Crowds and Other People

[Viridian Talespinner]

I feel really sick, uncomfortable, and I sweat buckets around people, especially crowds. Is this Dyspraxia? If yes, does anyone have any tips to allieviate or prevent discomfort? Thank You sincerely in advance.

[CakeorDeath]

It might be agoraphobia or social anxiety disorder. You might want to talk to a doctor about it, because you could get some professional therapy for it.

I am lucky in that I don't get it as bad, but I find it helpful to take a moment just to take a deep breath and allow myself to leave the situation in my mind. If possible you could close your eyes, breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth and think about a peaceful image. My one is where I'm lying on a beach, and the waves are lapping around my feet, it's towards the end of the day but I'm not in a rush, and I'm so warm and happy. Think of a time when you were completely relaxed and content, like looking up at a gorgeous blue sky in a field, or being snuggled up in blankets in front of a fire, with the rain outside and crumpets inside. I realise that this isn't totally practical, and it might not help you though.

A lot of people don't like crowds, so you're not alone. What about wearing ear plugs? This might make you feel less overwhemled.

Sorry it's so hard for you and good luck *hugs*

[Remus]

I'm totally the same, absolutely hate crowds of any kind. I just get really nervous, sweat like mad and just feel really uncomfortable but only when I am on my own, I'm fine if I'm with someone else.

I tend to try to avoid crowds which works most of the time but obviously that is not practical all the time. I just to try to take some deep breaths and try and get through crowds as fast as possible.

[Viridian Talespinner]

Thank You!

[abi]

i use a hat and look down, i find this helps sometimes, avoiding peoples eyes.

i try to blok out as mnuch sensory input as i can, peaked hat (you might like sunglasses too), ear plugs/muffs, breathing through your mouth instead of your nose, and trying to move to an area where touching is less likley.

i often find it easier if im not on my own too.

i do try to relax, i use meditative techniques that i learned with a master, but cakeordeath's method is good.

if it is affecting you noticably, or you are avoiding anything because of it, speak to your Dr, OT, or any other health professionl, there is help out there.

[James Brimer]

I don't get sick in crowds. I just start to shake, get really stressed, and sometimes not move. I think the best thing to do is to avoid crowds.

[Viridian Talespinner]

I found what causes it!
I have Asperger's Syndrome as well as Dyspraxia! I was diagnosed when I was ten, but my parents didn't tell me at the time as I was being bullied and they thought I'd be upset, but I'm glad I know. Thank You for the advice, everyone.

[bpcooper]

Well alot of us here ourselves have Asperger syndrome including me so we know how difficult crowds can be sometimes.

[MARK]

YEAH I HATE CROWDS I GET VERY NERVOUSE AND ANXIOUSE

[madame_tigre]

I hate crowds - I find them so stressful and confusing and a struggle to get through when I'm in a rush. I also hate the intimacy on packed trains too - I like my own space, thank you very much.

[Alice]

I dislike crowds intensely. I'm claustrophobic, and my brain reacts badly to being bombarded by sensory imput (noise, touch, strong smells, etc), I'm also generaly nervous around people.

At freshers fair this year it was very crowded, which I was just about coping with and then we got to the main room where they had decided to make things more exciting by having loud music. My brain crashed and took several hours to get back to normal. I completley stopped compensating for my balance and coordination, and I lost the ability to talk. Most student events seem to be made "more student friendly" to the extent of being inacessable to me. I didn't get to look at half the clubs I wanted.

[Star]

I don't mind crowds as long as I know that there is a way out and it is not too loud or crazy in the place I am in. However this year on bonfire night I had to walk through town (Lewes where they have a huge parade every year) and there were drunk people throwing bangers. I completely freaked out. I also hate clubbing for the same reason because the people around me seem really out of control.

[Cynamon]

Star, I know how you feel about being in Lewes at bonfire. It's an amazing event, but I find it terrifying later on when everyone's drunk and falling around all over the place. I used to live in Rodmell (one of the villages along the road from Lewes to Newhaven) I went to bonfire once and I was terrified, after that I used to watch the displays from my garden there... we could see the fireworks from all the bonfire societys really clearly.

[monkey]

head phoens can help a bit with crowds. Somtimes they do not help enough.

[wm1995]

I live near quite a large football stadium and all the fans were pouring out when I was walking by. I felt quite claustrophobic, so I just waited in the bookshop until they had passed. Now I try to avoid crowds, which is why I prefer taking a slightly longer route home because I avoid the tube, which is often busy, although sometimes I will take it. Once I took the tube part of the way but I have to change and there was a football match I didn't know about. I think that was the worst crowd, since I am already a bit afraid of falling from the platform to my death in front of a train. It took me 45 minutes to find my way home from there. Therefore, my advice (somewhat obvious) is just to avoid crowds and now I try to keep track of when there will be football matches.