Anxiety in the Supermarket or Grocery Store (Episode 152)

Have you ever felt like a supermarket was a high-stakes obstacle course you just couldn’t wait to escape? In this episode of Disordered, Josh and Drew dive deep into a struggle that almost everyone with an anxiety disorder knows well: anxiety in the supermarket or grocery store.

Whether it is the harsh fluorescent lighting, the narrow aisles, or the trapped feeling of standing in a long checkout queue, the grocery store is often a primary trigger for panic and agoraphobia. We discuss why this mundane chore feels so confronting and share our own personal histories of running out of stores and abandoning shopping carts.

• Sensory Overload: Why the music, lights, and crowds create a maelstrom for the anxious brain.

• The Exit Mentality: The habit of scanning for fire exits and the urge to rush through shopping as a hit and run experience.

• Cognitive Sequencing: The difficulty of making simple decisions when your brain is stuck in panic mode.

• Real Success Stories: We share a did it anyway from a listener who navigated a new store despite her agoraphobia.

• Practical Strategies: Why trying to think logically does not work in the moment and how to practice willful tolerance instead.

We also touch on the 7% Slower rule and how intentionally slowing down your physical pace can teach your brain that you are not actually in danger. If you have ever felt like reality was collapsing while you were just trying to buy ingredients for lasagna, this episode is for you.

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The Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety is now available. If you're struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.

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