Sensory overload

[Swift123]

Hey im seriously struggling with sensory overload atm, i have 2 childre aged 4 and 2, and im loosing my temper with them alot because just the sound of their voises is a trigger for me, i feel awful on them because its not their fault, they aren't being naughty, they ate just being kids but i can't cope with the noise! Does anyone have any tips on how to manage sensory overload? Is there any medicine that helps? I dont know if its worth mentioning it to my doctor or if its just another part of fibromyalgia i have to struggle with.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Sensory overload can be a nightmare, especially when it's having such an impact on your daily life.

I get more sensory overload from light more than sound, so manage by wearing tinted glasses.

Ear plugs might help to dampen down the noise intensity - but obviously you still need to be able to hear a certain amount

[Cat00]

This is the first problem I had with lock down, my kids were 2 and 6 and just the shear relentless noise drove me crazy. The only time they were quiet was when watching tv and the noise of kids tv is relentless too. Id get so uptight id have to sit outside on the doorstep for a bit and I lost my temper a lot too. The amount of mess they could make in such a short period of time was exhausting too.

I managed, at times, to get them engaged in more quiet activities, like playdough or colouring. But its still something I struggle with.

[Midori in reply to Cat00]

I think we have all got antsy during this darned pandemic. When we are forced into close contact with little or no respite it does grate on the nerves.

Doctors are reporting a big uptick of folk seeking help for depression and other metal health problems.

My son (carer), usually lurks in his man cave except when I need him, and I'm usually happy in my lair at the other end of the house! But the last month has been awful as we have had builders in extending the Man Cave, so he's been in the Lady Lair with me, and we are starting to grate on each other's nerves a bit!

Cheers, Midori

[Cat00 in reply to Midori]

Yup my parents used to help but they had to shield and my husband's work involves antibodies so he had to work long hours. I previously used exercise to manage my fibro pain but the gym was shut and then also my treatment for chronic migraines stopped bc it involves lots of injections. I had 18 days of migraine in the first month of lockdown, no school, no nursery. It was hell!

[Midori]

Yes, please talk to your doctor, as this will soon start to impact on your children's mental health.

[GrumpyTired]

Totally feel you on this. I’ve suffered similarly across lockdown. It’s easy to get a short fuse when the kids trigger auditory overload and then pain.

I find this is particularly hard when we’re all in doors together. And so the Best thing I found was getting outdoors with them, there is something about being out with the wind whipping around and the trees rustling that makes the sound copeable.

Sometimes I listen to binaural sounds, sometimes ambient music to change the quality of the sound in the room.

It’s probably different for everyone but although I am very sensitive to sound: some sounds are healing/calming and others are distressing triggering. It’s worth experimenting and finding what works for you.

Another option:noise cancelling headphones really take the edge off things.

I’ve not tried these but you get those headphones for tinnitus that block out sounds

[Sally444]

I'm not sure if it will help but I find if I get engrossed in something, I can almost totally block out noise no matter what it is. So if there is something you enjoy doing, such as reading, cooking, art work etc. try to focus purely on that, it might help. I like the idea of noise cancelling headphones but probably not sensible when you have small children! 😂😂

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Oh dear must be horrid for you with noise and as you say they are just being playful children, not an answer I know but do you have any family during the week that can give you a break and take them out ? Are there play schools/nursery they can attend once a week ? It can be very tiring in general with young children and having the condition of fibro also to cope with on top. Perhaps at weekends if you have a partner could they take them out for a couple of hours, we all need that quiet time with a cuppa xx