Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Getting much more annoyed and anxious lately because of my vision? (self.Blind)
submitted by Kangroos-are-nice
So I’m legally blind and 15 years old and lately I have been just getting so much more annoyed at myself. Like I don’t want this to have this control over my life but I feel like it does. I’m constantly bumping into stuff and stumbling. And not being able to ever find anything without it taking like 30 minutes (especially when I’m in rush! Not being able to find my wallet or keys).
I already have really bad anxiety that I’m heavily medicated for. See something that would probably help is staying more organized and not getting into such time critical situations.But um I just don’t see that as possible.
it’s gotten so bad that all I want to do is lay in bed all day and play video games. (But I’m forced to get out of bed)
I hate going anywhere because it’s just a hassle. I mean I do love the mall and I’m really familiar with the lay outs of a few malls that I go to. And I’m pretty much always on the internet so I know lots about what good and what to get and what’s new and what’s on sale for places. And what to look for when buying certain things. And I usually know what I want before I walk into a store at the mall. But other than the mall it’s a disaster.
I hate the lighting in grocery stores cause it makes my vision so much worse. And I can’t read the signs to know where stuff is. And you would think I would remember where things are in a grocery store that I’ve gone to a million times but no. And It just takes forever.
No one else really sees that I’m a total disaster inside accept for when I knock over stuff or can’t find anything. I don’t know I just get so annoyed and anxious and sooooo angry. But sometimes I also start crying when I just want to relax then I can’t find my ear buds that I just had and I know they are close by.
And I get annoyed when I miss out on stuff. And I HATE how my grandma and older sister baby me. When I’m with them they never really leave me home alone for that long and they put on a voice for me. And my grandma says weird stuff like “baby girl”. She’s probably trying to be sweet but it’s just belittling it feels like.
I already have really bad anxiety that I’m heavily medicated for. See something that would probably help is staying more organized and not getting into such time critical situations.But um I just don’t see that as possible.
it’s gotten so bad that all I want to do is lay in bed all day and play video games. (But I’m forced to get out of bed)
I hate going anywhere because it’s just a hassle. I mean I do love the mall and I’m really familiar with the lay outs of a few malls that I go to. And I’m pretty much always on the internet so I know lots about what good and what to get and what’s new and what’s on sale for places. And what to look for when buying certain things. And I usually know what I want before I walk into a store at the mall. But other than the mall it’s a disaster.
I hate the lighting in grocery stores cause it makes my vision so much worse. And I can’t read the signs to know where stuff is. And you would think I would remember where things are in a grocery store that I’ve gone to a million times but no. And It just takes forever.
No one else really sees that I’m a total disaster inside accept for when I knock over stuff or can’t find anything. I don’t know I just get so annoyed and anxious and sooooo angry. But sometimes I also start crying when I just want to relax then I can’t find my ear buds that I just had and I know they are close by.
And I get annoyed when I miss out on stuff. And I HATE how my grandma and older sister baby me. When I’m with them they never really leave me home alone for that long and they put on a voice for me. And my grandma says weird stuff like “baby girl”. She’s probably trying to be sweet but it’s just belittling it feels like.
_Night_Wing 16 points 3y ago
I've been in your shoes. It's not fun. It gets better over time as you learn to adapt. You are at the age where the world is opening up and every teen, sighted or not, struggles with this period. You having a vision impairment makes it harder. Trust me, i've been there and it's a bloody PAIN. The good news is that with a few tips and adaptation things will get better.
First off, you should try to get in contact with an Orientation and Mobility teacher. If you are in the US ask your school. The O&M instructor will teach you to use a cane so you don't bump into things. They will also help you navigate areas and find new routes to places besides just the mall. I affectionately call it "how to be a blind person". They will also help with school accommodations if need be. They can also introduce you to cool new tech and apps that can help a lot.
Second off, always have a SPOT for EVERYTHING. Put your wallet in the same place every time you put it down. You will save time by not running through the house anymore.
Third, sunglasses, get some that only darken a little so it dims the grocery store lights but you can still use the vision you have.
Lastly, try to have an honest conversation with your grandma and sister. Tell them that you want to be independent and if instead of babying you, they can direct their loving energy towards helping you achieve more freedom.
And lastly, know that it is okay to feel frustrated, anxious and upset. Those are perfectly understandable and normal reactions to your situation. Sometimes things will be too much and that is alright. Just take it one day at a time. You got this.
First off, you should try to get in contact with an Orientation and Mobility teacher. If you are in the US ask your school. The O&M instructor will teach you to use a cane so you don't bump into things. They will also help you navigate areas and find new routes to places besides just the mall. I affectionately call it "how to be a blind person". They will also help with school accommodations if need be. They can also introduce you to cool new tech and apps that can help a lot.
Second off, always have a SPOT for EVERYTHING. Put your wallet in the same place every time you put it down. You will save time by not running through the house anymore.
Third, sunglasses, get some that only darken a little so it dims the grocery store lights but you can still use the vision you have.
Lastly, try to have an honest conversation with your grandma and sister. Tell them that you want to be independent and if instead of babying you, they can direct their loving energy towards helping you achieve more freedom.
And lastly, know that it is okay to feel frustrated, anxious and upset. Those are perfectly understandable and normal reactions to your situation. Sometimes things will be too much and that is alright. Just take it one day at a time. You got this.
CloudyBeep 8 points 3y ago
Some of those problems could be solved with training in nonvisual techniques.
For the problem about misplacing objects, ensure that you always put them in the same place and that no-one in your family moves them. They should either be in the place where you keep them, in your pocket or in your hand.
For the problem about misplacing objects, ensure that you always put them in the same place and that no-one in your family moves them. They should either be in the place where you keep them, in your pocket or in your hand.
dunktheball 4 points 3y ago
Well, I am legally blind and even though it sounds like you may have lower vision than me, I have gone through a lot of those feelings and situations also. Finding things at stores sometimes gets really annoying if I don't flat know where the item is because I get a headache from getting right up at things reading tags and labels. The main thing I have felt held back on is going places... having to depend on people to take me wherever. Although at your age that would be pretty normal, anyway.
Anyway, I wish I knew how to help, though. Sometimes, anxiety can randomly be better on some days than others or things may just go better some days than others. Most of the time I don't really think about my vision, although it really has caused a lot of frustrating or depressing situations... Actually, some things I laugh about now, such as the few times I have accidentally gotten into strangers' cars. lol. But, anyway, I'm sure you will feel better about things at some point and also surely people don't "mean" to make you feel babied, although I kind of understand that too. And really one thing that has always frustrated me is people with good vision thinking they know more than me as to what I see. And people asking why don't I get glasses, like I am so dumb that I just never heard about glasses before. haha. I do actually sometimes wear some but they don't solve the problem. (of course those people just think they're helping, but still gets annoying...)
Anyway, I wish I knew how to help, though. Sometimes, anxiety can randomly be better on some days than others or things may just go better some days than others. Most of the time I don't really think about my vision, although it really has caused a lot of frustrating or depressing situations... Actually, some things I laugh about now, such as the few times I have accidentally gotten into strangers' cars. lol. But, anyway, I'm sure you will feel better about things at some point and also surely people don't "mean" to make you feel babied, although I kind of understand that too. And really one thing that has always frustrated me is people with good vision thinking they know more than me as to what I see. And people asking why don't I get glasses, like I am so dumb that I just never heard about glasses before. haha. I do actually sometimes wear some but they don't solve the problem. (of course those people just think they're helping, but still gets annoying...)
bigblindmax 2 points 3y ago
I’ve been there. It sounds like you’re in need of coping strategies. There are skills that you can learn to avoid bumping into things, find lost items, etc.
You might want to get in contact or have someone get in contact with a state/local agency that offers low vision services. In a lot of cases these agencies will offer programs where you can learn mobility and independent living skills. I went through one such program (for free, I’ll add) and it made a huge difference.
You might want to get in contact or have someone get in contact with a state/local agency that offers low vision services. In a lot of cases these agencies will offer programs where you can learn mobility and independent living skills. I went through one such program (for free, I’ll add) and it made a huge difference.
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