Does anyone else struggle with this?

[Fishbone†]

I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who fights with this, and if not, how do others work through it.

There are two things in this world that make me so tense and uptight that I almost cease to function for that time (actually, there are probably a lot of things, but two major ones).

The first is my personal space. I hate for someone to be too close to me.... I have a larger personal space than most others, and I don't like being "trapped". If your standing just a teeny bit too close, I can deal (sort of), but when people stand so close they're touching or almost touching me, I just can't describe how I feel. Right now I'm tensing up just thinking about it..... it makes my skin crawl. And if someone is standing so that I can't get out of where I am, I panic..... I'm not claustrophic unless it comes to people or crowds. I don't know what it is, but it's more than just being uncomfortable with it.

The other thing is loud noises for prolonged periods of time. I know this sounds strange, but when the oven buzzer goes off, if someone doesn't turn it off within the first several seconds, I can hardly get to it quick enough. Same thing with my alarm.... I hate the radio speaker that's over my head at work (I have it turned off), and people with overly loud voices or laughs..... I just get crabby.

You can imagine how crabby crowded shopping malls and large get-togethers make me feel for a couple of recovery days.

I bring this up because the other day someone was standing IN MY CUBE (which everyone knows is prohibited, and most people respect), he was standing so close his arm was touching mine, and his voice was so loud and he just kept talking, and I kept trying to back away with nowhere to go..... and I cracked. I lost my cool.... it was too much for too long. I wish I hadn't.... He knows I don't like people too close, he just doesn't respect it.

I'm just wondering, does anyone else struggle with this, and what do you do when it's too much for too long.

 

[caitycaity]

how do you enjoy wdw?

 

[CEDmom]

I'm not crazy about either of those things but I don't think they'd push me over the edge. I don't mean to be flip and disrespectful but have you sought help in dealing with these issues? I'm sure there are things you can do. It sounds like you suffer from anxiety attacks and that can be helped. Anyway, hope things get better for you.

 

[Fishbone†]

I've only been twice, and both times during the off-season when it wasn't as crowded, AND I've gotten VERY good at making space for myself..... standing back from things, going the long way around, patiently waiting my turn. I have my tricks........ and I've perfected them as I've almost always been this way.

 

[disneyelaine]

This sounds so much like my 7 yr old son. He's been diagnoised with sensory intergration disorder and he is mild autistic. There's a book about sensory disorders called The Out of Sync Child. Maybe you could apply this to an adult??

 

[Fishbone†]

I don't mean to be flip and disrespectful but have you sought help in dealing with these issues?

Yes, just now, from the DIS.
And I wouldn't say I suffer from anxiety attacks anymore than someone who's claustrophic or has any other phobia........