Every week when I go to the grocery store I have to keep my sunglasses on. I find that the lights are so bright. I sometimes feel like they are my security blanket because when I take them off, everything in the store looks more overwhelming to me. As soon as I put them back on, I calm down.

Right now I have hayfever really bad. It's bugging my eyes out too. With me, I tend to confuse real body symptoms associated with hayfever to those associated with anxiety. I think that because I've had anxiety attacks for 5 years, I've become really bad at distinguishing real from unreal body symptoms. Anyway, just needed to vent.

Tricia

THAT IS SO WIERD DO NOT LOKE GRCERY STORES FOR THE SAME REASON.. gOOD IDEAKEEPING SUNGLASSES ON.. i ALWAYS DO BETTER LATELY WITH MY REGILAR PERSCRIPTION GLASSES BUT SUNGLASS AND THE GROCERY STORE i'LL TRY. tHATS MY LEAST FAVORITE PLACE
\JT

Tricia and JT,

Sensitivity to light might be a symptom of migraine headache. You might feel dizzy, lose of balance and nauseous. Does the store have white walls and floor? White background and strong light does it for me every time. I wear deeply tinted eyeglasses for the same reason. All my sunglasses are the big ones, to cover as large an area as possible. Let me tell you one thing, there aren�t that many cool-looking LARGE sunglasses .

Tricia, I am also affected by seasonal allergy. Well, my season is from the last snow in the Spring to the first snow in the Winter, or if I am lucky, late Fall. I couldn�t breath very well, so I couldn�t sleep. And I am a bear if I don�t have my beauty sleep .

drop

Hi guys. Sensitivity to lights and visual stimuli is also symptomatic of inner ear problems (such as meneire's disease). Just FYI.

In all of the time I spent reading different books and articles on anxiety, SOMEWHERE (I have no idea where), I remember reading that it is extremely common for those with anxiety to feel very uncomfortable in stores, specifically due to the bright fluorescent lighting and the overwhelming array of colors, signs, advertisements, etc. I find myself getting uptight once in awhile when I'm in a grocery store or a Wal-Mart, shopping... I used to feel this way all the time, and I remember reading about it in this book and thinking, "Hey! So I'm somewhat normal!"

Other than wearing sunglasses (good strategy!!), the only other way to deal with this is to, as Lucinda says, "Feel the fear and do it anyway." I find that working on relaxation breathing helps a lot, especially if I'm waiting in line (isn't that the worst?!) Whereas I used to get uptight in stores all the time, now, I only feel that way if I'm tired or stressed. It does get better, with time...

Take care!

Thanks for your replies

Ethrdg I think that you hit the nail on the head with me. I don't have Meniere's Disease or anything like that. I just feel so overwhelmed with all the colors, signs, people, and noise. It must be anxiety. I will keep practicing my breathing and positive self-talk.

The past 4 years I've let my hubby do most of the x-mas shopping. He likes to spend money and he's out a lot more than I am. Besides, he doesnt have the kids with him when he's out. But I do NOT like shopping when the stores are crowded and kids are crying and its just a mad house. We just got a new walmart up by my house and I know that place is going to be a madhouse. Can't wait! I do have to do my breathing and self talk while shopping but atleast that helps.
Reena