Sensory overload

Post Reply New Topic

Hi guys
Any help with sensory overload?
Usually for me it's in a shop with heat, lot's of voices around me, a toddler to look after, clothes feeling scratchy.
Or in the car with my husband talking to me, the radio on, feeling a bit car sick due (only in that car strangely), heating on. I usually try to switch the radio off and sit with my head in my hands, I get a horrible pressure in my head and I suddenly feel really angry and end up exploding at dh.

Is this sensory overload, any tips?

Thanks

Sounds like it.
Unfortunately, I don't have many tips, despite experiencing sensory problems daily.

I get overloaded pretty easily and pretty often; my most sensitive sense seems to be auditory.
Earplugs are usually a lifesaver for me; if I have my iPod with me, that works, too. I use the headphones that go in the ears... the ones that are essentially music-playing earplugs.
When I went to public school, there were many voices and other noises, so I would wear earplugs. I now do school at home due to the immense stress caused by sensory issues and other things.

When you're someplace with a lot of voices around you, do you think you can listen to some music or use some earplugs? You mentioned you have a toddler to look after, so this may or may not be possible for you.

I found public transport to be a lot more bearable when I got my first walkman. One notable occasion was at University, when there was an incident involving drunken students at 3am that led to violence and me heading home. I don't think I could have made it all the way back on the train that morning without Pink Floyd's "The Wall" blocking out the world.

These days I'm onto iPods and iPhones and have some rather spiffing bluetooth headphones. I hate crowded buses, and music helps cut out one of my senses.

I would recommend practicing meditation. I avoid sensory overload by shutting down everything. It means that you won't be able to talk to me on the bus, but it also means I get to my destination without the urge to start hitting people until they stop bumping into me.

Stores are a big place for sensory overload for me. It's hot, there are a ton of people, bright lights, annoying store music, and a zillion other distractions. In some big stores around me, lots of customers shop while listening to their iPods, so it isn't so weird for me to have mine in to help. Other than that, or in smaller stores where it might be weird to be listening to my iPod, I just try to do my shopping as quickly as possible, and get out.

When I'm having an overload, I remind myself that solitude is right around the corner if I just have patience. As soon as I can go lock myself in a room with no noise, I do.

Only right now, I've got the doors closed, earplugs and noise cancelling headphones, but I can still hear the neighbor's toddler running up & down the hall and my family in the next room. Two seconds ago, I realized that the music beats I thought I was hearing that were getting all over my last nerve were none other than my own heartbeat - probably because of the earplugs. I'm out of luck I guess.

I recommend deep breathing (pull your breath into your lower abdomen, slowly, 3x's) while you tell yourself a positive way to deal with the issue.

OMG so it is not just me! I deal with the sensory, resp. auditory issues the same way - I put in my earphones. I started wearing an audio-casette player when I was in high school. It was old, it was noisy and almost broken... but it helped me a lot. I started wearing it more and more often, first only at the dorm, then in the busses, then even during school lessons. I did not know why I like wearing it, but I liked how it blocked the unwelcome sounds of the outer world, and it made me feel safer. Back then, of course, I did not know anything about AS and my possible diagnosis. But I know about it now and I plan to have it confirmed by a doctor.

NOW TOO I deal with the unfriendly noises by putting my earphones on. But this time, I use an MP3 I´ve made a significant progress in this area, haha But I´ve never thought about my problems as of some specific auditory problems. I just thought that I liked to get lost in my own world, that´s it. It was only like two-three weeks ago that I´d read some articles and forums at Wrong planet. Then I started thinking that when I feel the need to plug in my ears with earphones, it can be due to sensory issues and due to the sensitivity of my auditory system.

So now, I always put in some music and it helps me a lot! I am not that stressed, I feel safer and happier because I can listen to whvatever makes me happy at the given time. Try it, it really works!