Over Stimulation Or Sensory Overload?

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

Recently I've been noticing that if there's too much going on I tend to dissociate. Maybe I'm noticing this now as I'm managing to stay more present?

Like if there's a conversation happening and music is on then I can feel overwhelmed and dissociate. Or there's music on and someone plays something on their phone it either makes me dissociative or angry and I really have to stop myself from telling them to shut the f*ck up.

I've just started to spend more time around people and I'm thinking is it just that I need to get used to it again. Even just spending time with people for more than 3 hours makes it difficult to stay present.

I'm pretty sure I don't have any sensory processing disorders and I really don't think I'm on the autism spectrum. I'm just wandering if anyone else struggles with this and how do you stay grounded/ stop yourself from punching people in the face.

 

[ladee]

I feel the same way. Haven't wanted to punch anyone in the face for awhile..but I do go on sensory overload.
Went to lunch with a friend yesterday.
When I got back home and was breathing again..I realized how much I HATE going out to eat.
It is exhausting..all the noise around me..I eat slow..always have..so I always end up bringing more than half the food home.
My stomach hurts..my ribs hurt (?) have no idea why.
So am going to start turning down invitations.
Call it avoidance or what the F ever..I'm tired of feeling this way. And not putting myself thru an hours worth of preperation just to do do something I don't even enjoy.
I'm talking about breathing, self talk , blah blah blah. Just to go be miserable.
There's other things I enjoy with people..in small groups.Those I will prepare for.
I've often wondered if there willl ever be a day I just get ready and leave the house without all this crap going on..to just walk out the door.
I understand..
Not saying don't go. You may be able to work thru it..
I hope you do..
Maybe others have suggestions to help with this.
Sorry for being so negative.

 

[illusionist]

I've noticed it is worse when I'm stressed, tired, or trying to concentrate on people who are talking....I've got a hearing problem. I tend to make excuses to leave the area and calm myself.....find with sensory overload it's extremely difficult to ground with so much going on around me.

When I know I'm going to social occasions I try to make sure I get enough sleep, chill before going and make sure I give myself enough time to get there so that my stress levels are lowered....it's easier to keep stress levels down then.

 

[garden]

I totally relate. I don't know how to reign it in completely, I just operate through it. I don't always know that I'm dissociating. I miss details of what people are saying, I see things but forget that I saw them...etc. I used to hide that this happened to me and beat myself up in private, it was horrible. Now I don't beat myself up, I just do my best with what I remember and know. Overstimulation will make me feel angry for no apparent reason, which then signals to me that I'm overstimulated and I can then take action to help myself. It helps that I have a very simple life and have moved from a city to the country where there is far less stimulation. Also, I only go into certain situations with planning. I can't just walk out my front door and 'play it by ear', there is a plan of action, and I stick to the plan and get myself home to recover from it all. It's exhausting, but I also plan naps, and baths, and down time. The hardest thing I do now is going to a martial arts class. I found a way to manage it, but basically on the days I do that I pretty much do nothing else, except make sure I eat and rest before hand. So far it's working out. Simplifying life, being deliberate about who I spend time around, and choosing activities with a plan have helped me manage. I hope this helps and you find what works for you.

 

[ladee]

@garden said."being deliberate who I spend time around". Yes. Yes. Yes. If I have to work to be around someone..there is a reason.
Not avoidance..but making healthy choices.

 

[illusionist]

I'm learning what 'angry ' feels like....I feel pressure zooming up to my head..the sign I'm about to dissacociate...as well as everything zooming into me,.sounds, sights, and smells become overpowering.

 

[ladee]

Surely someone will have an answer to this....why do we get so irratable and angry..?? Freeze,flight or fight?
In my early years. I was so overwhelmed in a restaurant one time , I impulsively stood up and yelled for everyone to be quite for a few f'n minutes.
Oh the place got quite and my husband was trying to crawl under the table.
I was escorted from the building and I remember wanting to start clearing tables off by swiping my arms across the tables. Common sense kicked in because I didn't want to go to jail.
I just wanted a QUIET dinner.
Ahhh. The good old days before I learned self regulation!!:laugh:

 

[illusionist]

I get the urge to pull my clothes off and run.....thankfully I've saved others the trauma.

 

[ladee]

@illusionist .:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

[ladee]

Well...I didn't mean for that to post three times..but it IS funny.

 

[illusionist]

Glad I made you laugh @ladee.....sometimes it's the only way forward.

I'm sure it's connected to Hypervigilance....maybe a lower grade of it, rather than full blown.

 

[ladee]

I just know I have the:devilish: face and the waiters tend to not stop by our table often to see if we need anything.
And laughter is my BEST medicine..I am very visual so it will take time for me not to see a random person shedding thier clothes and running every time I see your name!
Sorry for the hijack OP.:sorry: