Lived Experience Forum

[jamesle2015]

Has anyone had problems when walking around in public e.g. walking to the shops

The other day I had to go to a shop near work but then I stopped after a minute ..

then I saw someone else walking so I let them go past then I followed them ..

then after that I got there by following them...

it was only a couple of minutes walk but I normally don't go out of the office ..

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[Former-Member]

Hi @jamesle2015

I get anxious when i'm out side and different places, but for me its just anxiety and fear. I often move on a mission between places, i feel better if i have a destination/job. just wandering makes me more anxious. I have been walking more to try and help with the anxiety and i need a specific route worked out etc. 

I wonder if @Jacques would have any thoughts to share?

lj

[Jacques]

Hi @jamesle2015,

I find going out in public very difficult, i find looking at the ground helps me get to where i need to go, i can block out people and the outside, it is all too overwhelming to me, so i look down, only looking up every once in a while to make sure i am going in the right direction. 

i hope this helps @jamesle2015, i hope it gets easier in time, the more you do it the more comfortable you will become.

take care, thank you @Former-Member, for suggesting me 🙂 i hope you and the children are well 🙂

Jacques

[rowmand]

I have had exactly that experience for the past two and a half years since being traumatised and now suffering from PTSD. My brain goes as far as when I am really 'panicky' I choose someone to follow based on their shoe colour or something like that, because I have nothing rational to base my ability to get where I'm going on. I avoid people with red shoes and black shoes and follow people with light coloured shoes. My brain goes into survival mode. It's maddening, but it keeps me from having a panic attack.