Sensory overload - not what it seems?

[Full Steam]

I've nly just realised that I suffer from sensory overload,where my brain starts shouting down from visual and audio inputs.

The odd thing is that it does not happen in natural situations.

Why would that be?

I can go to the rainforest which is loud and visually chaotic, but I find it energising.

I go to the shopping mall and it wipes me out in no time.


Interesting that it's only man made places.

 

[Suzanne]

I cannot cope with dogs barking; makes it worse because my husband insists on having two little dogs and they have dreadful barks. I know it is their way of talking, but it actually hurts my brain and even though I am social phobic and hate bringing attention to myself, I cannot help but hold my hands to my ears, to drown out and I wince too.

However, I love my music at top volume; I hate silence.

I have come to learn that it is WHAT the sound is. I jump at sudden sounds and cringe too.

 

[Full Steam]

Yeah, I hate barking too. I've moved house before because of too much barking.

I now listen for dogs before move into a house.

I still see that as man made though, as the dogs wouldn't bark if they were free.

 

[ksheehan88]

Lots of chatter, shouting, crying or clanging is the worst for me. It actually feels like my brain is fizzing and melting.

 

[xudo]

I cannot cope with dogs barking; makes it worse because my husband insists on having two little dogs and they have dreadful barks. I know it is their way of talking, but it actually hurts my brain and even though I am social phobic and hate bringing attention to myself, I cannot help but hold my hands to my ears, to drown out and I wince too.

I have no problem with dogs barking if I'm at my friends house. I've always gone to hers a lot ever since we were in high school and they've always had dogs. I really like animals so maybe that helps. Having said that, my awful neighbours (whole other story there) have a dog and it barks a lot when people knock their front door (which is very often) and that does my head in.

However, I love my music at top volume; I hate silence.

I have come to learn that it is WHAT the sound is. I jump at sudden sounds and cringe too.

I'm totally with you on hating silence. I can get completely overwhelmed in a shopping centre with all the noise but I can't even go to sleep at night without music or something on in the background.

I do jump at certain sudden sounds, like something falling over and making a loud noise. I absolutely love to watch fireworks, but I can't cope with the noise and I've always been terrified of thunder and lightning.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Maybe it has something to do with the pitch and variety of the noises?

 

[LittleLemon]

Same here. I can go into the forest and not mind all the noises, but cannot handle lots of chatter from people.

I'm with lots of people on the barking, though. I get irrationally angry when my dog barks. I'm appreciative that he protects the house, but at the same time, it's jarring and hurts my brain. I had a neighbor with the yappiest beagle on earth. It got so bad that I remember screaming at it and when it wouldn't stop, I'd shut all the windows and cry underneath a whole bunch of pillows. The crying was from frustration but also because if I didn't cry, I could still hear that awful thing barking through the pillows. Thank goodness we moved.

 

[WereBear]

I've nly just realised that I suffer from sensory overload,where my brain starts shouting down from visual and audio inputs.

The odd thing is that it does not happen in natural situations.

Why would that be?

I can go to the rainforest which is loud and visually chaotic, but I find it energising.

I go to the shopping mall and it wipes me out in no time.


Interesting that it's only man made places.

I have discovered the same thing: when I get overloaded at work, I can step outside and feel better almost instantly.

I attribute it to the lack of people...

 

[OkRad]

I've nly just realised that I suffer from sensory overload,where my brain starts shouting down from visual and audio inputs.

The odd thing is that it does not happen in natural situations.

Why would that be?

I can go to the rainforest which is loud and visually chaotic, but I find it energising.

I go to the shopping mall and it wipes me out in no time.


Interesting that it's only man made places.

For me it is any noise. If the wind gets too loud, in go the earplugs. I am 100% sure this world was not the place I was supposed to be.

 

[Full Steam]

I don t know if wind gets me or not.

I've got three kids under six and the noise is horrendous.

I'd consider a fourth but I can't have any more screaming in my life.

 

[OkRad]

I don t know if wind gets me or not.

I've got three kids under six and the noise is horrendous.

I'd consider a fourth but I can't have any more screaming in my life.

Awwww! That must be fun!! Can you wear earplugs around them? At least till they are 21?

 

[Full Steam]

I'm buying some. I wear noise cancelling head phones and loud music when the baby cries.

 

[Adder1234]

I have absolutely no problem with any loud noises, as long as they're continuous. However, I often freak out whenever I hear any sudden or unexpected noises. For instance, I once fell asleep on a school bus full of screaming kids, but I woke up when my friend opened a can of softdrink next to me, because the pop was so different from the other sounds on the bus.