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

[hatetheshops]

Nearly every time I go shopping I seem so find myself feeling really unwell and confused. It's hard to describe but I feel dazed and disorientated like I can't focus on what I'm doing. I'm young and otherwise healthy... I first noticed it happening in large supermarkets/shops like Tesco, B&Q, Costco. But now it seems to be every shop. I'm wondering if it's anxiety, although I don't think that I feel anxious in shops and there's other situations I find a lot more anxiety-provoking that don't cause the same effect?

Does anyone else relate?

If I'm tired, thristy or hungry or too hot and the place is really busy and people are vey much in my space or we are under time pressure - or if I have start of a migraine then yes.

I think it's oftne my reduce capcity to cope with a less than ideal environment manisfesting as phycial illness.

There are some shops I dislike due to layout - feeling crowded and not wanting to spend time looking - but they don't make me feel ill just not want to spend time looking there and will do more straight in and out or avoid or try and go to one in next city/town .

Have a look at PPPD. This is what I believe I have and one of the symptoms is that being in supermarkets, shopping centres etc makes me feel really off. Sometimes I feel off balance, the lights and noise are too much at times, lots more.

A little but it’s not as debilitating. Also probably autistic. Going in with a list done in order of where the products are, and my headphones helped the overwhelm. In, round and out. I think it’s the beeping, constant obstacles, the kid noise, the lighting and being overheated when you’re in winter clothes too.

Yes, but like previous posters, I'm autistic. I also have vestibular disorder and experience 'challenges' with sensory processing. I went into TK Maxx earlier today, and had to come home afterwards and lie down in a dark room. I still feel crap hours later 🙄

Omg I know exactly what you mean!

Yes. I listen to an audiobook if I’m alone and focus on that.

Not exactly. I do feel overwhelmed if it’s very busy though. I’m diagnosed ND.

When I had anxiety I felt like this and would feel dizzy. Think it was the supermarket lights

Yes. I have serious anxiety and depression. Possibly autistic. Panic. It’s the overwhelm. It is designed to be overwhelming.

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.

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

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.

Do whst I do. Order online 👍

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

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

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)

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

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

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, 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!

PPPD - Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness?

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.

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

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