Why Does Walking Down The Street Trigger Me?

[Dana1010]

I was just wondering if anyone knows any grounding techniques for when you are in motion, i.e., walking, travelling, out on errands, etc. I feel like I could be in a relatively good, stable mood and then I go take a walk to the post office or the grocery store and it's like stepping into a war zone. I feel like the people on the sidewalk, the storefronts, the advertisements, the very sky above are all bearing down on me, haranguing, harassing, menacing. I feel like everyone I see is judging me and dismissing me. I can't stand being seen by them; I almost wish I could wear one of those burkas that Muslim women wear.

I've tried to focus on my breath, simply notice my thoughts, distract myself with music; nothing seems to work. Something about being in motion seems to thwart all of the grounding methods I know.

Does anyone have this experience? Have you found anything that helps?

 

[Barberian]

I use my service dog to help keep me grounded when I'm out and walking. By watching my sd, I can more easily tell what is going on around me is mundane. She would alert on anything that could be a real concern.

 

[Go Hungry]

I don't know of anything that helps.. Most of the time I just try to remind myself that people generally have their heads so far up their own asses that they really don't notice me at all.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Yes @Dana1010 I have this experience too. And it's worse in a mall. My Reiki practitioner explained to me that there are simply too many vibrations from so many people in close proximity and I am a highly sensitive person. It overwhelms my system with confusion and anxiety. I haven't been to a mall for years. I carry tourmaline crystals with me that transmute energy and defuse it.

She is very knowledgable about crystals and their healing properties and she is very empathic regarding my PTSD. Reiki and her crystal healing has helped me more than I could have hoped for. I sleep ninety percent better and haven't had a nightmare for at least three months. I still dread crowds of people. Now that I know why I react to crowds I can either avoid them or imagine a protective shell around me that others energies just bounce off of.

 

[Seasounds]

In addition to the above suggestions, I find that if I, continually, bring my attention to my intention, (e.g. connecting to my purpose) of going out into the public, I have an easier time.

Carrying a small stone/gem stone helps; I can touch it, to help me ground.

 

[Dana1010]

@KwanYingirl and @change, I have a tourmaline stone in my purse but it's not helping these days. I think there's something to the idea of picking up vibrations, but the fact is this wasn't much of a problem before PTSD. So I think it's just another symptom of my nervous system being in the alarmed and alarming mode that it's in due to the trauma.

 

[Go Hungry]

Might have to look into these crystals. :)

 

[Bookoffee]

I just want you to know that I go through the same thing everyday. It feeds into my agorophobia. I need to start to venture out on my soon and I have no idea how I will do.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Sometimes I count my steps. It gives me something to focus on. It can turn into a problem though sometimes because I can start to obsessively count, but that's another issue. The counting itself when out in public helps.

 

[RussH]

Something you might try; find a spot on the horizon and focus on it, without taking your attention off where you are going, traffic etc.

 

[Dana1010]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

The weird thing is that when I jog in the evening I usually feel fine. What the heck am I doing differently? Why is jogging in the evening okay, but walking in the afternoon a disaster?

 

[RussH]

Perhaps when you are jogging you are more focused on the task of jogging?