Stress Center Peer Support

Hi Everyone. Do any of you experience being light headed when you go into the grocery store or any store. When set out to go shopping I get there and just feel confused and overwhelmed and then thinking of it I start to panic. Even if I just go to the store to look around I feel like if I am not there for a reason then I am being watched. It's probably being paranoid but I start to think that and then the anxiety begins. With the economy I don't always have the money to buy things but just like to look sometimes. I always get approached like are you finding everything okay. Then I start telling myself that I must look lost, etc. I wish this didn't happen and I could stay focused. Is this part of my anxiety??

Hi ali04,
I experience this a lot too and I believe it is just anxiety. Sometimes I can ignore it and it helps if you can concentrate on what you are shopping for or window shopping for. Sometimes I will go with my mom who helps me from focusing on myself too much. With me I notice how I'm feeling and if I'm feeling spacy or short of breath then all the other symptoms follow that, such as getting panicky. I also feel paranoid when someone asks me if I need help finding something because then i think I must look confused or have some funny look on my face and then i try to correct that. It's just not a fun way to shop. It's especially hard for me during the holiday season because it is soooo busy. I think the more people in the store the more anxiety I feel. Sometimes I will go to stores that I know aren't as busy or go during a time with less people. I don't know if anything i said helps but you are not alone in how you feel!

yes....I can relate to you....first off it is your anxiety and its not going to hurt you....try to not get to warm in the store that makes you feel tired and sluggish, I always carry a cold bottle of water with me sipping that helps to keep me feeling clearer headed. Dont worry about if someone comes to you to ask you if you need help that is their job, and alls you have to say is no thanks Im just browsing and flash a nice smile. It will show them you are ok and the smile will make you feel better.

Trust me your gonna be ok. This is a very common symptom to anxiety. Work you skills in the program and keep on pushing through youll be just fine.

I remember those days,and still have them on occasion. Just ignore it and don`t feed into it.
It Will pass!

Dodger mentions not allowing yourself to get too warm. That was my advice, too. Sensations of being too warm are always reminders for me. I usually find the exit doors if there is nowhere to sit comfortably. Or, if there are snack centers, I buy a cold drink (like orange julius) and sip it until the feeling passes. Sipping the julius triggers pleasant comforting memories of shopping with my mother, and that always helps these moments pass (for me).