I'm in constant sensory overload and don't know what to do.

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Hi everyone,

I feel like I'm in constant sensory overload. I'm very sensitive to noise/sound and the slightest noise is enough to startle me. Noises I can tolerate (my neighbor walking around in her apartment, someone slamming a door) are absolutely unbearable now. They cut right through me and it hurts so much. I can't go out much because everything is too much: too loud, too crowded, simply too much. I experience an increase in shutdowns too - I "freeze" and don't respond to my environment, rock back and forth to calm myself. People stare/laugh at me but I can't help it, I can't cope with the outside world anymore. I don't really know why it's so bad right now or what to do. Has anybody experienced something like this? I already have noise cancelling headphones and a weighted blanket which helps a lot but I can't drag my blanket with me when I'm out (as much as I'd like to).

I just feel so ashamed over this. I guess I'm losing the ability to function and maybe I need more help than I thought I needed.

I'm really at the end of my tether.

Lea

I'm sorry for you.

Is your level of stress higher than it normally is?

Have you been to a doctor about this?

I'm sorry that I can't remember exactly, but I've read that extreme "jumpiness" can be caused by a mineral deficiency. I think it's calcium or magnesium?

I won't advocate that you do the following since I'm not a doctor (that sounds cliche, but true and important to say), but I make a valarian root tincture that I use on occasion if I'm hyper-stressed. Weaker versions are readily available at health food stores.

Do you have ear plugs or something to block out sound?

Plan your trips into the real world when it is less crowded. Early morning is generally the best time to go out. Stores are often less busy when they just open. Though Target usually has sales associates running around getting the store ready.

Over the last couple of years my life has been more stressful and chaotic, and my sensory problems have increased enormously. Things that used to be annoying are now painful or even unbearable. There's definitely a connection. Try to simplify your life and reduce stress as much as possible. If necessary see a doctor who actually understands AS... preferably a specialist in the subject.

I’ve been listening to pink noise videos on YouTube. It helps to take the edge off sounds for me. I hope you’re able to find some relief soon.

I sleep next to a air filter that doubles as a noise masking device.

That's interesting, I didn't know that magnesium/calcium deficiency can cause jumpiness! I will definitely look into this, I'm on an anticonvulsant that can cause vitamin deficiency, including magnesium/calcium. Thank you so much for this.

And yes, my stress level is higher, which is in part due to the jumpiness. Noise just stresses me out so much. I don't think neurotypicals understand the kind of pain loud noise cause - it cuts right through me. I'll never understand why neurotypicals enjoy loud noises and talking so much.

And I've been trying to plan trips to the grocery store etc. when it's less crowded but I don't always have a choice. I have an important doctor's appointment this week and I have to take the train at a really busy time - not looking forward to that. But I'm thankful for my noise-cancelling headphones, couldn't leave the house without them.

Für mich klingt das sehr stark danach, daß Du unbewußt übertrieben stark auf Geräusche regierst, weil Du starke Ängste vor plötzlich auftretenden äußeren Ereignissen hast. Die Welt ist aber gar nicht so schlimm, wie Du unbewußt ggf. meinst und dauerhafte Ängste verhindern, daß das Leben wirklich schön und lebenswert ist. Du mußt Dich von den Ängsten lösen, denn Du verlierst damit zuviel wertvolle Zeit Deines Lebens. Du mußt anfangen, Dich gezielt in jeder Umgebung, wo Du bist, sicher zu fühlen. Versuche immer und überall ein Gefühl der Sicherheit aufzubauen bis es dauerhaft vorhanden ist. Geräusche sind eben da, weil irgendwer, der Dir völlig gleichgültig sein kann und Dir nichts böses will und sich nur um seine Probleme kümmert, sie macht.
Mach am Tag das Radio an. Vom Radio geht keine Gefahr aus und es übertönt andere Geräusche, auf welche Du sonst viel zu stark achtest. Das dauerhafte Geblubbere lenkt zudem Deine Aufmerksamkeit immer mal wiedere auf andere Dinge. Versuche immer und in jeder Umgebung ein Gefühl der Sicherheit zu entwickeln. Damit wirst Du weniger schreckhaft. Versuch plötzliche Geräusche und Ereignisse eher mit Erstaunen als mit Erschrecken zu verbinden. Laß sie erst mal vorbei sein und drehe Dich erst dann danach um. Vermeide alle Art an Horrorliteratur, Horrorfilmen und Thriller, da selbige die Ängste vor plötzlichen Ereignissen puschen. Ich hoffe Du kommst darüber hinweg und schaffst es dieses völlig unsinnige 'ich muß Angst vor allem haben' zu überwinden.
Ich hatte es irgendwann als Kind ausgerechnet zu Silvester gelernt, mich nicht mehr zu erschrecken. Das dauerhafte plötzlich Knallen tat ja erstmal nichts und es gehörte zur Umgebung einfach mit dazu. Also akzeptierte ich es als es ein 'es knallt eben gelegentlich plötzlich und dabei passiert weiter nichts'. So etwas funktioniert. Es ist äußerst wichtig eine derartige Gleichgültigkeit vor plötzlichen Geräuschen zu entwickeln. Viel Erfolg dabei!

I’ve had something similar happen to me. A few times, actually. I was just SEVERLY stressed so I was that much more sensitive. It was awful but when my life calmed down, so did my brain.

Just for all the others shorter and in English. You should try to treet all noises as a normal part of the normal environment. The root cause is mostly to fear something really bad may happen that also causes noises. Because of this you are listening and fear all the noises. You have to ignore them. Skip watching horror films and thrillers that cause and increase such fears. Try to hear much more radio because it distracts from other noises. And learn to ignore any noises even the loud one as a part of the normal environment. It's possible.

One last hint. As more as you expect noises just to happen and to be a quite normal thing in your environment as less are you afraid of them because it's something that you expect and that has to be here because otherwise would something be strange and wrong in your environment. You need to change your view of the noises and expect them as something that should always be there.

Maybe try a weighted vest that you could wear under your clothes?

https://www.ablekidsfoundation.org/cent ... solutions/

^This place makes a device that helps a ton with sound sensitivity. It works by slowing the speed of your faster ear to your slower ear, so sound reaches the same point in the brain at the same time and can be processed. Despite the name, they work with adults as well as kids. However, this could be expensive.

Don't push yourself right now, and use sensory toys. When you go out, plan carefully how you will avoid meltdown, and what you will do if you get there. Bring a good sensory snack (My favorite is sun flower seeds) and a water bottle to take sips out of if you get nervous.

I feel you.




I haven't tried a vest yet but it sounds like a good idea - I really love my weighted blanket. I've been trying to cut myself some slack over the past few days - I guess I'm more autistic on some days than others and that's okay.

How much time each day do you spend on the Internet and watching television? Both can be very stressful.

Reading a book is less stressful because you can do it at your own pace.

I'm doing a PhD so I spend a LOT of time reading and writing. I watch TV for an hour max a day. Can't cope with more - it's too much to take in. And I agree - reading is less stressful. I couldn't imagine watching TV all day.

You can think I’m crazy all you want, but if you’re truly at your wits end, trying this simple thing can’t possibly hurt anything:

Soak in a hot bath with several cups of epsom salts for as long as you can. Eat a pinch of epsom salts. Keep your feet in a hot foot bath saturated with epsom salts alllll day while you read, watch tv, sit online, listen to music etc. Put a bit of Epsom salts and water in your hand, dissolve them, and rub it all over your chest/back etc in order to just let it absorb all day/night. And drink plenty of water.

Why? According to medical stats, 70% of people on the autism spectrum are sensitive to salicylate acids from food. If you’re deficient in magnesium & sulphur, the minerals Epsom salts are comprised of, these food acids build up and wreak havoc on our nervous systems. Edit: Once the salts absorb through your skin (and they absorb Best through the bottoms of your feet, hence foot soaks) your body has the minerals necessary to bind to the excess acids so you can excrete them out via urination. (A sign of sa sensitivity is excessive urination, having to pee 8+ times/day as your body is trying to rid itself of acids but can’t due to a mineral deficiency.)

When I first learned and did this for myself over 5 years ago, the Worst depression of my life was all but completely lifted within 5 days. Same for sky high anxiety And the most extreme audio sensitivity I’ve ever had. (I sleep with earplugs in, and at that time the sound of my own heart beating kept me awake at night) After 5 or 6 days I was out for dinner at a busy noisy pub with some visiting relatives and didn’t even have headphones in on low volume to drown out background noises! My executive functioning also improved dramatically.

4kg of epsom salts costs about $10, maybe less where you live. Worth a shot, IMO.

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but listening to music on very isolating earphones helps me deal with the chaotic noise of the world.

Think of it as controlled noise blocking out random unpredictable noises.

Guess that's how my obsession with earphones started!! !

Etymotic earphones are the kings of noise isolation.