Going To The Mall....

[watchdog]

Just wondering if this is normal, I went to the mall today by myself, sat there for quite awhile......after I got home I was absalutley drained, physically, mentally and emotionally........is this a normal reaction, what would have caused it.......nothing bad happened, just quite a few people there.

 

[Jimmy1]

Yes mate, it is all normal. Hypervigilence is a real bitch. Your tensed waiting for something to happen, your anxiety would be up and so forth and so forth. It does not happen every time for me. If I go on a quiet day, it can be good, but as soon as too many people start cutting in front of me and kids start crying, thats it.

I want one of those golf cart type things they have in the big malls with the flashing light and siren.
And a loud speaker saying f*ck off out of my way, coming through.

 

[watchdog]

Yes mate, it is all normal. Hypervigilence is a real bitch. Your tensed waiting for something to happen, your anxiety would be up and so forth and so forth. It does not happen every time for me. If I go on a quiet day, it can be good, but as soon as too many people start cutting in front of me and kids start crying, thats it.

I want one of those golf cart type things they have in the big malls with the flashing light and siren.
And a loud speaker saying f*ck off out of my way, coming through.

lol, that would deff make them move, I did notice myself scanning ahead of me planning my route around people, and having back up plans if those people were to switch places or move etc.....makes sense. Thanks.

 

[Ned]

What Jimmy said. But you did good. See what Anthony has to say about hyper-vigilance and exposure therapy.
Without over-doing it, a little bit at a time when you're up to it can have good results.
Plan to do it, plan how far and how much you're going to do, and have a bog-out plan.
Practice, practice.

 

[Jimmy1]

Prior, Preparation, and Planning. Think about the festive season approaching. The shopping malls are going to be crowded and a real bitch. I am going to take Xanax or a Valium before heading anywhere.

 

[Ned]

Prior, Preparation, and Planning. Think about the festive season approaching. The shopping malls are going to be crowded and a real bitch. I am going to take Xanax or a Valium before heading anywhere.

Er, yes. Good point, well presented. Watchdog, take note.

 

[Anglesachse]

I went to the local christmas market and winter fair on thursday, locked up shop, grabbed the misses grabbed me and the nipper, and of we toddled. it had been a stressful day oh the shop anyway, what with the kids and their parents christmas shopping. But I got to the first stand on the market, managed to get my Glühwein and a steak roll down my neck with it building in side. I met my misses at this bloddy thing 20 year ago, so it`s real special for her to go with me, but boy was I glad to get out of there. way to many people, way to much noise, and way to many flashing f*cking lights.

so yeah what jimmy said about

Prior, Preparation, and Planning. Think about the festive season approaching. The shopping malls are going to be crowded and a real bitch.

you realy need to do. I hadn`t thought of it what so ever, and almost crashed, we are gonna go again tonight, but on "my turns" and with "my rules". so yeah, the 5 P`s are important "Planning and Preperation Prevent Pisspoor Performance"

 

[Fargo1]

Watchdog,

Yep, been there, live that. I get it at malls, restaurants, concerts, walking down the street....But it is getting better. I have been slowly moving from small restaurants without music, to larger restaurants/bars. So far I am at about 60/40 in the doing well with it. But even when it is bad, it is not as horrific as it was six months ago. I have learned to know how to feel it coming on and get myself out of there ASAP. Sometimes I can use the orientation techniques I have learned to calm myself down and be able to go back inside! My psych tells me not to stick around when I feel it coming on as it will re-traumatize me and make it worse. So go slow and easy. Don't overdo it. But it will get better.

 

[Deleted member 43219]

When i go to the mall, Im constantly searching for good firing positions etc and get distracted from whats actually happening running scenarios through my mind. I used to enjoy going to the city to look around etc, now not so much.

I don't get Traumatized though. I'm thankful for that.

 

[reddevil1111]

For my, I watch the hands. I am charting the flow of prople to get through but I have to see everyones hand to feel safe. No weapons or sudden moves and I let you live.
Big thing imo is dont go to a mall. I dont. The internet solved 99% of my shopping needs. Why subjuct yourself to a mall if you dont need to?

 

[Wagon]

Exits are pretty important to me. I need to see a way out just in case......... There is a fire or explosion or aliens attack or some shit. All in my head. People behind me freaks me out and makes me self conscious. People crowded and moving slowly in front of me makes me agressive. Stupid battle stations alarm response.

At least I know what it is though. And it has gotten mildly better. Jimmy is right. Planning planning planning.

Wagon

 

[Jimmy1]

The whole scanning our arcs and exits will forever be. Unless we can uncondition ourselves, but then again we should look at it as a positive. If there was a bomb scare or a fire, we would know the quickest route to the exit, then again, being trained to go to danger, we would probably hang around a direct people.

So that being said, its the anxiety which we have to manage.

I don't go on busy days unless I have to, and if I do go when its busy i usually have Margaret and she ensures I take a couple of chill pills prior (Xanax).

Shopping online is the way to go though. I bought New Balance Joggers for $100 cheaper with free shipping from the UK and have bought numerous PC stuff and DVD's from other countries.