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Sensory hyposensitivity instead of hypersensitivity?

M

meow123

Active Member
When I was being assessed for dyspraxia, I did a sensory processing questionnaire which was scored ( I'm not sure why my autism/Aspergers assessment didn't include this) . I scored as "much more than others" on Low Registration ( sensory hyposensitivity). I know autistic people are known to have sensory sensitivities ( bothered by/scared of loud noises, hate tags/labels/seams/certain textures etc), but as an adult I don't have sensory hypersensitivity apart from being startled by the occasional loud and unexpected noise. I was terrified of balloons as a child because of the possibility they might pop and my cousins often bullied me with them. I also couldn't stand blankets touching the lower part of my legs and I could only wear oversized granny underwear, but I outgrew these hypersensitivities by the time I was a teenager.
The only sensory processing problems I have as an adult are sensory hyposensitivities. I have problems hearing /deciphering human speech (although my hearing is apparently fine) and picking up what's going on around me. I can spend half a day looking for something, only for someone to point out that it's right in front of me. This was a huge problem for me at my previous job working at the bar in a restaurant (although it was a fun job). I also have a very high pain threshold, and I barely felt the tattooing process for my 4 tattoos. Recently, I have been going for long walks in the city centre to lose weight, so I have learned to be hyper vigilant to watch out for bicycles, cars and skateboarders. It has helped my sensory hyposensitivity somewhat.
Does anyone else have mainly sensory hyposensitivity instead of sensory hypersensitivity?
 
Yes, to some extent. But it has lessened. I really disliked blankets on my feet. I hate tight hotel sheets where you feel like your are stuck. Smells can irritate me so l cover them with a sent.

Welcome to the site. :)
 
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mouseywousey said:
When I was being assessed for dyspraxia, I did a sensory processing questionnaire which was scored ( I'm not sure why my autism/Aspergers assessment didn't include this) . I scored as "much more than others" on Low Registration ( sensory hyposensitivity). I know autistic people are known to have sensory sensitivities ( bothered by/scared of loud noises, hate tags/labels/seams/certain textures etc), but as an adult I don't have sensory hypersensitivity apart from being startled by the occasional loud and unexpected noise. I was terrified of balloons as a child because of the possibility they might pop and my cousins often bullied me with them. I also couldn't stand blankets touching the lower part of my legs and I could only wear oversized granny underwear, but I outgrew these hypersensitivities by the time I was a teenager.
The only sensory processing problems I have as an adult are sensory hyposensitivities. I have problems hearing /deciphering human speech (although my hearing is apparently fine) and picking up what's going on around me. I can spend half a day looking for something, only for someone to point out that it's right in front of me. This was a huge problem for me at my previous job working at the bar in a restaurant (although it was a fun job). I also have a very high pain threshold, and I barely felt the tattooing process for my 4 tattoos. Recently, I have been going for long walks in the city centre to lose weight, so I have learned to be hyper vigilant to watch out for bicycles, cars and skateboarders. It has helped my sensory hyposensitivity somewhat.
Does anyone else have mainly sensory hyposensitivity instead of sensory hypersensitivity?
Click to expand...
Hyposensitivities. Yes.
(1). Smell
(2). Pain
 
Not really what you are asking but it might be relevant:

I am extremely sensitive to touch yet I also have a high tolerance to pain. I've had that many injuries in my life I think I just learned how to handle it. But my sensitivity is fine enough that I can distinguish between different types of pain, I didn't own a pair of shoes for about a decade and when things cut my feet I could tell without looking what sort of damage was being done and wether or not I could ignore it.
 
mouseywousey said:
Does anyone else have mainly sensory hyposensitivity instead of sensory hypersensitivity?
Click to expand...
High pain threshold? I had endometriosis. Imagine living a 'normal' life yet spending every 3 weeks out of 4 in constant pain--yet still driving, still holding down a job, not letting anyone see the pain, pain so great I'd pass out from it. Awful way to live. And since it was 'in my head', no pain medication was available to control it. I developed a way of separating myself from the pain so I could continue. Took more than 15 years before I could find someone to acknowledge what it might be and be willing to pursue exploratory surgery. The surgery lasted twice as long as scheduled and a second physician had to be brought in. He said what I could not: "my God, the pain must have been unbearable." I don't know if my tolerance to pain is because I developed a tolerance to it or if it was always there. I have few memories of being in pain as a child.

I enjoy wearing wool, enjoy the feeling of the humidity against my skin, and I like walking out in the snow barefoot, all for the sensation of it. Last year didn't find it necessary to wear a coat until it was in the single digits. (Sweater, yes.) Stepped on a sewing needle once, while stringing popcorn. Went right through the other side of my toe--didn't hurt a bit. (It did hurt pulling it out. Amazing what a little self-awareness will do.) I once pulled out a pan from a 400-degree oven with an oven mitt on one hand and, when I went to support it with the other, ...I felt nothing. (I think it was just so hot it didn't register.) Used to have a scar. Now I always wear two mitts. (I tend to dislike anything over lukewarm, so I'm not sure if this example counts as hyposensitivity or just plain absent-mindedness, yet I do have to beware of turning the shower up too hot, so, maybe?)

Normally, I like to think of myself as fairly sensitive to what's going on around me but this stuff makes me think twice.

Welcome & nice to meet you.
 
My hyposensitivity is taste - love spicy food, and find a lot of foods very bland and tasteless.
 
My left side since the stroke, wife must now walk on my right side painful if she touches left arm. sensitivity issues.
 
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