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Why Walmart???

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 6/22/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Twice in the past month I have gone in to Walmart and almost immediately had a panic attack. I feel as if I am going to get a migraine with aura and my heart starts to race and I just feel so weird. I have been able to talk myself out of them and continue shopping but what is it about Walmart??
Posted 6/22/2011 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tinlou, IMO Walmart is the most dreaded of destinations. It is often crowded, with too-narrow aisles. People sometimes lack in the, er, manners dept., and don't control their little ones. It is large, yet packed to the gills with items, which leads to confusion and over-load...One doesn't wonder why it causes anxiety!

Another thing that sometimes bothers people with A/P is the fluorescent
lighting in these super-stores. When I was at the height of my anxiety I couldn't stand it. It can cause all of the symptoms that you described, and trigger panic attacks in some.

I would suggest going in with a game plan. Know exactly what you want, where it is and get in and out as quickly as possible. I used to do this myself, and it worked as long as I didn't have to wait in line for too long, so try to go during non-peak shopping hours. Also, you might want to try keeping your sunglasses on to cut down on the fluorescents. If this works, you'll know that this is a trigger for you...and you'll look like an incognito celeb/rockstar, Lol:)

Good luck, it does get better with time, and managing your anxiety over-all. I can now meander in the W.M., and while still not enjoyable, it is at least not terrifying anymore!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 6/22/2011 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Good Afternoon,

I am truly very lucky that my hubby does all the grocery shopping at Walmart and Cub.  Not long ago I offered to do the Walmart Shopping.  We made a list and he gave me directions on where certain items were in the grocery store.  I got to the store and took deep breathes as I start on the scavenger hunt...........did not take long until I was going up and down isles searching for items that were not where he had said.  Anxiety rising as I felt stupid for not being able to even grocery shop, I called my hubby and told him item was not where he said..................by then I had my dark glasses on and prayed I would not run into anyone I knew as crashing into other people's cart was already doing me in.  Of course the check out lines were packed.  Finally out of the store and driving my cart like an Indie 500 I raced to my car trying to avoid running anyone down.  Groceries in car.  I returned the cart to the cart corral and nearly slammed it  into the next county.

My darling husband may do all the shopping at Walmart he wants.  I am back to Amazon.com and I was not hungry anyway !

This from the cool Mother  of 4 who used to cut coupons and take the kids with her shopping.  IMHO shopping at Walmart is way over rated.  smhair

Bless you and know you are in good company here in the forum.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Posted 6/22/2011 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
WALMART!  Well, I live in a small town and if they didn't put a Walmart in....driving all the other stores out of business.  So...it's either Walmart or one other that is struggling to stay alive.  I can't stand it.  The last time I was in there a small child skinned all the flesh off the back of my ankles with one of those kiddie carts.  The lights always flicker and it takes about ten tries before I can find a cart that doesn't have wobbling wheels or squeak.   They put the pet food on the opposite side of the store from the food aisles so you have to walk a mile if you need both.  It's nerve wracking and I told my husband while putting the bandaids on my ankles that he could do the shopping with me from now on.  I've had more than one panic attack in there....actually left a full cart in the check out line that snaked around the store.  Guess I'll have to leave town to shop. yeah

Donna

Posted 6/23/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
I started carrying my xanax on me because of walmart. I can't handle all the sounds. Yes, kids screaming, rude people, and just plain too many people. Walmarts should be a symptom cause of anxiety. Or give it a name, like stressmart. lol... I can truly relate.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/23/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I guess I am not alone!! I don't even have a Supercenter Walmart, just an average one and the supercenters are 10 times worse!! It is just a stressful environment in many ways and the waiting in line lately...don't even get me started!! Hire some cashiers so we can get out of there already...
Posted 6/23/2011 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Tin,

The first panic attack I ever had, and only one, happened in Walmart!  Everything seemed so surreal, heart racing etc.  I think the above post is correct, it is the overwhelming nature of just too much going on around me that triggered it.  They really have the market cornered in the fact that you can come out better money wise and saving our hard earned money is always a priority but I have since then limited my trips to Walmart and I go when it is least busy like really early in the morning, etc.  since I have been on a natural path to wellness and have cut alot of junk out of my diet I can get by with fewer trips to Walmart, more trips to the local farmers market, which I must say produces feelings of tranquility even when it is crowded.  I do not think we should avoid everything that makes us anxious but there are times when it is absolutely the right thing to do.

Gem

Posted 6/23/2011 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have kind of learned to block it all out, just like in a casino. All the noises, they make me nervous. But taking a xanax before I go helps. One time I had to leave, couldn't stand all the noises. But I have gotten better with it. I talk to people now in the store. They have switched it around, and now I have trouble finding things. But learning it.

I hope you all can learn to cope with it. I know it is hard. It triggers my anxiety too. But managing it.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/23/2011 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Everything has been supersized in my neck of the woods - Walmart, Target etc.  Then throw in warehouse sized as in Sams club and I have to take my GPS as well as my therapist into the store with me.  smhair

Happy Thursday to all.

Kitt

Posted 6/23/2011 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I am not joking, my husband just called and wanted to know if I wanted to go to WalMart after work today? confused

Gem

Posted 6/23/2011 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Gem!! What did you say?? I will most likely be going there today too to get a gift card for my niece and I am hoping it isn't busy so I can get in and right out of there..this is so bad! I was fine for a while but lately it is getting bad again. I think it is the lights and it seems as if people, aisles are all coming at me at once.
Posted 6/23/2011 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
lol Gem. What a coincidence.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/23/2011 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
I mean really, what are the chances of that happening?  Maybe I should play the lotto on the way home!

Oh well, I know he wants new fishing lures (how many of those things does one man need?), so I can handle the sporting goods dept. than escape through the gardening section!!!!!!!!!

Gem

Posted 6/23/2011 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
i can't believe it, this is the same problem i have.
our Wal-Mart is getting a make over... i flipped out when i couldn't find
the Bathroom... i have Colitis and i do my shopping very early in the morning i will not eat anything ,afraid i might have a accident.
i ran out of the store as fast as i could , my heart rate was up , dizzy and
sick to my stomach i drove back home.
so you see you are not alone.
Posted 6/23/2011 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
It is good to see that I am not alone. When I am there and in the moment. hear racing, dizzy, ect.. I feel very alone. I talk myself through it the best I can though.

Akinom: I have IBS and use to be too modest/embarrassed to go in public places but when you gotta go you gotta go and I will go anywhere now...even Walmart! Shopping early is good too since it usually isn't as crowded at that time.
Posted 6/27/2011 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
  Walmart is a NIGHTMARE for me, I hate going there, I have learned since our very small town's walmart stays open 24 hours to either go at midnight or very early in the morning, I also ride a handicap cart,  i would never make it through walking the store, I have less anxiety when riding a cart. I also make sure to take a xanax before i go. Try riding a cart the next time you go, it also makes for me a faster way of getting out if I have to which is not often if riding.
Posted 6/27/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Good advice everyone... I now know to go really early or really late to avoid the chaos and waiting in line longer than I want to or can stand to. They really need to get more cashiers though to move us out of there quicker.
Posted 6/27/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
All the stores seem to use as few cashiers as they can get away with. Which is a bummer for us customers. But I guess they save money that way. I did notice our Walmart, if there are getting to be long lines, they will open up another one. They are pretty acommodating to the public, which I appreciate.

I hope that you are having a good day Tinlou.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/27/2011 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Our Walmart has self check out lanes - now there is a nightmare for people with anxiety ........................Who gets to yell  Price check on the industrial size box of adult diapers on aisle 3!

turn   tongue turn tongue turn tongue turn tongue tongue tongue turn turn

LOL,

Kitt

Posted 6/27/2011 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
LOL Kitt!!!
Posted 6/27/2011 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried those so called "self check out" aisles! What a joke, I always have to call over the supervisor or someone to help me for one reason or another...
Posted 6/28/2011 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
it's Costco for me...every time I go there I get freaked out about the size of the building or something... it's been getting better though but I had some bad times in there where I had to leave...classic fear of the market place.
Posted 6/28/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
It always happens at Walmart and has also happened in our local supermarket. Very dizzy, as if the aisles were closing in on me. Good thing my husband was there to talk me through it.
Posted 6/28/2011 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
one time I left all my goods and said I forgot my wallet and left the store I could not take it anymore...panic was creeping up on me.
Posted 6/28/2011 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
****Please place item in the bagging area...Aaaaahhh!!! Lol!

Self check out is not for the faint of heart;P
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