What is it about light touch that's so freaky?

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Why is it? And while we're at it, why is deep touch so calming?

It's the way that sensory nerves function, especially if they're malfunctioning and overactive. I have a form of nerve based pain that causes the same thing. Light touch burns.

That might have been Temple Grandin...or someone using the "squeeze machine" she invented. It's a modified human version of the original machine used for livestck

I too have horrible touch sensitivity. It effects everything from what I like to wear (cannot stand the feeling of silk, need to cut out tags) to what I eat (cannot stand coconut's texture) to how I treat my husband and family (forget trying to get lovey-dovey after a hard day) I found this thread by search because I am curious what to do about it. Any one have any tips for us with touch sensitivity?

The OP's issues sound like touch sensitivity to me; My issue is similar. It actually hurts, like trying to touch a burn, then it makes me mad. It really hurts the feelings of those I love. It makes me feel (emotionally) really awful.

Touchy feely topic

Even some deep touch bothers me, like hand squeezing. but light stuff like hair finding its way into my ears, a hair inside my clothes, a hand on the shoulder--just awful.

I cannot stand this either.

I used to have a violent reflex reaction to this, and that created real problems. Now as many have mentioned, my mussels seize, all of them and I cannot really move or really speak until the experience is over. If this lasts too long I start to shake uncontrollably.

I have to manage how I hand things to people or how I present my hand to be given an object to try and stop this from being a recurring problem. Standing slightly over an arms length away from people also helps, it does not stop people from touching you, but gives you time to prepare.

Although I can recognize that neither of these is really a healthy or sustainable solution

This is so strange. I really wonder what it's like to feel it to such an extent.
I hate the stray hair on my face, and tags, and when my clothes don't sit right, but that's it. I actually usually love the right kind of light touch. Like my cool python flickering my cheek with his tongue.

I also recognise this. When someone touches me lightly I feel like they must want something from me and that annoys me. The feeling itself is unpleasant too. I keep thinking what do people want from me, if someone softly grabs my arm for example. At least I know what people want if they hug me (though, I don't like that either).

This is a little off-topic but I'm just so amazed that you have a python!

Oh, that can be irritating. I am ok with it for the most part. But not always. I hate if one of my parents does this. They have gotten mad before when I jerk away from it. :/

Hehe, he's a cute python! He's small really. Some users on here have bigger snakes.

Light touch confuses the nervous system. Deep touch sends a clear message to the brain.

I'm touch sensitive myself but not to the degree that some have described here.

Light touch, when it's a surprise, is the worst.

I wish I was industrious enough, and had the space for it, to build a squeeze machine. I'm supposed to be getting a weighted blanket this week and am very much looking forward to it.

i don't like when people touch my shoulders to get my attention or get their faces too near me, and as long as i can remember i have had to work hard to resist the reflex to hit my mother for doing things like touching my face and hair. it doesn't feel bad to me physically; it sends off psychological warning alarms, at least if the person is facing me. same if someone looks directly in my eyes or moves closer to me when talking. i'm like one of those alarmed paintings in a museum with a very definitive personal space threshold. i do react more to some people than others though.

also can't tolerate hairs touching my face. feels like i've walked into a spider web.

When I worked at a resteraunt when I was in my 20's there was a waitress there that like me. She would always touch my arms or sneak up behind me to hug me. This would make me so uncomfortable to the point I would find something to do in the cooler or freezer so I could be alone long enough to stabalize so I could function properly. The other guys who worked with me would get pissed off at me for not asking her out. Some of the waitresses would say are you sure your not gay, straight men do not run off to be alone when a woman touches them. (Nothing wrong with being gay, but I like women) The my co-workers tried their best to get us in room together even the boss was in on it always scheduleing us together and assigning us to the same work areas. It is one of the reasons I quit that job. I know they were trying to help me not pick on me but they did not relise how uncomfortable they made by doing that.

When strangers walk up to me and they touch me to get my attention it will sometimes set me off in a bad way. I have tried to start fights with guys and got all snarky when women have done it. Its my own fault several times they had been talking to me and I was in my own little world not paying attention to them. At that moment they did not exist to me. That makes the touch feel even more uncomfortable when they interupt that good place I put myself in.

My machine shop job was paradise for me it was all guys went out of their way not to touch each other and no one had any intention of touching me. I was alone most of the day in a little room. I wish I still worked there I had a nice routine set up and knew what to expect each day.

Last edited by Todesking on 03 May 2010, 7:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I wouldn't know. I don't have problems with it.

For me even an eyelash on my cheek causes me to scratch for hours. I don`t like walking into a spiders web or have a leaf fall on me.
A while back I had to wear a T.E.N.S. machine for pain relief and was told to set it at a low level. That drove me up the wall so I used it on maximum until my muscles twitched, I could put up with that.
I avoid going into town as walking along a crowded street means people can slightly brush past and that sends me off balance.

For me the reaction is much worse if it's a person doing the light touching. I just feel this sudden irritation for some reason. Bear hugs from people I like are nice though, I'm not a total touch- me- not.