Sensory overload

Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses experiences over-stimulation from the environment. There are many environmental elements that affect an individual. Examples of these elements are urbanization, crowding, noise, mass media, and technology. There are a wide variety of symptoms that have been found to be associated with sensory overload. These symptoms can occur in both children and adults. Some of these symptoms are: Irritability "Shutting down", or refusing to participate in activities and interact with others Avoiding touching or being touched Complaining about noises that do not affect others Getting overexcited Covering eyes around bright lights Making poor eye contact Covering ears to close out sounds or voices Constantly changing activities without completing any tasks Irritation caused by shoes, socks, tags, or different textures Over-sensitivity to touch, movement, sights, or sounds Having trouble with social interactions Extremely high or extremely low activity levels Muscle tension Hyperhidrosis (extreme perspiration) Fidgeting and restlessness Angry outbursts Self-harm Sleeplessness and fatigue Difficulty concentrating Sensory overload can result from the overstimulation of any of the senses. Hearing: loud noise, or sound from multiple sources, such as several people talking at once. Sight: crowded or cluttered spaces, bright lights, strobing lights, or environments with much movement such as crowds or frequent scene changes on television. Smell and taste: strong aromas or spicy foods. Touch: tactile sensations such as being touched by another person or the feel of cloth on skin. Vestibular: such as dizziness or motion sickness. Sensory overload has been found to be associated with other disorders and conditions such as: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) People with ADHD display hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli from a young age; this hypersensitivity often persists into adulthood.