Dizziness in Supermarkets!

[CG]

I am 25 years old, and for about the last year to 18 months, I have been going dizzy when I go in supermarkets, or large shops. Nothing ever comes of it, I just feel what I can only describe as 'fuzzy' and then I leave the shop and I'm fine. If I don't think about it, it rarely happens, but when I worry that its going to happen, it generally does. I also have epilepsy, but the feeling is totally different to anything I feel when I'm going to have a fit so I don't think it's related to that,I'm on medication and that is totally under control, but I would just like to know if anyone has experienced something similar. I'd be grateful if anyone who has felt this could contact me. Thanks :)

[sarah]

hiya

Welcome to the site.

Yes its a very familiar feeling to me. I used to feel really dizzy and faint in shops especially supermarkets. Im not so sure what causes it to be worse in large shops/supermarkets etc but for me I think it is the lighting and the long aisles, everything is big and overwhelming.
Does this make any sense?
Do you suffer with panic attacks or is it the anxiety/dizziness in shops etc that you have?
please feel free to ask us anything you need
take care
Sarah
xx

we arent mad, just the next stage of evolution :)

[Meg]

Hi CG

'If I don't think about it, it rarely happens, but when I worry that its going to happen, it generally does.'

With generalized anxiety and worried fuelled panics - thats generally exactly what happens.

To avoid them and this will take some practice - tell yourself that you will be fine and even if you do get dizzy continue your shopping and do it slowly. Take lots of slow steady breaths with a longer outbreath than inbreath .

Have you noticed whether the lightng affects you as people who are epileptic are very sensitive to lights and this may well have started you off and now it's a learned response.






Meg

'There can only be true courage when first there is genuine fear'

Dr.David Livingstone

[nomorepanic]

Hi CG

Welcome to the site.

I always used to feel like that in supermarkets - it was just the panic/anxiety that caused it.

The best way to beat it is exposure - just keep doing it over and over. Go in for a walk round but don't actually buy anything, then the next time just buy one item and so on. You will soon have the trolley full.

It has taken me a long time to get over it but I think it is related to claustrophobia and the fact that once you start loading the items onto the checkout you feel that you can't just run away and leave it.

If you do feel like that, then say to the checkout person that a) you need to go to the loo or b) you feel a bit dizzy and just want some fresh air and could they pack the bags for you till you get back.

It does take time to get over it though but don't stop going or you will bring on even more problems.

Good luck!


Nicola

[ana]

Hi CG! I have this too! It is a symptom of anxiety (panic attack). I do panic when the supermarket is too crowded. Do you?
Take care
Ana

[andy smith]

Hi all

I have been reading forums for many years looking for some answers to feeling dizzy. It has made my life hell for about 6 years. This includes supermarkets, concentrating on people when i stand still feel like i will fall over plus much more. It has effected my work as i have daily meetings, the result was to have 5 minute meetings and hope to get through.
For years i have seen doctors and specialists. In the end the specialists say it is a visual vertigo. The doctors always go for the easy option of anxiety.
If you suffer with my problems, i have the answer.

You can train the brain/////

The problem can effect your everyday routine. It can get so bad that you think about the problem before it happens.

Eventually when things start improving, you don,t think that the dizzyness anymore.

I feel for everyone who has this scary problem.

You very rarely get sympathy and you have to cope on your own.

You can solve the problem, read on.

My symptoms started improving within days, but.. You have work on it.

10 days later, all. My problems have gone.

Here we go.//////

Before i tell you what to do.

If you have a ongoing situation like a supermarket dizzyness for example, you will think you can go into the supermarket and all will be ok, how wrong you are.

Your brain will say you can cope, your subconcious brain will make you dizzy. Your subconcious will win, and you have to leave.
Do not try to carry on, by the time you get to the checkout you will be in a right state.

The supermarket part of all this is the hardest to solve, you will get through.

This is what happens.

In the shop my whole vision is full of tins, bottles of wine, fresh fruit etc. there is too much going on.

Practice in other areas where you have simular problems, but not in the supermarkets.

When you concentrate on something close to you, people or objects, They fiIll a large part of your vision. Make sure that you do not concentrate too hard. Try to make a visual scan, and if you are talking to someone do not concentrate on the eyes. Look at the full face as more as a blur and look away or over the shoulder when required..
If at anytime you feel a situation arising, don,t worry. Look into the distance at someting small, remember at his stage do not to concentrate too hard. Look at the distant small subject as a scan.

When you are looking for something on the shelf, scan as you go by.when you need to make a selection stand 10 feet further away than you would normally until you are ready to pick your product. When walking in a large mall, look into the distance.

Also , have a coffee in a busy shop, always sit down and look at the small subject in the distance.

It may sound silly, but your mind will get used to this in days.

Always look at that small distant subject as a scan.// do not concentrate on it for more than 10 seconds /// keep the eyes moving as a scan.

Hope this helps

Andy

[yana844]

Hi Andy,

I am experiencing the same problems with dizziness and looking for solutions for long time..

Is this method is something that you developed yourself? or learned somewhere? is there more to it?

you posted that few years ago, is it still working for you?

Thanks,
Yana