This is my first time posting. So, please, bear with me.
I have PTSD from childhood abuse and spousal abuse when I had gotten older. The diagnosis is about 6 years old, so still new. I do not take medication for it but work with grounding techniques. On top of the PTSD, I have severe social anxiety. A handful of people are fine, but once it gets too much, I have a panic attack. Some have gotten so bad that I would throw up. Some triggers are mixed with the smell that causes flashbacks and sometimes it is just too many people.
Now my problem. During the lockdown and pandemic, I gained a lot more weight than I care to admit. I feel unhealthy. I joined a gym, not only to get “back out there” but to get healthy. I try to go at times when it is mostly empty but still very uncomfortable. I am wondering how other people cope with working out around people. How do you block everything out? So far, I have 3 areas that I am comfortable going by, but still, panic if someone is close. (yeah I know, where to get back out there). How do I calm myself or how do you block it out?