I find busy restaurants hard to deal with for these reasons
- I zone out. I can’t hold a proper conversation because my ears are so tuned to everything that all the noises can be heard at once and it’s overwhelming and tiring to filter them out constantly.
- I can’t tell if I’m hungry or full. Sounds crazy I know but when I’m in a noisy environment for some reason I can’t feel if I’m hungry or full its almost like my body is being so overwhelmed by noise that it can’t communicate everything.
- It’s tiring. It makes me physically tired trying to ‘keep up appearances’ all the time in a noisy environment.
My top tip is to stick with small quiet pubs and cafes which is what me and my boyfriend do. I can hear him when he talks and find that although the environment is new and different that I will enjoy myself Marie if it’s quieter a si can think better and tell if I’m hungry!
Coping mechanisms I use in restaurants are:
- Figure out where the exits and toilets are. That way you can take a break somewhere quieter by yourself.
- Eat something you know. That way you are going completely out of your comfort zone and might enjoy what you eat because you are familiar with it.
- Try and choose a corner to sit in. I love sitting in a corner of s room because you can see the entire room from a corner and you don’t run the risk of anybody brushing past behind you.
Image from http://www.suggestkeyword.com
Just read this out to my son and he said ‘that’s me’
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Aww bless! It’s nice to know someone else feels the same way as me 😊
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Defintely, it has made him feel he isn’t on his own
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Good I’m glad – well if he ever wants to talk feel free to drop me and email 😊
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I don’t have sensory processing disorder but I do have generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks. Your tips are what I do for myself. Sitting at a table instead of a booth makes me so nervous! My boyfriend and I chose restaurants I know because I feel better with routine. It helps me concentrate on my boyfriend instead of freaking out about the new environment.
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