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Mental Health issues and not wanting to go out.

(7 Posts)
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biglouis Sun 24-Apr-22 21:58:20

Have any of you felt reluctance to go to crowded or busiy places which you used to enjoy before?

Ive read a lot on various forums about people not wanting to "go out" after being on lockdown for so long. This has affected not just older people who were shielding but I noticed many younger posters - or parents posting about children and teens which is really worrying.

Ive struggled with issues like depression, panic attacks and spells of agoraphobia on and off all of my life. When the lockdown was ended I attributed my not going out to the fact that I have mobility issues and am a non driver. So even short trips entail a taxi door to door - most of my relatives live in another city.

I am involved in the antiques trade and sell online. I was looking forward to visiting (as a buyer) a local fair today - short taxi ride each way. I have dealer friends who stall out and they bring a sdelection of items for me to have first dibs before the doors open to the public. I was looking forward to meeting them but only a few had turned up. Fortunately enough to make it worthwhile for me to get new stock.

However the "buzz" of the fair which usually excites me got on my nerves to the extent that I did not stay for coffee with my chums but left before the doors opened to the public.

Having so many people around me bustling about setting up their stands just got on my nerves. So I was in and out of the fair within 45 minutes. When I spoke to a longtime dealer colleague about this she said many of her regular customers were still not travelling or attending these fairs. Instead they are buying in online auctions which are busier than ever. Abiout 70% of antiques are now sold to online bidders. She felt it would be some time before they felt confident enough to go to crowded and busy places again.

So its not "just me".

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BigBertha1 Sun 24-Apr-22 22:08:36

No it's not just you. Sales figures are down everywhere. Post pandemic and economic situation. How about getting some help before you get so embedded you don't go out at all. I'm sorry you are feeling this way but please get some help and keeping talking on here for support and advice.

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Smileless2012 Sun 24-Apr-22 22:13:18

No it's not just you biglouise flowers but I don't attribute my reluctance to go out as much as I used too to the lock down, I've been aware of it for 9 years now.

It's something I try to over come as my mum was agoraphobic and didn't leave the house at all for several years before she died.

Panic attacks are really awful aren't they, and despite our best efforts to avoid situations that can trigger them they can still catch us out when we least expect them.

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Daisymae Sun 24-Apr-22 22:32:27

I think that it's perfectly natural that there's a reluctance to go into crowded spaces. I think that you did well to go at all. Currently 1:17 people are inflected. While I know it's not as serious as it was, it's not gone away.

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Pepper59 Sun 24-Apr-22 22:59:50

Biglouis, I feel exactly that. We were invited to a family party, just didn't feel up to it. I avoid large gatherings and I still wear a mask. Covid may not be as serious, but I have had it, don't want it again. I feel I have never fully recovered. If I was young and fit, perhaps I would feel differently.

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lilypollen Sun 24-Apr-22 23:07:43

Covid has definitely affected my wanting to socialise. Pre covid I loved being with people, entertaining and going out and about. Now it is a challenge, though happy to be with close friends. DH wants to do pre covid socialising and entertaining but I am finding it difficult. Unfortunately a few wines help.

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Kate1949 Sun 24-Apr-22 23:21:39

Nothing to do with the lockdown, I was a nervous wreck before. My nerves are shot. I now suffer with shaking hands (not illness thankfully, just nerves). I dread going for a coffee or a drink with anyone as I pick a cup or glass up and my hand shakes and I spill the blumin thing all over the place. So now I'm getting scared to go out and I love going out.

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