To feel really shit about how people judged me for no mask.

[DidSheReallySayThat20]

For the record. I've previously tried wearing a mask until today. I have ptsd relating to being suffocated in a DV relationship. I spent years in therapy and on meds to cope daily.
The last few times I've come over funny and feeling like I'm goi g to have a panic attack which I haven't had one in 4 years.
I also suffer with anxiety shopping in a store where I don't normally shop.

The gp said I do not need to wear a mask and I have valid reason for exemption

Today shopping two different sets of people were vocal about it.. One was a mutter I could barely catch but I heard.. that's 4 no masks today and continued out of ear shot

I kept my head down I felt awful. Then a couple said excuse me, you are aware of the rules or Are you another young one who thinks they're above the law.. I ignored them. I wish I'd come back with a reply now.
Only ' good' thing was being called young at nr 40.

Its been on my mind since and I honestly have tried but the anxiety and stress they caused and thinking about it days up to shopping day and after wearing one I woild of ended up back on anti depressants because it affected me so badly.

Sorry that happened. I’d practise confidently saying you’ve got a valid reason to be exempt, or download one of the badges and put it in a sunflower lanyard.

Dh said about the lanyard but I feel like I shouldn't wear one.

But yes need to practice a phrase.
In any other situation I speak my mind and don't worry about others but for some reason I struggle with this.

Why shouldn’t you be wearing a sunflower lanyard? You’ve got a genuine issue that means you can’t wear a mask.

Would one of those clear plastic face shields perhaps be easier for you to wear ?

--But yes need to practice a phrase.
In any other situation I speak my mind and don't worry about others but for some reason I struggle with this.--

Here's a phrase - 'fuck off and mind your own business'

Some people are idiots.

I struggle for similar reasons but I've just concentrated on coping with the mask.

I don't think you can do anything about the people who are rude. They are idiots. Lanyards are hard for me too, never have one on without feeling anxious.

I wish I had some advice. The impact of these idiots on people with psychological issues is massive and they just bugger off afterwards feeling all proud of themselves.

It amazes me when people think they know everything and have a right to chastise strangers. At least these weren't the type to shout and get in your space (or you could quote the 2 metre rule ). You have done nothing wrong and it was likely fear that prompted their words, or merely something to say. I second what @PurpleDaisies said. Though appreciate that it's hard to stick up for yourself when the stasi are about.

I wouldn’t worry OP.

It’s like when your child tantrums people look and starting muttering it’s shit but it happens.

You did well not to swear at them. Hope you are ok.

I had someone say something passive aggressively to me and my mum the other day about the one way system (we were following it correctly).

Some people are using these new rules as an excuse to be arseholes. It says everything about them and nothing about you

Yes I know I have genuine reason for a lanyard but think the PP hit the nail on the head. It would actually make me feel more anxious.

I wish I'd said excuse me why are you so rude and think you have a right to question what I'm doing. I'm kicking myself for not saying something.

I would never dream of asking somone. And tbh It doesn't even cross my mind as to why people aren't wearing them when I see the without. It's not my Business.

Sorry that happened OP. It is absolutely not acceptable and they are idiots.

Ah yes the kid tantrums.. A personal favourite of mine... Not! My 2 yr old has started regularly doing this.. Funny though I can deal with that fine.
But get what you mean.

Don't be rude, just say "I'm exempt", or better, wear a badge stating they you are exempt. People shouldn't be rude, but they may feel vulnerable and anxious about catching covid.

I wish I'd said excuse me why are you so rude and think you have a right to question what I'm doing. I'm kicking myself for not saying something.
You can never reason with these people. Calm and confident “I am exempt for a medical reason” is probably best to get them to go away with the minimum of fuss. If they ask for details, just say that it’s personal.

Thank you everyone.

I even said to dh. I had to go in 2 shops because of what happened in the 1st I forgot a load of things and even the security guards didn't say anything and they were who I was worried about.

You're very brave to go out in public (shops, transport etc) without a mask. I wouldn't be able to run the gauntlet, there's a lot of vigilantes out there.

You're stronger than me.

Around a third of the people in Lidl today weren't wearing masks, I did in the queue remark to another customer that young people in our area have a lot of ptsd ... because it was obvious they didn't have lung issues.

The reality is there's a lot of mask refuses, wear a lanyard otherwise comments will happen

because it was obvious they didn't have lung issues.

How do you know that? I have a friend with COPD, not that you'd ever know anything was wrong with him.

I did in the queue remark to another customer that young people in our area have a lot of ptsd ... because it was obvious they didn't have lung issues.

You should hire out yourself as a diagnostic machine if you can determine which people have lung issues such asthma that’s sensitive to wearing a mask just by looking. What an amazing skill.

I think the difficulty somewhat is people do feel it’s their business because we are told that the masks aren’t to protect us but to protect other people. So they probably do feel that whilst they are protecting you, they are left vulnerable.

You do have a valid reason not to wear one but I do think this is one of the reasons people get antsy about this issue when they wouldn’t normally.

@minnieok

Around a third of the people in Lidl today weren't wearing masks, I did in the queue remark to another customer that young people in our area have a lot of ptsd ... because it was obvious they didn't have lung issues.

The reality is there's a lot of mask refuses, wear a lanyard otherwise comments will happen

The young people in general really don't give a shit.

I feel sad for the people who are medically exempt because these are usually the easy targets for vigilantes, rather than some thug or a gang of teenagers.

There are some horrible nasty people around. The ones who think they can look at someone with an invisible disability and just know they don’t have a lung condition or some other condition when actually they have no idea. Invisible disabilities are invisible.

I’d get an exemption card to put your mind at ease, even though you shouldn’t have to carry one.

It's awful that this sort of thing is happening, I'm sorry you had to endure comments from these intrusive and ignorant people. Something needs to be done about it but I really don't know what. Unfortunately there will always be idiots