Sensory Overload and ADHD: How to Manage Overstimulation.

We’ve all been in situations where we feel tense and stressed by our environment, whether it’s the level of noise at the kid’s soft play, the brightness of the lights at the supermarket, or a pungent smell that you just can’t get away from. For most people, these are normal situations that happen in daily life. For those with ADHD however, this is another story. 

Sensory overload is a difficult part of ADHD that goes unnoticed through masking. On the outside, a person with ADHD may feel calm and collected but, on the inside, they feel anxious, overwhelmed, and like they need to run.

How Our Brain Processes Information.

Our sensory nervous system is what controls how we perceive our environment and each person’s response to sensory stimuli is determined by their brain sensitivity threshold. Sensory stimuli such as light, touch, smell, hearing, and temperature tell us about our surroundings, so if a person’s brain has issues with how this information is received, it can lead to a sensory processing disorder.

What are Sensory Processing Disorders?

There are 3 types of sensory processing disorders, these are:

• Sensory Modulation Disorder – which regards the ability to regulate and organise reactions to sensory input.

• Sensory Discrimination Disorder – this regards the ability to interpret information, compare various details, and disregard irrelevant information.

• Sensory-Based Motor Disorder – regards difficulties stabilising, moving, or planning a series of movements in response to sensory demands.

The most common forms of sensory issues in those with ADHD are generally auditory, or sound-based. Sensory modulation disorder is the most relevant to those with ADHD, and can further be broken down into 3 different forms: Sensory Over-Responsivity, Sensory Under-Responsivity, and Sensory Seeking

Sensory Overload: ADHD and Sensory Processing.

There have been a number of recent studies that have looked at abnormalities in sensory processing in adults and children with and without ADHD, showing that those with ADHD process sensory input differently. The sensory issues in these studies included vision, hearing, touch, smell, balance, and multisensory integration, the severity of ADHD symptoms also showed that the more intense the ADHD symptoms the more likely they were to have sensory processing issues.

What Causes Sensory Overload?

In real terms, sensory overload happens when a person with a highly sensitive sensitivity threshold, like those with ADHD, receives too many sensory stimuli, causing them to experience certain sensations more intensely than someone without ADHD or with a lower sensitivity threshold. This overstimulation can lead to a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response and cause difficulties with daily functions.

Loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, crowds and crowded spaces, and, multitasking are common causes of sensory overload. A person in sensory overload may find it difficult controlling their emotions or actions and may experience any of the following:

• Feeling faint, nauseous, light-headed, or experiencing headaches and dizziness.

• Irritability, agitation, and emotional outbursts.

• Increased anxiety, stress, and possible panic attacks.

• Feeling restless and having difficulty sleeping.

How to Cope with Sensory Overload.

There are many ways to cope with sensory overload and ultimately the more it happens, the better your coping mechanisms will become. Lifestyle modification and treatment are the most proven to help minimise the impact on daily life. A good guide to follow in order to cope with the symptoms of overload are:

1. Pinpoint Your Triggers – understand what overwhelms you then tune into your surroundings and create strategies to avoid them.

2. Try Reducing Exposure – practical ways to avoid or reduce your triggers are avoiding busy or crowded places, planning more time for events or gatherings, buying clothes that feel comfortable, using fragrance-free soaps and detergents, and installing dimmable lights or blackout blinds for sleep.

3. Sensory Aids – noise-canceling headphones, earplugs, sunglasses, weighted blankets, and calming scented products to carry with you are all examples of sensory aids.

4. Relaxation Methods – try meditation, yoga, and deep breathing to ground yourself and focus your attention inward to block out external factors. Creating calming routines that help to ground you are also helpful, like a hot bath, hot drink, and reading your favourite book before bedtime.

5. Help from a Private ADHD Clinic in Manchester – understanding you and your ADHD is imperative to help you cope through important daily activities. The best way to do this is by contacting a private ADHD clinic in Manchester like Beyond Clinics.

ADHD Assessment and Diagnosis: Learn How to Cope with Sensory Overload.

Our team at Beyond Clinic is a dedicated group of specialist psychiatrists and practitioners with a shared passion for helping individuals with ADHD. Our comprehensive and robust ADHD assessment and evidence-based interventions help you to understand your unique ADHD personality, ultimately helping you to cope better with sensory overload and other symptoms

If you would like a confidential chat to discuss any concerns you may have then don’t hesitate to contact us today.