I need to go get my laundry. But there are so many people in the hallway right now, talking and bustling around (I live in a dorm, and it seems that everyone just got back from wherever they went this weekend). So I can't go out there. Or I just really, really don't want to. The idea makes me too uncomfortable. Even though I sortof know some of the people out there.

Though I'm wondering if it's not the actual people that make me nervous, or the typical textbook "fear of judgment" or anything. It almost seems like it's the chaos and commotion that's bothering me the most. It seems overwhelming, even from in here. Anyone else feel like this?

Often anxiety is conditioned, but the conditioning stimuli may have been forgotten (even years or decades ago).

Did anything ever happen to you in a bustling hallway or in a place where you were trapped and could not escape? Or similar setting? Ever been humiliated in front of a group of your peers?

Some social phobias are rooted in social shame as well. (e.g. among peers or caregivers who cause shameful ('less than') feelings)

These kinds of events can set up an anxiety and avoidance cycle.

Maybe your mind is protecting you from figuring it out, too.

Most simple (specific) or social phobias are conditioned. (Even if we don't remember how they got laid down in our brain/emotions.)

Maybe you feel "less than" b/c they did "exciting" things and you might feel 'boring'?

The answers are inside you, i guess.

Thanks for the response :). I don't remember anything particular that happened in a hallway. I just generally don't like chaotic crowding and bustling. It makes me dizzy. There might have been some feelings of being less exciting. I don't know. Or at least less energetic at the time, as I had been mellowing out earlier.

But things finally settled down, and I was able to go out. It's just weird that I hadn't felt that phobic in awhile, and it just came back with full force for a few days, no apparent reason. No change in meds or anything. *shrug* I guess it just happens sometimes...

Thanks for the respons & thoughts. :)

You know, some folks (not necessarily fitting into the SID "sensory integration disorder" realm of suffering) have sensory issues, too.

e.g. sensory overload makes them feel overwhelmed and not so good.

I think of how I"m not a loud music person, and hate clothing tags, etc etc.