Anxiety in the Supermarket or Grocery Store (Episode 152)

Anxiety in the Supermarket or Grocery Store (Episode 152)

From Disordered: Anxiety Help by Josh Fletcher and Drew Linsalata

April 17, 2026 · 38 min

About this episode

This episode explores the challenges of experiencing anxiety in supermarkets and offers practical strategies for coping.

Have you ever felt like a supermarket was a high-stakes obstacle course you just couldn’t wait to escape? In this episode of Disordered, Josh and Drew dive deep into a struggle that almost everyone with an anxiety disorder knows well: anxiety in the supermarket or grocery store. Whether it is the harsh fluorescent lighting, the narrow aisles, or the trapped feeling of standing in a long checkout queue, the grocery store is often a primary trigger for panic and agoraphobia. We discuss why this mundane chore feels so confronting and share our own personal histories of running out of stores and abandoning shopping carts. Sensory Overload: Why the music, lights, and crowds create a maelstrom for the anxious brain. The Exit Mentality: The habit of scanning for fire exits and the urge to rush through shopping as a hit and run experience. Cognitive Sequencing: The difficulty of making simple decisions when your brain is stuck in panic mode. Real Success Stories: We share a did it anyway from a listener who navigated a new store despite her agoraphobia. Practical Strategies: Why trying to think logically does not work in the moment and how to practice willful tolerance instead. We also…

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Hosts: Josh Fletcher, Drew Linsalata

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Organizations: Disordered

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