Close to fainting in crowds?

[SeekingAfrica]

I thought I had my symptoms down, but I've been extra sensitive lately and this is a new one. In the past I've gotten panicky, sweaty and hyperventilating in crowds, but still okay enough to get through. That dissipated as I talked through my flashbacks in detail with therapist and over time crowds became just irritating.
But this week I had a to go in buses in peak hours few times, plus walk through big crowds. And today is the third day I almost faint on the bus. I would start feeling confined and trapped between the people squeezing on all sides, then start getting really hot and everything would start... Tilting, and I start to feel my legs giving out. I had to ask someone to stand so I can sit, and I feel so bad. I'm sure there were many people older than me who weren't sitting. I tried keeping it together but at the point where I asked I was close to my legs giving out and sitting on the ground. How do I fix that? Or should I just concentrate on taking care of myself and let it fix itself?

 

[Ronin]

You weighting in the heat & lack of O2 issues in mass transit & hydration & nutrition, right?

Like the first I would go to. Oxygen supply, drinking, weather, generic health & recent changes of that. May not even be mental, but Im sure having an trauma/anxiety disorder is not helping the ease of travel.

What have you learned for anxiety attacks that helps?
& also thinking you might be hypoglycemic, especially given food issues as of a few months. So sugars on you & fruit & fruit drinks if they are doable, might be good for at least the after care.

Dont feel bad about sitting / the seniors might be healthier than you are, and more stable.
Is not about the age, but vulnerability. The courtesies too, and you *are* needing support.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

Like the first I would go to. Oxygen supply, drinking, weather, generic health & recent changes of that. May not even be mental, but Im sure having an trauma/anxiety disorder is not helping the ease of travel.
& also thinking you might be hypoglycemic, especially given food issues as of a few months. So sugars on you & fruit & fruit drinks if they are doable, might be good for at least the after care.

Thanks! Thought the same thing, but I drank a bit of some generic fruit drink before I got on the bus so I don't think it's the sugar. And even in worst lack of air heat and so on I haven't been this bad ever. And I have had healthy and unhealthy eating times, still there have been close to 0 times I've ever fainted or been close to it. 2ce in my life that I remember and these were for sure trauma related. And now - 3 times in 1 week? Either has to be trauma related or my health is seriously off balance.
Thanks for the comment though, helps. Feeling really kinda guilty about asking to sit down so much, so that helps. Also it would seem hot weather will be around for a while so I guess I'll see if its heat related.

Oh, and the snack is nice idea, I'll try to get something to carry with me for such occasions.