Anyone get this sensory overload symptom in public..around friends etc.

[[he...]]

Haven't posted in here in a while..I am 5 and half months off benzos.. short term, low dosage use (but that's another story). I still have all kinds of symptoms..stomach stuff, head stuff, etc. But seem to slowly be getting better..

 

Anyway, tonight I met up with about 5 or 6 good friends who are in town this wknd whom I hadn't seen in over a year, some in a few years..I've been kind of anxious about this for a few days as these are people I used to party hard with.. drinking etc..obviously I cannot touch alcohol at this point (tried 1 beer  a month ago and paid for that for a couple weeks).. so I show up to the place they are at already not feeling well.. whether it's a wave or simply anxiety idk.. I meet up with them and they are all beyond wasted.. since I haven't seen them in so long they're all hugging me etc.. one of them picked me up and was so drunk we both fell down.. well he did, I caught my fall.. so clearly that would be overwhelming for a person not in w/d.. being the only sober person etc.. but I've been that "DD" so many times and I was always okay with it.. but this time I was so overwhelmed with sensory overload that I had to leave after only about 20 min.. I made an excuse of an urgent family matter and jet outta there.. said I'd be back but going to text them I can't.. keep in mind these are drunk men in their 30s..I'm 32..

 

This is all so frustrating because I used to love Saturday nights and went out all night etc.. now I'm stuck at home and this has made me realize how unwell I still am if I can't do normal things like anyone else.. do I want to get belligerently drunk or need to? Not at all.. but to be unable to even catch up with old friends..it just stinks..Plus I feel bad for not visiting withe friends..

 

Now I have all these symptoms.. brain fog.. nausea.. vertigo..etc. And I don't know if it's anxiety or a flare up of symptoms because of the CNS overload..

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this really withdraw all almost 6 months out and even though I wasn't on benzo's that long (2 months usage + 3months taper)?

 

Thanks for listening and/or responding.

 

[[tw...]]

Yes, I have that. Just the thought of going to a crowded bar or restaurant gives me anxiety. Even my kids talking to me & asking me questions feels like too much. When I first jumped, I wasn't even able to watch tv or listen to the radio. I took my boys to see Rogue One while in acute withdrawal & it was EXTREMELY uncomfortable. I wanted to run out of the theater. I felt both panicky & physically ill. I didn't FEEL anxious in my mind, it was more like sensory overload. I now hate to talk on the phone & usually let it go to voicemail when a friend calls. I just don't have the attention or desire to hold a conversation. This is SO unlike me! I used to LOVE being around people. I think it's a combo of both anxiety & too much CNS stimulation. 5 months isn't a long time...you may have to ease yourself back into social situations!

[Guest [On...]]

Yes! I feel the same way - although it's getting much better. Sensory overload is exactly the way I would describe it - it's just too much to take in and process, sometimes. Loud music or films, lots of people talking at once, bright lights, etc. I've become a real homebody and just avoid these social situations. I have to see friends one-on-one or in a small group at home - like dinner in the back porch - otherwise I just can't do it. When I go to concerts with my husband I wear earplugs. It's crazy.

[[ca...]]

Your title caught my attention because that explains exactly what I have experienced right from the start of my withdrawal. I'm not a party animal but getting into a dark bar with people talking all around me had me at my wits end. I have come up with so many excuses to get out of those situations. I just knew I was going to die if I didn't get away. I'm much better now but my senses are still very sensitive.

[[Tr...]]

Yesterday I went to the mall with my fiancé and felt the same . I was also having dp and dr, and and the mall was too much for me . But I was able to watch the movie "Kong" and enjoy it.

[[pu...]]

TELL ME ABOUT.

 

 

 

Before benzo withdrawal ruined my life, I was DJ.

 

 

Someone asked me to DJ this party for a big artist and I thought I could pull it off.

 

Everything you just explained happened to me right before I started DJing and while I was.

 

Imagine spinning records in a club while that is going on! LOL 

 

I can laugh about it now but at the time it was *TERRIBLE*

[[Je...]]

I have had this so bad I can't even drive or ride in a car more then 5- 10 minutes. So bummed. Sorry you are going through this too

[[Vi...]]

10'months out and still not able to talk on a phone, wath moves, and I still cancelling a lots of invitations. Going to stores are getting better ( still not comfortable) and driving is back to normal.

Im getting better to see other people are happy. Before I could not handle it. I cried right away.

It will get better.  We will  heal.....time and patience.

 

[[Tr...]]

10'months out and still not able to talk on a phone, wath moves, and I still cancelling a lots of invitations. Going to stores are getting better ( still not comfortable) and driving is back to normal.

Im getting better to see other people are happy. Before I could not handle it. I cried right away.

It will get better.  We will  heal.....time and patience.

 

Hi Vica. This sucks right, but we will get better. I can drive to work like 20 minutes and go home on small roads. I can't drive on highway. I Tried one time and I got so anxious I would not drive on highway again until I get better. I'm OK going to the stores etc, but going to big stores or malls, I do get overload sensory but I manage to get through, I never enjoyed it though. I hope this will get better for ALL of Us.

 

Tracy

[[he...]]

Thank you all for your replies.. it always helps to hear other people's experiences and how they relate to my own.. Praying you all find healing soon as well.

[[do...]]

Oh how I can relate to this! From the beginning. I have felt like the world would start spinning, sounds can be so loud and starling even if they were really loud. Lights sometimes are like strobe lights flashing. I can't drive because I feel detached from my body when I'm in a car. It seems like I'm moving and the car is moving and the whole world is moving all in different directions. Going into a store is scary. I've only been inside 3 times and out to eat 4 times. I have insisted on take out any other time. I've went to my parents once and that's it.  I'm only 44 days free but I wanted to let you know your not alone with this symptom.

[[Ex...]]

I just posted about issues with driving. It's gotten better but still I feel dizzy when driving. It's like the other cars makes me dizzy. I was really concerned  yesterday because It's been here with me so long. Does this overload go away. I still feel a little disconnected  but that has improved slowly as well.

[[He...]]

you will love again after WD

[[he...]]

you will love again after WD

 

I sure hope so!

[[he...]]

I haven't had any issues driving for whatever reason.. I've driven a ton throughout taper and after.. even a couple trips a few hours away..and probably a coincidence but seems like other drivers are really testing my patience more now than ever before lol.. but everything else including big stores and restaurants have been hard.. I've also opted for take out more often than not.. I've found sitting in a restaurant around multiple people difficult.. whether it's the lights or the music idk.. I think for me it's having to interact with groups of people.. I'm okay if it's just me and the gf.. or with my immediate family.. but on holidays with extended family it's very difficult and always an uptick of symptoms.. I used to love big groups. Now I'm a hibernating bear.