxiety. Maybe get a sunflower lanyard? At the least people might give you a bit of a wider berth. I second earplugs or phones.

If you can swing it financially, can I recommend using Uber Eats/Deliveroo/Just Eat for smaller grocery deliveries? Minimum spend is usually £10 and there are often deals and discounts. I rotate between the three and often get 'welcome back' offers which can be significant. They tend to cover most major convenience and supermarkets in the area. I think Tesco offers a version called 'Whoosh' as well. Probably works out a little more expensive overall but if you seek out the deals it will be pretty comparable.

Most kinds of neurodivgergence (autism, ADHD) as well as anxiety can make people feel overestimated in such an environment.

I agree that it’s how autistic people feel, not myself but from friends’ experiences it’s that.
However I should add that even if I’m not an autistic I do feel stressed and overwhelmed while shopping. I think it’s general anxiety and the level of stress in life. I used to go to our Tesco on a certain day in the morning, last week came on a different morning and it’s so busy I felt very stressed, couldn’t focus and think and wanted to run away.
its started after Covid with me but it’s the same time my life became more stressful for different reasons and that probably contributed.
I try to do several shops, visit in unpopular hours and do a list. It helps quite a bit.

I have got ME/CFS and have light and sound sensitivity because of that. But I have lots of other symptoms too.
So there could be a medical reason underlying it especially if you have other symptoms too?
Could also be menopause or long covid for example?
Or yes as others have commented could be something to do with neuro divergence. Especially if this is a long standing issue and not something new.
I shop online usually for a variety of reasons, click and collect has been a revelation to me!

I'm autistic and this is how I feel about supermarkets. I go to Lidl a lot as it's smaller, they never change stuff around and it's quieter. I go on a Monday morning. I no longer go to the large Sainsbury's or Tesco. If I want something nice I go to the smaller Sainsbury's or M&S.

I hate the noise, crowds of people and the florescent lighting makes me dizzy and not able to see properly for some reason.

It could be autism, but that would depend on what other symptoms you have too, as sensory issues are just one thing.. and plenty of people have them without being autistic.
And you can be autistic and fine in supermarkets too. Everyone is different.

Go at the quiet time thats set aside for the ND. You dont need to have a formal diagnosis, you just pop along

Our Lidl is wonderful, they even dim the lights, makes for a much easier experience.

I dont come out of supermarkets crying, but I come out disjointed, a tad spaced and need to sit a while to collect myself before driving off

It is sensory overload. I’m the same, I get so overwhelmed. I’m being assessed for autism next month.

Why does everything have to be autism? Nobody likes the supermarkets. They are busy with people moving in al directions, it doesn’t mean we all have autism for not liking them.

I'm not autistic but I have social phobia. I go as early as possible, currently at 7am but was going at 6.30 when the mornings were lighter. I get overwhelmed and I nervous sweat so don't wear a jacket or coat. I usually get so flustered and panic if things are changed around (they seem to change the layout at least once a year at my Asda store!). I always give people a wide berth because I dislike being physically close to people and will literally move out of anyone's way. It is tough and stressful. I dread going but have to tolerate it if I want food or other items.

I always feel relief when I exit and walk back home.

i would suggest not trying to avoid the supermarket. I gave up driving thinking it was the one thing I was too anxious to do and then slowly found a bunch of other stuff started triggering anxiety. Your world starts to get small very quickly when you avoid things but I learnt this the hard way 😞

I'm not autistic but often feel discombobulated in big supermarkets, it's sensory overload isn't it

Dh is like this out shopping anywhere. He feels overwhelmed and hot and hates supermarkets and people in his way. I do understand it, but it doesn't bother me the same way it does for him.
People are also impatient and don't consider others either , which doesn't help matters