Why You Feel Overwhelmed in Public (Even If You’re “Fine”)

Why You Feel Overwhelmed in Public (Even If You’re “Fine”)

P
Psych2Go
Apr 4, 2026

If you’ve ever wondered why you hate crowds or why crowds make you anxious, this video explores the psychology behind feeling overwhelmed in public spaces. From social anxiety in crowded places to sensory overload and introversion, we break down what might really be happening beneath the surface. If you often feel overwhelmed in public or drained after being around too many people, you’re not alone—and there may be deeper reasons why. What do crowds feel like for you?

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The sources used for this vid:

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Aron, E. N., & Aron, A. (1997). Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(2), 345–368. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.73.2.345
Stein, M. B., & Stein, D. J. (2008). Social anxiety disorder. The Lancet, 371(9618), 1115–1125. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60488-2