Sensory Processing Issues

[EveHarrington]

I’m just wondering who else may have sensory processing issues?

The diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder is controversial and not official in many parts of the world, but I think as adults, we can identify if we have sensory processing issues even without an official diagnosis.

Much of the info out there is about kids with sensory processing issues. I know I’ve had these issues since childhood, and they’ve only gotten worse!

My issue is with too much sensory input. I struggle in the areas of touch, auditory, and visual.

I’m curious what sensory areas others struggle with?

I am making lists of my traits to share with my therapist and doctor. It is long!

How do you cope with your sensory struggles?

I realize I have “adapted” in many ways.

—earplugs go with me everywhere
—avoid noisy public places at all costs to avoid episodes
—my wardrobe is repetitive because once I find something that fits right, & feels right, I’ll buy it in every color
—I wear my hair short because it hurts (as in, ruin my day HURTS) to brush it
—everything is worn in layers in all seasons in order to temperature regulate & pressure regulate
—I wear sunglasses everywhere, indoors too, as the light is just too much for me

There’s more, but this is just a start!

I’m thinking of getting a pair of blue tinted glasses because I heard that this can help with too much visual stimulation. At best, it works! At worst I’m only out like $30.

So what areas do you struggle with? What have you done to adapt?

Thanks!

 

[MrMoonlight]

earplugs go with me everywhere

I know that loud repetitive noises can trigger me hard up to and including a flashback. I like the idea of earplugs or headphone or plugs. The only problem for me is completely shutting down sound can also be scary because I can't hear things coming.

It's a balance for me I guess. Sometimes I think removing sound/noise would be good if everyone was seated but not so good if people are streaming by.

Whatever the case earplugs, headphones, buds would be a really good item to always carry.

 

[Tinyflame]

Mine is a combination, unless it's sometimes glaring (uncomfortable clothing, freezing). Sometimes things bother me, sometimes not as much. Probably cumulative, and my focus, or lack of, sleeplessness, pain, etc. But anything that leads to being triggering- that is the worst. It's the reminder of how I feel, that leads to other thoughts, and ends up worse than the original thing that bothered me.

Like @MrMoonlight said, if the 'cure' increased my anxiety or hypervigilance- or at least is 'unhelpful' vigilance, because I'm trying to 'lower' that- I can feel worse. So one headphone (ear)- but not two. Warm clothes- but not something so constrictive I can't run in them. Lower lighting- but not all shadows. Silence- but if I'm hearing the clock tick downstairs.. maybe not constant. Etc. Try to pin down what's bugging me, and why, and change it if possible, or if not, redirect temporarily.

I should let go of all/ any of my uncomfortable clothes! :laugh: :tup:

Best I can find words atm! Hope that makes sense! :( :confused:

 

[grit]

Wow! I am sorry you are suffering in this way. it is sounds extremely painful and heavy load to carry. I am also surprised this is controversial really?? why would it be? To me it sounds it is normal reaction to childhood trauma?

I read one time a woman who was abused so much that in order to survive (as a child) she lived in her head and never became aware of her body and as an adult would often fall for no reason...ended up having just bad balance and I also read many times people losing their sight after extreme trauma...so I am not sure it is so controversial anymore?

 

[EveHarrington]

Wow! I am sorry you are suffering in this way. it is sounds extremely painful and heavy load to carry. I am also surprised this is controversial really?? why would it be? To me it sounds it is normal reaction to childhood trauma?

I read one time a woman who was abused so much that in order to survive (as a child) she lived in her head and never became aware of her body and as an adult would often fall for no reason...ended up having just bad balance and I also read many times people losing their sight after extreme trauma...so I am not sure it is so controversial anymore?

The controversy comes into play as to whether or not it’s a separate disorder or if it can just be lumped into every other disorder (anxiety, adhd, autism, etc etc etc). But, to my way of thinking, these symptoms are not accounted for fully in any other diagnosis so yes, it should be a separate diagnosis.

So for now, since it’s not an official diagnosis, I can faux diagnose myself with it (lol). Kidding. There’s no diagnosis code, it’s treatment isn’t covered by insurance (unless you can get it covered under some other code). This stuff is in its infancy and completely unheard of when I was a child.

I shared my findings with someone and got the “interesting” response. Now I know that outside of professionals, I must keep it to myself.

What I found interesting is that people who suffer with this stuff aren’t neurotypical. The autism spectrum has claimed that tag, so while it may be true, it’s not an adjective you’d want to claim in casual conversation if you have SPD as you’d forever be explaining “no, I’m not autistic, there are other disorders which take people out of the realm of being neurotypical, etc etc etc (EXHAUSTING!)”

I mean I’ve always known that my nervous system has been severely damaged and that I process things wrong. Who knows what came first, the trauma or the atypical nervous system? I have memories of both from a very young age.

Please don’t flame me, this is just the stuff I’m reading elsewhere.

I’m still researching all of this. Most stuff out there is geared toward kids with them notion that it’s simply outgrown. I (and others) are proof that it’s not simply outgrown, that it can carry over into adulthood.

 

[Druidcat]

I do, because it is super common for people with Sturge Weber Syndrome.
I have problems with loud noises and lights. I sometimes use a pair of Gunners for when I go to stores.
I'm also super klutzy (I know, kinda scary for a personal trainer lolol) and I don't learn physical movements well or fast.
I don't like to be touched either.

 

[Joan]

interesting thread....I have mostly sloughed mine off to PTSD hypervigilence....noise, too much input, etc......but there is so much more. Textures...I hate the feel of some things from cloth to food....I get the wearing the same clothes! Mine has really manifested in foods...from those I cannot stand to touch to those I cannot stand to eat.
I so relate to the hair thing... when it weighs too much and pulls on my scalp it hurts.
I cannot wear earplugs because of hypervigelance... I need to hear...but I get wanting to tune it all out

 

[jaccat]

I get it, but not constantly. There are times when just clothes touching my skin hurts, not everywhere, but random patches. I haven't yet found anything that stops that, other than waiting it out. Sometimes it takes a couple of days. I also get sensory overwhelm when I'm under a lot of stress, when everyday sights, sounds, smells become so unbearable it feels like my head's going to explode.

I also have joint hypermobility syndrome, and supect that might play a part, a least with the skin thing. But it's quite likely that that is alo a consequence of trauma.

 

[Tinyflame]

e joint hypermobility syndrome, and supect that might play a part, a least with the skin thin

Yes I didn't know that that is why I react to adhesives- pain patches, transdermal nicotine patches, to a lesser extent bandaids, supposedly the absence of collagen, there are several types. Thought it was just allergies/ overly sensitive skin.

 

[Fadeaway]

Yes, I have this. I have found the biggest factor to be sleep. I have determined that 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep is the best was to manage it. * Big heavy sigh* insomnia. The bane of my existence.

@jaccat I also have mild ehlos dancers syndrom ( give up, I hate typing on a phone) but hyper Mobil joints. The one thing I know I inherited from my mom who got it from her dad.

I am just now realizing I had symptoms as a kid due to anxiety. There is so little information out there for adults. Its mostly info for parents to help their kids. Frustrating.

 

[Lionheart]

I don't know if this is the same thing, but I was diagnosed with sensory sensitivity disorder. I was sent to a children's hospital and rehabilitation center and it was recommended that I listen to multiple CD's. The insurance company would not pay for them, (so I never got to listen to them).

Anyway, I am sensitive to chemicals, temperatures, light, sound, and touch. I wear soft cotton clothing, noise cancelling headphones, and also wear polarized sunglasses. I avoid extremes of temperature when I can, preferring that temps be in the 68 to 72 degree range, (outside of that and I am uncomfortable). I am also sensitive to cleaning products, glue, paint, perfumes, colognes. etc. so I avoid them whenever I can.

I am interested to know if this is the same as sensory processing disorder as there seem to be similarities.

 

[Tinyflame]

@Fadeaway if @EveHarrington doesn't mind (or if it applies to her, also?) , could you explain what you meant by:

have mild ehlos dancers syndrom ( give up, I hate typing on a phone) but hyper Mobil joints. The one thing I know I inherited from my mom who got it from her dad.

I am just now realizing I had symptoms as a kid due to anxiety.

Do you mean the sensory processing issues came from the anxiety, or came from the EDS? And did you find or do you find yourself sleeping with your arms above your head, to make it easier to breathe?

Thank you and Eve!