Maggie Rogers reports observing an increase in fainting and panic attacks at her concerts. The American artist believes this is due to the coronavirus outbreak keeping people away from crowds and events for so long.
In an Instagram post, she encouraged her followers to remain hydrated and look out for one another.
Angela McMillan, a therapist for anxiety, is not surprised that patients may struggle as they adjust to going out again.
She reports that she is increasingly observing this in her counseling work.
“I believe the lockdowns produced a climate in which individuals stayed at home and avoided large crowds,” she tells Newsbeat.
There was a great deal of worry and anxiety associated with interacting with other people when accessing items such as loud noises or music.
Incapable of dancing
Maggie, a singer-songwriter, writes in an Instagram post that concerts “may not be the most natural space after a couple of years we’ve spent in the pandemic.”
For some, Covid may seem like a long time ago, but Angela claims that we’ve just recently begun to comprehend what occurred.
She explains,
“We were unable to sing along to our favorite songs or dance around other people.”
And I believe it might still feel shocking and surprising to certain individuals.
Sam Parsons understands what it’s like to consider attending a concert for the first time in a long time.
The 21-year-old wrote on TikTok that she was preparing for her first concert since she was 16 years old.
“The primary difference between today and when I was 16 is that I now know I’m autistic, which brings with it a plethora of sensory challenges,” she explains.
“Since I am small, when I attend a concert in a standing-only area, I cannot see over people’s shoulders and I feel quite confined.
And when I’m already concerned about being in a crowd, feeling boxed in and unable to see anything but other people, it’s quite frightening.
Sam also notes that she must consider her heightened sensitivity to noise.
“Although the music itself has a calming effect on me, these large industrial speakers emit frequencies that I can hear but neurotypical others may not,” she explains.
She said she will bring her earplugs that reduce high-pitched sounds in the event of sensory overload.
Maggie provides safety tips for her followers in an Instagram post, including staying hydrated and taking frequent rests from standing.
Angela also provides suggestions for individuals who are new to going out frequently.
She says,
“One of the first things I tell folks is to accomplish things at their own pace.”
“Just because your buddies are going out every day and doing a lot of things does not mean that you must do the same.”
She also gives some advice for anyone who may be experiencing anxiety at performances:
Establish a connection – let others know you’re feeling a little off. This can be as easy as gripping a friend’s arm to maintain contact with another person.
Breathe gently – Your capacity to breathe deeply or normally is one of the first things to change. Taking a slightly longer exhale begins to settle things down.
Distraction – Choose a color to concentrate your attention on, then scan your surroundings for anything of that color. Moreover, you may focus on a scent or music.
Also Read: Jonathan Groff, Who Is Out Gay, Discusses A Relationship Gone Wrong
