Does anybody else get high anxiety when crowded or in high traffic?

2016-04-20T08:43:06-04:00

Response by SGT(P) Jeremy Anderson made Apr 20 at 2016 8:46 AM

2016-04-20T08:46:47-04:00

I was on my way to an appointment this morning and it had to be during rush hour. I was gripping the steering wheel as tight as I could and had to stop myself from emotionally breaking down.

Response by SPC(P) Doug Moxley made Apr 20 at 2016 9:32 AM

2016-04-20T09:32:00-04:00

Um, YES! I cannot stand being around crowds and I'm a stress monster in rush hour traffic. I've dealt with anxiety since I was a child and have been on Effexor for the past 30 years. It really helps me with anxiety and depression. I've tried my best to be med free but I'm just wired that way I guess. Don't feel bad, brother, you are definitely not alone!

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Apr 20 at 2016 9:57 AM

2016-04-20T09:57:22-04:00

Yes, can't stand it. Find myself clentching the stering wheel until my knuckles are white.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Apr 20 at 2016 10:02 AM

2016-04-20T10:02:03-04:00

When I was in basic and we had a white glove pass in review in December I found that I could just not fight it and let the cold pass through me and I would not shiver and get a gig.
Later I found that works for me with stress too.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-04-20T10:06:12-04:00

Anxiety - not so much. Irritated...very much so.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 20 at 2016 10:23 AM

2016-04-20T10:23:45-04:00

yes!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 10:46 AM

2016-04-20T10:46:25-04:00

Hi, (SGT(P) Anderson.

High anxiety? Probably not. Increased stress from the elevated perceived threat level? Absolutely. I hate crowds, and "crowds" sometimes are defined as anyone else in the room. If it wasn't for my family and work, I would be a hermit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-04-20T11:43:52-04:00

Every time I enter the state of Utah, yes.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 20 at 2016 12:33 PM

2016-04-20T12:33:23-04:00

When I first moved to California in 1975 I was surprised to learn that many insurance companies wouldn't issue me a new auto policy until I had been here two years. My then insurer, Liberty Mutual quadrupled my rate for less coverage. My anger subsided after driving here a few months. I called my agent to apologize for berating him. Now I understood. Driving in SoCal is not for the faint of heart. It takes getting used to. Now that I've been retired for seven years I've reverted to being a novice on California freeways and they scare me. I'm just not used to driving them anymore and have no desire to become accustomed once again.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Apr 20 at 2016 12:34 PM

2016-04-20T12:34:51-04:00

Of course. Where I live, the closest major city is 10 minutes away. I felt that way since I could drive anytime I went through it or had to be in that city. It only got amplified after my first deployment; but I learned how to handle it better. Only difference now is there's more people and they are more stupid.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Apr 20 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-04-20T12:35:13-04:00

Only when I got stuck in traffic on a bridge and there is no where to go.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 20 at 2016 2:03 PM

2016-04-20T14:03:37-04:00

I don't. I only get anxious when I'm next to a truck with 3 trailers (they can do that in Oregon). That third trailer is invariably moving from side to side more than the other two, and more than is normal for 1- and 2-trailer trucks.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 20 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-04-20T14:37:05-04:00

Generally, no.

A couple years ago when on AT, we were hauling fuel to the Whidbey Naval Air Station, and I was surprised by the poor quality of drivers in Seattle Rush Hour. Driving there was sometimes butt-pucker worthy. I only wish I could have conveyed to some of these yutzes boxing us in and cutting us off, that our convoys were full of Reservists, most of whom aren't professional truckers, that we were hauling jet fuel and generally didn't have but 2 or 3 hours of sleep each night.

Yeah...had they only known that, imagine the WIDE berth we would have been given us! LMAO!!!

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Apr 20 at 2016 3:15 PM

2016-04-20T15:15:53-04:00

when the wife and I go out to the movies or I am at a meeting with a room full of people I always sit in the back and look for the exits in case I am to crowded.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 20 at 2016 7:58 PM

2016-04-20T19:58:38-04:00

Yes we do! You are not alone, and this effect is different for everyone. If you or your friend are having challenges dealing with these and other triggers you should speak to an experienced Counselor familiar with PTSD.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 22 at 2016 4:47 AM

2016-04-22T04:47:53-04:00

Oh Yeah, Usually when I'm out in the Pacific Northwest on I-5. Not a big fan of that Highway.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Apr 22 at 2016 6:41 AM

2016-04-22T06:41:01-04:00

I haven't been comfortable in large crowds in quite a while. I am at the point where I don't even like going to restaurants when they are busy.

Response by CPL Christopher Taylor made Mar 14 at 2019 8:35 AM

2019-03-14T08:35:04-04:00

Yes, I get very stressed out in large crowds of people and in bumper to bumper traffic. I have to take Xanax 3 times a day to control my anxiety.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2019 1:15 PM

2019-11-10T13:15:30-05:00

PTSD can be a life time problem.

Response by PO2 Christina "Jian" Phillips made Jun 11 at 2020 6:17 PM

2020-06-11T18:17:37-04:00

Yes because worried about the OTHER drivers and what idiocy they will commit. So glad to be relieved of commuting with Covid.