Stimulated by Sensory Overload

[Obrien8175]

Hi, does anyone else have their FND stimulated by sensory overload?? The strong triggers for my FND (non-epileptic seizures, tics/twitches) are when my visual and auditory sensory stimulation overload me...such as being in groups, gatherings, stores, church, work meetings, etc. Anyone have tips that help you manage this? Thank you!!

[Willothewisp81]

Hi Obrien8175,

yes I have exactly the same, I was not aware of the link until lockdown when my symptoms decreased hugely and then when lockdown restrictions eased they went off the sale again everytime I spent time anywhere where busy.

Since then I have been diagnosed as being autistic and as part of the assessment I got given my sensory profile, which identified that my sensory system is extremely hypersensitive in all areas but most profoundly for auditory and visual input.

It has been extremely lifechanging for me to understand that I have lived my entire life pushing myself to ignore and tolerate senosry overload (until FND forced me to stop) I think a lot of this comes from being told as a child that I was making a fuss over nothing and that I was too sensitive and needed to get over it.

I am now learning slowly how to work in tune with my sensory system. It's still very early days for me and I still often reach complete overload before I remember my system needs and realise I need to take a break. But when I have managed to tune into my sensory needs and plan for them it has has a very positive effect on managing my FND symptoms.

[WorriedPappa in reply to Willothewisp81]

My Daughter has the same, however, she is also diagnosed with Autism. Like people have mentioned nice cancelling headphones do help

[Van604 in reply to Willothewisp81]

I was told by a neuropsychiatrist that I have conversion disorder and he said I had to see a psychologist to work on my "trauma". After 18 months, the psychiatrist couldn't find any trauma and said he thought I was autistic. My problems with sensory overload have got a lot worse as I've got older and it's the same with most members of my family. I think a lot of people with autism (especially females) are being misdiagnosed because autism is seen as mostly a male thing. The neuropsychiatrist made me do more of the things that bothered me, which just made it worse. It's a desensitization technique, but was disasterous for me. Instead, I do better in environments that are more natural, with less harsh artificial lighting, and less mechanical noise and vibration. I moved to a smaller town, to a quiet neighbourhood, and I now tune into my body more and stop when I've had enough.

[Willothewisp81 in reply to Van604]

Hi Van604,

that's interesting, I was referred to Neuropsych for my FND just after my autism diagnosis, I was really worried I would be offered CBT type care and expected to 'train' my self to not become overstimulated but in fact the neuropsych was incredibly autism aware. He helped me learn how to spot when I am becoming sensory overloaded and encouraged me to give myself permission to take a break or avoid doing the things that trigger the worst overload. Since then I have radically changed the way I live and what I expose myself to and I've been managing so much better but most importantly I am so much happier.

It's great to hear that making life changes has worked for you too!

[Van604 in reply to Willothewisp81]

Oops, typo in my original message. It was the psychiatrist who was all over CBT. The psychologist accepted that it was wrong for me. That gave me the confidence to stop seeing the psychiatrist and that's when things turned around.

[210272]

Hi Obrien8175,

Great question and thanks for reaching out here I don't have FND/Conversion Disorder but I do have migraine occasionally and there are some environments that can hike symptom levels for me if my threshold is out of whack due to other factors (eg the weather). I work on repetition theory IE the more I expose myself to these environments the less they bother me but I could only start doing that when I had time to recuperate if I did get a symptom hike and am not sure I'd risk it if I had non epileptic seizures, like you.

Other people with migraine report using various 'tech fix life hacks' to avoid sensory overload symptom hikes such as migraine lenses (they don't work for me but vista mesh lenses do and my optician let me do the 'try before you buy' thing, bless him). Noise cancelling headphones are also used although some people find white or pink noise more soothing than no noise. Weighted vests etc get mentioned more often now (they can help to 'ground' people) and people are now often upfront about their symptom triggers in work meetings so their co-workers can support them and are more understanding if they need to take breaks and/or to go outside and walk somewhere calm for a while. The autism community seem to use similar strategies and are making waves regarding acceptance, understanding and inclusion.

So, thankfully, there is a lot more understanding out there about sensory stuff with some stores offering low sensory shopping hours and some churches cutting back on fragrance use etc. Getting into the driving seat around all this (with support from your doctor, of course) can make a lot of difference. Us neuro-divergent people are totally rocking it when it comes to progress in society, eh? And - this might sound a bit woo woo so apologies if it does - sometimes saying things like 'I have FND but it does not have me' (I say this about migraine) can remind us that we are waaaaay more than our symptoms. Hats off to you for keeping so active and here's hoping some of these life hacks are useful to you

[Guthriegabs]

Absolutely. Sensory overload is what keeps me from being able to teach in a classroom, go to a concert, go dancing, drive, and avoid many things I used to love to do.

Prescription sunglasses worn in stores and restaurants has helped me.

AirPods Pro noise cancellation has allowed me to get through airports and other noisy places.

Wearing a baseball cap or a hat with a brim helps too.