What Does It Mean to Be Sensory Sensitive?
We live in a highly stimulating culture that can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed. In such instances, most people can recover by taking a break from the noise and notifications of modern life. For some folks, however, it’s more complicated. The input coming in — sights, sounds, odors, and more — activates all their senses in a distressing way.
Individuals who have ongoing difficulty processing sensory input might be able to find relief by taking self-help steps. Others, however, could be dealing with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Either way, their quality of life will not improve unless changes are made to address the fact that they are sensory sensitive.
Common Signs That You Might Be Sensory Sensitive
It may begin with a vague sense of agitation and irritability, for which it’s hard to pinpoint a cause. Soon enough, you realize that you notice sensory input far more than most people you know. It could be clothing textures. It might be the sounds someone makes while eating. Whatever the source, you seem to be the first to know, and it drives you crazy.
Sensory sensitive people may struggle with related symptoms such as sleep issues, inability to concentrate, and being very particular about what they eat. It all adds up to spikes of anxiety in your daily life, which serve to start the cycle again.
In children, SPD may manifest in a child going to extremes to avoid the offensive sensory input. They cover their eyes or ears, complain, feel strong physical reactions, and try to escape the discomfort. Younger children may slide into a full-blown meltdown without being able to articulate why.
How Being Sensory Sensitive Can Take You By Surprise
Odors
It’s not unusual to find something like cigarette smoke or bleach to be unbearable. Sensory sensitive people, on the other hand, have a much longer list of smelly candidates. If, for example, you can’t be around certain colognes, the key is to identify that trigger. When you know what you don’t like, you can take proactive steps to manage it.
Sounds
Once again, some annoying sounds are obvious. Almost everyone dislikes extremely loud music, except in certain settings. Someone with SPD agrees, but they also cringe at the sound of drinks being slurped or the person who sings along to all the songs. There are technical solutions to many frustrating sounds once you’ve recognized your disdain for them.
Touch
At first glance, it may seem this section is about one person touching or being touched. And it often can be. But the bigger culprits are tight clothes, itchy textures, or toothbrush bristles on your gums. Don’t let anyone shame you about this. You have every right to set and enforce whatever boundaries you need.
Visual
There are individuals who are stressed by rapid-fire cuts in videos, games, etc. However, the most common visual triggers have to do with bright and/or flashing lights. Not only can they be annoying, but certain stimuli can cause nausea, migraines, or worse.
Taste
This is not about which food or drinks you like; it is solely based on taste. Sensory sensitive folks can have very strong preferences within the realms of differences like crunchy vs. smooth. They also might never eat food right out of the oven, preferring it to cool down to levels that others avoid. Once again, while it’s not an issue of right or wrong, outsiders can make it seem that way.
What Can You Do If You’re Sensory Sensitive?
There are countless adaptive tools and therapy modalities, like sensory integration. But the first step is to accept what’s going on and make the self-loving choice to get support. I’d love to help you find the proper balance you’re seeking. Reach out to us to learn more about howADHD or anxiety therapy can help.