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Recently, I've realized that certain environments cause anxiety for me, but with uncertainty as to how it gets triggered. It drives me crazy and find myself wanting to leave.
Example A: at a crowded bar with friends, but with lots of noise and movement. At a certain point, I find myself wanting to go outside for a while to stop the racing heart, but sometimes happens during a chatting moment.
Example B: girlfriend gets sick, but her temporary illness and living space sometimes causes anxiety for me (trying to figure this out) and find myself wanting to leave because it gets me nervous and depressed.
Example C: Airplanes and Subways make me really uneasy due to noise, people and fast movement overall.
Is this a behavioral issue? Social anxiety? I don't know if something in my childhood caused a switch or it's genetic. Not sure if cognitive behavioral therapy would help fix this. Sometimes I feel heartless if I walk away from someone I care about that is in need or that went out of their way to do something for me but getting driven out by but anxiety. I hate to be the odd one out and feel alone on it but only someone who has it would understand.
I can relate. I USED to get freaked out in malls, for no apparent reason. I got over it. I think it was general anxiety and I just attached certain places to it during a certain phase of life (it would be lunch time at the mall when I was working a corporate job). I am sure something unconscious initially triggered it, then it became a habit. I don't have this problem at all now, so I think it's about getting a grip on the root anxiety.
Is this a behavioral issue? Social anxiety? I don't know if something in my childhood caused a switch or it's genetic. Not sure if cognitive behavioral therapy would help fix this.
Well, either you try to do something about it or you don't. Most people don't react the way you've written and it doesn't sound fun (otherwise you wouldn't have created a thread).
Recently, I've realized that certain environments cause anxiety for me, but with uncertainty as to how it gets triggered. It drives me crazy and find myself wanting to leave.
Example A: at a crowded bar with friends, but with lots of noise and movement. At a certain point, I find myself wanting to go outside for a while to stop the racing heart, but sometimes happens during a chatting moment.
Example B: girlfriend gets sick, but her temporary illness and living space sometimes causes anxiety for me (trying to figure this out) and find myself wanting to leave because it gets me nervous and depressed.
Example C: Airplanes and Subways make me really uneasy due to noise, people and fast movement overall.
Is this a behavioral issue? Social anxiety? I don't know if something in my childhood caused a switch or it's genetic. Not sure if cognitive behavioral therapy would help fix this. Sometimes I feel heartless if I walk away from someone I care about that is in need or that went out of their way to do something for me but getting driven out by but anxiety. I hate to be the odd one out and feel alone on it but only someone who has it would understand.
Example A and C sound similar; commotion, crowding, sensory overload. Example B is quite different. A counselor could probably help you tease apart what aspects of those situations create anxiety for you. There could be several different things going on, but none of us know you well enough to guess.
I'm not a huge fun of crowded places. When I am alone, I don't like going to places with lots of people cause it's a bit stressful. Lots of noice, lots of things happening. Recently I read an article about low latent inhibition, and it sounded a bit like me.
But whatever it is, do what you feel like doing. if you need a moment to breathe, just breathe. If you need some peace and quiet, choose a quiet place. Maybe you're more of an introvert than other people.
If you feel like it gets in the way of your happiness you can always go to a professional and ask for help.
Don't worry too much Good luck mate!
I could seek help but it's tough to do it without family knowing. Especially it being pricey. You would figure it would be best to talk to friends first, but you get less judgement from strangers. You get a better understanding from those who go through it. I tend to be somewhat of an introvert but can be extroverted whenever. It's a fair mix.
Recently, I've realized that certain environments cause anxiety for me, but with uncertainty as to how it gets triggered. It drives me crazy and find myself wanting to leave.
Example A: at a crowded bar with friends, but with lots of noise and movement. At a certain point, I find myself wanting to go outside for a while to stop the racing heart, but sometimes happens during a chatting moment.
Example B: girlfriend gets sick, but her temporary illness and living space sometimes causes anxiety for me (trying to figure this out) and find myself wanting to leave because it gets me nervous and depressed.
Example C: Airplanes and Subways make me really uneasy due to noise, people and fast movement overall.
Is this a behavioral issue? Social anxiety? I don't know if something in my childhood caused a switch or it's genetic. Not sure if cognitive behavioral therapy would help fix this. Sometimes I feel heartless if I walk away from someone I care about that is in need or that went out of their way to do something for me but getting driven out by but anxiety. I hate to be the odd one out and feel alone on it but only someone who has it would understand.
I've got this, to an extent. Sometimes, that's just the way it is, and worrying about it only makes things worse.
Try working as a cashier (at a supermarket) in the afternoon/early evening. It's good until 2-3 PM, then we get lines that last up to 10 minutes at a time. On top of it, soccer moms with their idiot kids come in. I have actually blown up at them. Yesterday, I told a kid to stop screeching THREE TIMES. Some of the customers are soft spoken and don't know how to speak up. I have to repeat myself 3, 4, or 5 times. I want to work mornings, when that is uncommon. For that matter, I have never been to tourist traps like zoos or Disney in my life. Multiply what I have to deal with times 100. On top of that, I live with my mommy and my younger brother. I can't move out and can't until I finally can.
I've got this, to an extent. Sometimes, that's just the way it is, and worrying about it only makes things worse.
It's so troublesome. Toughest part is really trying to divert your mind onto something else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ProudAtheist
Try working as a cashier (at a supermarket) in the afternoon/early evening. It's good until 2-3 PM, then we get lines that last up to 10 minutes at a time. On top of it, soccer moms with their idiot kids come in. I have actually blown up at them. Yesterday, I told a kid to stop screeching THREE TIMES. Some of the customers are soft spoken and don't know how to speak up. I have to repeat myself 3, 4, or 5 times. I want to work mornings, when that is uncommon. For that matter, I have never been to tourist traps like zoos or Disney in my life. Multiply what I have to deal with times 100. On top of that, I live with my mommy and my younger brother. I can't move out and can't until I finally can.
I've worked retail years ago. I do understand the frustration. Clothing store, got occasionally called to ring... what a nightmare. Despised it. Anxiousness, rude people, psycho coupon ladies that need an in-depth analysis of what's on the screen, do math in their head like they should be in charge of the total price, annoying kids running around, bad parenting. List goes on my friend.
You actually sound pretty insightful and have given a lot of thought to what triggers your anxiety. That is way better than a lot of people who can't ever step back and figure out what sets them off.
Given that you know that loud, busy chaotic environments are potentially problematic, can you proactively step outside or step away from the conversation before it gets bad? Sort of start the evening with the plan to take a break at a certain time and get a few minutes of calm every now and then?
I think that being aware of problem situations gives you a lot more control over the outcome.
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Good luck mate!
