Sensory overload??

[Rob851]

Hi I suffer from major depression and anxiety. When I’m at the bottom strange things happen. For example I live in a quiet suburb and on land so everything is calm an quiet or slow paced. Today I was driven to an appointment about 45 mins away in a built up city. When leaving it’s bearable but once you get further into the city everything sort of explodes! Like there is so much stimuli going on with cars and merging lanes, blinkers, traffic lights, signs, anxiety from the other cars if they are going to run into you or stop short. And I just couldn’t take it, couldn’t even speak to the person driving felt like I was about to shut down with all the craziness, so confused can’t concentrate on 1 thing.

Has this happend to you? Am I the only 1?

[Soberlicious96]

Dear Rob851,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and well done for reaching out.

You asked if sensory overload has ever happened to someone else? And my answer is a definite yes! I went to India in 2013 and my goodness was it overwhelming for me. All the sights and smells and colours and people and traffic and lights ......... oh my gosh, I jsut could not cope. One day I had, what I call a "Full-blown meltdown" and was taken back to my motel room by my two friends and couldn't get out of bed for about 16 to 18 hours. I was so exhausted and overwhelmed with trying to cope with it all.

I too live inland, in a regional area, where it's relatively quiet and slow, and I occasionally visit the city, but I can only ever stand it for two or three days and after that I begin to feel overwhelmed again with all the lights and sights and sounds. It's almost as though I am just inside the autism spectrum some days.

I have never been diagnosed with autism, but I most certainly have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Perhaps over-stimulation is a 'side-effect' of sorts, of depression and anxiety? I don't know. I should also tell you that I am by no means a professional of any kind. Just a fellow human being who identified with what you described.

Anyway, perhaps you could talk to your doctor, and get a referral to see a professional for some further exploration into what is going on for you, yeah? Do you think it might help to talk to someone about what you have been experiencing? I know it helps me to talk about things sometimes. Other times I just need a bit of 'time out' from people and public places. There's a lot to be said for meditation and relaxation.

I hope that helps a little anyway, to know you're not the only one with sensory overload. Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

[Rob851]

Yes thanks for your reply it sure did help. It’s kind of scary not knowing if it happens to other people and thinking it’s just you. Your totally right about the time out, once I get home and isolate myself in a quiet room with no sounds or distractions it’s a big relief.

thank you again

[Guest5643]

Hi Rob851

Also a definate yes. I use the term sensory overload to myself alot. I feel what you feel when walking in a shopping centre also just walking past cafes ect with all that echo noise does my head in, its too many different noises at once. I was diagnosed as mildy autistic as a child so i dont know if that has anything to do with it. I dont know if i have it now if its something that goes away. I find when this happens it helps to hum and the humming with the hummimg vibration seems to sound louder than the surrounding noises. Its worth giving that a try and see if it helps.

Cheers lynne

[Rob851]

Thanks for reply il give it a try. Although mines more visual. But it can’t hurt giving it a go

[White_Rose]

Hello Rob

Good to meet you and welcome to the forum. You name for your experience is very good and probably encapsulates what I feel. I usually say I am having a panic attack. The usual symptoms, increased heart rate, shallow breathing, feeling of dread, pain the chest. Do you think this is the same as your experience?

I know it tends to happen when I go somewhere new and and find the environment overwhelming for whatever reason, though it's not always loud noise and action. It's interesting to see a different perspective on what seems to be a similar situation. The common factor is the feeling of being overwhelmed by whatever is happening. Lights, noise, action, movement are all there. Usually I try to get myself to a quiet place and breathe.

Mary

[sparrowhawk]

I would say I also experience sensory overload, but I don't know how much of that is related to the fact I'm an introvert. Bright/flashing lights, loud noise, lots of people can really set me off. I feel very uneasy and tense. Some days I will be okay, others not. I tend to find I can't be in crowded spaces for extended periods as it exhausts me.

[Rob851]

Yes increased heart rate feeling of dread and panic attack symptoms, these things I suffer same as what you said but also other things I have worked out mine is more visual. Seems to me there is a case to this sensory overload and we may just suffer different symptoms from it as I’m sure by now you understand this stupid thing called depression affects us all different. But like I said it’s not nice to say but it’s good to know other people have the same problem as I find it more scary when you think your the only one!