Sensory overload
state of overwhelm caused by an excess of sensory input
Sensory overload is when one or more of the body's senses experiences over-stimulation from the environment. There are many things that impact an individual. Examples of these elements are urbanization, crowding, noise, mass media, technology, and the explosive growth of information.[1] Sensory overload is commonly associated with sensory processing disorder. Like its opposite sensory deprivation, it has been used as a means of torture.[2][3]
Symptoms
changeThere are a variety of symptoms that have may cause sensory overload. These symptoms can occur in both children and adults. Some of these symptoms are:
- Irritability
- "Shuts down", or refuses to participate in activities and/or interact with others
- Avoids touching or being touched
- Gets overexcited
- Covers eyes around bright lights
- Makes poor eye contact
- Covers ears to close out sounds or voices
- Complains about noises that do not affect others
- Having difficulty focusing on an activity
- Constantly changing activities, never completing a task
- Irritation caused by shoes, socks, tags, or different textures
- Over-sensitivity to touch, movement, sights, and/or sounds
- Has trouble with social interactions
- Extremely high or extremely low activity levels[1]
- Muscle tension
- Fidgeting and restlessness
- Angry outbursts
- Sleeplessness/fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating[4]
References
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "What is Sensory Overload". Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2015-08-03.
- ↑ Effects of Psychological Torture
- ↑ Isolation, Sensory Deprivation & Sensory Overload
- ↑ "SPD & Psychopathology in Adults". Sharon Heller. Archived from the original on 2023-01-14. Retrieved 2015-08-03.
