Sensory Issues.

[Gabby]

Well because of my Autism I already have sensory processing issues. But when the PTSD is in relapse, my sensory sensitivities are even more heighten, like I can't stand to have males stand by me, in case they touch me, etc.

 

[BloomInWinter]

It takes about ten minutes in a Walmart to forget why I'm there. In thirty minutes, these days, I'll forget who I am entirely. It's a perfect storm of sensory overload.

Ten whole minutes? You're my hero! Seriously, EVERYTHING you've listed, and then some. Wow.

Great thread. So sad to read how many go through this.

 

[Gabby]

Yes it can be sad. Its thought that some people with Sensory Processing Disorder have actually been miss diagnosed with a anxiety disorder!

 

[BloomInWinter]

My hubby and I laughed out loud together at this thread....SOOOOO me!

 

[Gabby]

So you get sensory processing issues as well!

 

[Heather]

LIke bugs on my skin in the shower? You mean there's a name for it and I'm NOT a freak. Wow.

 

[Gabby]

Yeah you are not a freak! Showers to me feel like glass coming down on my skin!

 

[Bachall]

Holy cow Niki, the eye thing. Me too! For the exact same reason.

Our doorknobs and lightswitches and toilets and sinks WERE nasty, so I have no idea - OCD? I dunno, but I cannot touch these without shuddering and simply can't in public places.

Raise your hand if you know the sleeve trick. If the bathroom door has a "pull" handle and no paper towels, I pull my sleeve over my hand like a glove and THEN open the door.

Though lately I've discovered how handy a shawl is for this among other things.

 

[NIKI]

Raise your hand if you know the sleeve trick. If the bathroom door has a "pull" handle and no paper towels, I pull my sleeve over my hand like a glove and THEN open the door.

*NIKI raises her hand*

 

[Bachall]

More texture, and how about taste?

I loathe shag carpets.

I run around barefoot everywhere. I love outside dirt, and hate inside dust and dirt. I compulsively wash and brush off my feet, but I refuse to wear anything on them.

I love the look of leather seating, but I'm not comfy on it. I feel trapped because it's "sticky." Car upholstery is okay.

I wear as little as is decent, but always need something very soft to throw over me if I'm going to stay in place for very long.

I can't eat mushy savory dishes, or hard/crunchy sweet dishes. Or cake. Except super tender cake with really light frosting. No grape jelly. Or big red apples. Even looking at those still turns my tummy.

On the other hand, fresh tropical fruit, berries, certain kinds of veggies, and any kind of mousse or jello salad make me very happy. :) Any real cheeses send me to my happy place. My plan here with the sheep is actually to learn to make cheese, fact.

Unfortunately soda is all too comforting too, and probably easiest to get my hands on. Trying to kick that habit. Also fried foods. Eek.

 

[Gabby]

i don't like touching bathroom handles either.

 

[ProductOfSociety]

Lights that aren't even bright bother me. When I am on the computer or watching TV I don't like to have any other lights on at all because it's so distracting, I can't concentrate. Bright lights give me headaches. Sometimes when I go outside it's not even sunny and I feel as if I am being blinded, it takes forever for me to adjust.
I have always had a really ridiculous sense in smell, this is what I hate the most. I feel as if I can't breathe in things that smell terrible.
Noises, mmm, I just don't like for things to be loud. I also have trouble concentrating if there is any noise anywhere when I am trying to focus. It makes me really angry when there is a noise and I can't cancel it out. In high school I would always sick my fingers in my ears when trying to read something when others were talking.
When cold air hits my head I get headaches. I can't have AC in the car on high, or blowing on me. However if I do get a headache by air, turning it off gets rid of the headaches immediately. It's the strangest thing.