Subconcious Sensory Overload

[CallMeLeo]

When people describe meltdowns or sensory overload my exoerience doesn’t quite match. Is it possible or does it happen where you are sensory overloaded and don’t realise. Like if i was affected by bright lights and sounds, or certain textures, would it ALWAYS be obvious to me that i’m getting mentally distressed by it or can you encounter these sorts of stimuli and carry on as normal unaware that subconciously they are bothering you.

[Tronsformer]

I don’t realise it bothers until it’s too late. And I only even began to recognise it a few months back whilst learning more about being ‘on the spectrum’ and that it is a trait.

Considering I like listening to music or podcasts or any background noise whilst I work I thought (naively) that it meant any and all sound.

But I found it is sound, light temperature or anything that make me lose focus or just not feeling comfortable. But when I’m doing a task or needing to focus that is when I notice it bother me the most.

So I’m with you in this case and that it’s not always obvious. But being aware of it and making a mental note of what makes it worse helped a lot. So to did fidget toys.

[growingpositively]

I saw this and felt I had to reply! I don't particularly have meltdowns, but meltdowns may look different, some people may have shorter temper, or take themselves away, things like that, when they are experiencing overload. Also, you may have become great at masking, without really realising it.

This one might get a bit complicated... There is not as much info on interoception, but interoception is more of an internal sense, your ability to know if you are hungry, thirsty, in pain, hot, cold, overwhelmed. So I personally mistake overwhelmed for dizzy. So this may be another reason why you are a bit uncertain.

If you don't recognise it until its too much, it could be if you have a mix of modulation and discrimination. This makes it really hard, because you are less aware of a sense, and overwhelmed by it at the same time, so it's like 0-100 in seconds.

Things like music are in our control, so can sometimes help to regulate.

Sorry to go on a bit about my personal experience but found it helped to explain a bit!

[CallMeLeo in reply to growingpositively]

That was actually very useful so thank you it does feel like 0-100 with nothing in between

[kevinmhickson]

Hi Leo.I would say a definite yes to your question. Some sensory sensitivity can be triggered by the most subtle or most unexpected environmental triggers and if so, can be missed or blamed on some thing else that is in reality completely unrelated. Over time we can further develop our awareness of triggers and take steps to avoid or to confront / manage them.

Kevin

[CallMeLeo in reply to kevinmhickson]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the reply i think you got the essence of what i was asking, thank you