Too much noise, too bright, too busy, too stuffy, too close, too warm, too cold, too smelly, too rough, too prickly, too itchy, too damp, too dry, too chatty, too ...obtuse.
The sources of sensory overload are endless -and inconsistent. They actually hurt. Due to neurological issues, which are worth delving into if one has an interest in neuroscience, they can make life unbearable and seriously affect our mental wellbeing.
Yet we remain quiet about it because there is no way our neurotypical society will change to include us, the weak and the weary, the neurodivergent and the recovering patients, including Long Covid sufferers. Therefore, at the moment, the only solution to these daily daggers is to adapt, to find aids that work and do not bring too much attention to us (because that too is too much!). Thanks to Autism Awareness coming on leaps and bounds this century, there are lots of options available for people who suffer from sensory issues. Definitely worth a search, because some can be literally life-changing. I have acquired several such life-savers over the past few years and I take notice of others who also don the aids when out and about. As my colleague Sharon used to say: "Adapt or Die"; in my case, "Adapt or Withdraw", which I know is a very common solution, but not too astute in the long run...
In my own experience, it only takes a few easy steps to prevent discomfort and potential meltdowns by sensory overload. The difficulty lies in realizing that there is a need to take action and then finding an adequate solution; one does not like to make a fuss and rather than complain about the many triggers that are to be faced daily, many just play the avoidance card, but this often leads to isolation and ensuing mental health issues... So, failing adapting the environment so as to ensure that it does not cause any issues, any sensory aids are worth exploring. The only problem is that many ear defenders or glasses are quite showy and it is necessary to explain why they are in use time and time again, at which point reactions vary, from the very understanding to the plain disdain for being so fussy. It is not easy being sensitive.
The following list isn't exhaustive, many people's symptoms are far worse...
Ears: My most vulnerable sensory apparatus; they fill me with delight when I listen to music, children chattering, cats purring, the sea churning the pebbles on Sidmouth beach, birds singing (especially that Temple Street Blackbird who has learnt to imitate burglar alarms); yet they cripple me with permanent tinnitus and an extraordinary ability to feel pain when perceiving loud noises. In addition to this, my autistic brain makes it possible for me to hear the most random, insignificant noises and find myself unable to concentrate on anything else -a nightmare when lights are humming!
Thank goodness for ear defenders, noise-cancelling headphones and medication! While living in a quiet world would be ideal, our busy society and modern lack of consideration for others makes it quite impossible to insulate oneself whilst still enjoying a fulfilled life.
Still, don't be surprised if many of us had rather stay at home or go out for fresh air far from the madding crowds.
Nose: Some smells are simply unbearable, while others are heavenly. Nothing unusual there, but being able to smell bacon from afar when it makes your stomach churn is a major issue; so is walking among crowds where women have liberally sprayed themselves with expensive or cheap perfumes alike. Having a 'good nose' does have its drawbacks. Masks provided a welcome solution at the height of the pandemic but using one of those these days is again seen as a social stance, which can be totally misunderstood...
Skin: Of course our clothes are designed to keep our bodies warm or cool, as required, through providing skin cover. So, temperature regulating is relatively easy to control. Unfortunately, that is not the only problem faced by some of us; different fabrics may cause extreme discomfort, sometimes even rashes; fabric intolerance can drastically reduce the range of clothes a person may wish to wear; labels sown in shop-bought clothes can be a nightmare for especially sensitive people -never mind fashion-cred, my first priority when buying skin-contact clothes is to remove those irritants. Clothing is not all that straight-forward for everyone.
Then there are grooming products to beware of, sensitive skin and / or dry skin can flare up at the slightest use of the 'wrong' product or not having the time or the inclination to moisturize regularly... Whatever the factors that lead to this, having the itches is excruciating in its own way, really unforgiving and exhausting.
And finally, being touched can be distressing; whether light touch or hugs, not all of us are 'tactile' and contact with others may cause excruciating anxiety. I personally have trouble enjoying my cat's cuddles when she snuggles up close to my face because her soft fur on my checks and chin just feels 'too much'; this is not an allergy, thank goodness! My sense of touch just goes into overload when her fur comes into contact with my face; however, I love stroking her with my hands.
Eyes: Looking away, closing one's eyes, wearing strong protective lenses, avoiding flashes and even shutting oneself in a darkened room are all simple enough solutions to avoid overload sickness due to eye sensitivity. Not always practical, though; a migraine attack requiring lying in a darkened room may not always be seen to with ease, but generally the choice is there to protect our eyes or not, according to our own needs.
However, this is not the case when plunged in a working environment (or mere social situations) the design of which has had very little thought given to employees' sensory issues; tube lights are notoriously bad for brains, but they still abound in most offices and schools... And wearing Migralens glasses indoors makes it a very dark place indeed, assuming that was even allowed. The more we speak out against those old-fashioned energy-saving harmful lights, the less we'll see, hopefully.
Taste buds: Similarly to the previous sense, taste overload can be controlled quite easily so rarely features in anyone's list of sensory issues. It is easy enough to avoid the tastes that bring discomfort or anguish and the world has evolved adequately so that most of us are free to choose a diet that suits us and to refuse to swallow, or even taste, anything that does not suit.
There may be a legitimate reason why someone behaves like a 'fusspot', worth investigating and understanding in order to avoid worse complications later on. I myself have apologized many times for being fussy over the years, also scolded myself and soldiered on, pushing the discomfort to the back of my mind, keeping myself as busy as I possibly could so that I would blissfully slip into oblivion when sleep claimed me at last.
Sensory issues have an impact on sleep and health in a way that is still little talked about. Many autistic people know this only too well, but in the past two years, many Long Covid sufferers have come to get inside knowledge of this affliction, too. The neurological damage caused by Covid 19 is narrowing the gap between the neurotypical and the neurodivergent, in terms of what they experience with their senses and what they can cope with, compared to healthier people.
Sensory issues will make a person jumpy and hyper-alert, reducing the chances of successfully turning to meditation or mindfulness for relief, so the pursuit of peace, plenitude, complete relaxation is paramount in this battle against overload... It needs to be carefully planned for, diligently adhered to as a matter of priority; the support of loved ones and professionals is always appreciated and necessary in this endeavour.
Exploring the trials of sensory issues brings a new light on the interpretation of the following quote, somewhat bleak in the sense that it seems hardly achievable:
... Tell that to my nervous system! 😭
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