Overstimulation refers to a state where one’s senses are exposed to excessive external stimuli. This can result in feelings of stress, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty focusing. Overstimulation is not a condition in itself, but rather a symptom associated with certain disorders and situations.
Sensory Processing Disorder
One of the most common causes of overstimulation is sensory processing disorder (SPD). SPD is a condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes through the senses. This includes sound, sight, taste, smell, touch, body awareness, and balance.
Individuals with SPD are more sensitive to certain stimuli and can become easily overwhelmed. Loud noises, bright lights, crowds, scratchy fabrics, and strong smells are examples of inputs that can overstimulate someone with SPD. When overstimulated, they may cover their ears, avoid eye contact, or lash out.
SPD occurs in around 5-16% of school-aged children. Symptoms of overstimulation are most noticeable in childhood but can persist into adulthood in some cases.
Signs of overstimulation due to SPD:
- Becoming upset in crowded, noisy places
- Disliking being touched unexpectedly
- Avoiding sensory-rich environments
- Difficulty filtering out background noise
- Trouble paying attention
- Unusually high or low pain tolerance
Autism
Overstimulation can also be a symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Around 70% of autistic individuals have some degree of sensory processing challenges.
People with autism tend to have brains that are easily overstimulated. Too much sensory input can trigger sensory overload, resulting in elevated stress, anxiety, and discomfort. This can cause some autistic people to avoid environments with a lot of stimulation.
Some research suggests that autistic brains have enhanced connections between regions that perceive stimuli and regions that process emotions. This could explain why overstimulation more readily leads to overwhelming emotional reactions for those with ASD.
Signs of overstimulation in autism:
- Covering ears to dull noise
- Aversion to bright lights
- Discomfort with certain textures
- Rocking, pacing, or flapping hands when overwhelmed
- Outbursts or meltdowns
- Withdrawing from social situations
Anxiety Disorders
Individuals with anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also experience overstimulation.
Anxiety causes the brain and body to be on heightened alert. People with chronic anxiety are always anticipating threats. This puts their nervous system in an activated state looking for more stimuli. As a result, normal sensory input can become overwhelming.
Additionally, those with OCD and PTSD may be triggered by certain sights, sounds, or other stimuli related to their intrusive thoughts or past traumas. This can evoke feelings of anxiety, irritation, and loss of control.
Signs of overstimulation with anxiety disorders:
- Feeling overwhelmed in crowded spaces
- Startling easily at noises
- Distraction and inability to focus
- Agitation after prolonged stimulation
- Panic attacks triggered by stimuli related to obsessions or traumas
- Withdrawing socially to limit input
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves problems with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD can become overstimulated when there is too much sensory input to process.
ADHD brains are constantly seeking stimulation. But they have lower thresholds before that stimulation becomes excessive and starts to impair functioning. Sources of overstimulation include loud settings, bright lights, crowds, clutter, and chaotic environments.
Additionally, ADHD brains struggle to filter out irrelevant sensory information. Trying to focus amidst excess stimuli can overwhelm working memory and attention spans. This makes concentration difficult.
Signs of overstimulation with ADHD:
- Difficulty focusing and staying on task
- Emotional outbursts and sensory overload
- Fidgeting, restlessness, and difficulty sitting still
- Distractibility and forgetfulness
- Withdrawing from activities due to feeling overwhelmed
Migraines
Overstimulation can also act as a trigger for migraine headaches. Migraine sufferers are sensitive to stimuli like light, sound, smells, hunger, weather changes, and stress. Exposure to one or more of these stimuli can throw the brain into an excited state that leads to a migraine attack.
Researchers believe this is related to the hyperexcitability of nerve cells in the brain during a migraine. Moreover, magnesium deficiency has been associated with migraines. Since magnesium quiets nerve activity, low levels may contribute to overstimulation.
Signs of overstimulation before a migraine:
- Extreme sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea
- Aura – visual disturbances like flashing lights
- Hypersensitivity to smells
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
Highly Sensitive People
Finally, overstimulation can simply be a personality trait in people who are highly sensitive. Around 15-20% of people identify as highly sensitive persons (HSPs). This means their nervous system processes stimuli more deeply.
HSPs tend to be more aware of subtleties in their environment. While this can be a strength, too much input at once can feel intolerable. Loud settings, complex social situations, and chaotic spaces tend to quickly overstimulate HSPs.
Being highly sensitive is innate and linked to specific brain wiring. It is not considered a disorder. However, HSPs are generally more prone to overstimulation and need to carefully manage their environment to stay balanced.
Signs of overstimulation in highly sensitive people:
- Becoming overwhelmed in group settings
- Discomfort with loud noises or bright lights
- Easily startled
- Aversion to violent media
- Trouble multi-tasking or focusing amidst clutter
- Preference for minimizing stimuli
Dealing with Overstimulation
If overstimulation is negatively impacting your life, there are ways to prevent and cope with it:
- Identify your sensory triggers and avoid them or limit exposure.
- Carry noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, or other tools to dull input.
- Take sensory breaks when feeling overwhelmed.
- Prioritize getting adequate sleep and nutrition.
- Practice stress management and relaxation techniques.
- Make time for physical activity and hobbies.
- Create a low-stimulation home environment.
- Communicate your needs to others.
- Consider occupational therapy to learn coping strategies.
If overstimulation severely impacts daily life, consult a doctor or mental health professional. They can assess if an underlying disorder is to blame and advise on management approaches tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
In summary, overstimulation can stem from conditions like SPD, autism, anxiety, ADHD, and migraines. It can also simply be a personality trait in highly sensitive people. The root cause will determine the best strategies for coping. But generally limiting excessive sensory input, taking sensory breaks, and making lifestyle adjustments can go a long way. With the right approach, the symptoms of overstimulation can be managed.