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MilkJoey

Updated 1y ago

Dealing with Sensory Overload

is there anything you guys do when you're fully overstimulated? like every noise, feeling, smell, body symptom, etc becomes so unbearable

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AI-generated answer based on the text from previous posts and comments

Some people find relief by going into a quiet room, turning off the lights, and laying down in silence for about 30 minutes. Others use weighted blankets or create a quiet, homemade cave with a thick ...See More

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The4thDr

1y

That's a great question and I wish to know this answer too. Most of the time all I can do is remove myself from the situation, if possible, and crawl into my bed under the covers. It's one of the feelings that I have the most you've with
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MilkJoey

1y

the worst part is i can't escape it. i can for sure try to make it better but i end up pretty exhausted by the time it's over
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StardewKiwi

1y

I put on noise canceling headphones, grab a comfort blanket, and lay in bed on my back and do breathing exercises
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MilkJoey

1y

i think i'm going to set aside money for some noise cancelling headphones. thank you for telling me your experience!! will be trying that out c:
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Jelly_JellyFish

1y

I usually try to distract myself if it’s possible. I got this device called an Orba and it’s a mini midi controller with built in sounds. I usually use it as a fidget toy whenever I’m overstimulated in public to prevent panic attacks
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MilkJoey

1y

glad you found something that helps you!! thank you for telling me about a new product c:
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verasama

1y

When I'm feeling over stimulated, I put in noise canceling earbuds and either listen to a book or a soundscape or something that has a semi-study cadence etc to it. If I can, I go in my room and turn the light off and lay on my back with my eyes closed, and just try to lose myself in the controlled sound of whatever it is that I picked to listen to. If I can't go to my room, then I put in the noise canceling earbuds and listen to whatever it is where I'm at with my eyes closed. They have some Bluetooth noise canceling earbuds that are fairly good and fairly affordable. I've got a couple pair from TOZO, anything that has NC in the name is noise canceling, And they have some more expensive ones, but the pair that I have was only about $30. I also try to talk to one of my friends on messenger, because usually doing that can help me get out of that over stimulated mode, and into a calmer frame of mind.
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MilkJoey

1y

this is super helpful, thank you c: sometimes i forget i can talk to someone LOL
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AnimalBoy

1y

Mostly just self care stuff, remove as much stimulation as possible and do something relaxing to recuperate. Sometimes finding just the right stim helps, that's usually rocking and playing with slime/thinking putty with whichever song I feel is most tolerable on repeat for me.
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MilkJoey

1y

i feel you on the "tolerable" song thing LMAOO but yeah, thank you for the advice!!
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Atheris

1y

A hot bath can act as a sensory deprivation sort of. You just let yourself float. I like dimmer lights or candles. If you can, submerge your head just enough so your ears are underwater, that buffers sound too.
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MilkJoey

1y

this sounds so nice. i'll do that sometime as well. thank you!!
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ChiliBean

1y

I actually do the opposite then what others do; I go for a semi-run/walk, which allows my body to get all the adrenaline out from the over-stimulation, and it helps calm me down. It'll make a major difference on where you live, though if you can do that.
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MilkJoey

1y

this sounde super helpful, i get anxious waking outside alone but i'll try to get someone to accompany me for a walk. thank you!!
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hoofedcracker

1y

I hope this makes you smile - What do I do? Get incredibly anxious 😰
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MilkJoey

1y

it did make me smile because me too LMAOO
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kmpmcnamara

1y

Get noise cancelling headphones. A good pair. Seriously.
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MilkJoey

1y

i hope to at some point!! thank you
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whimsical_cat

1y

I take a nap if i can, if i can't I just kinda have to deal with it
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MilkJoey

1y

yeah it sucks having to resort to dealing with it but it is what it is
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MyaMya

1y

I just have to get away from the noise. I feel like I can't think and it's frustrating.
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MilkJoey

1y

it's so annoying because even the clock ticking in a silent room kills me. but having no noise is scary too, the hum is so irritating. just gotta sit through it sometimes
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Ash.G

1y

To be honest, in my case it depends on how overstimulated I feel.
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MilkJoey

1y

i hope you feel less overstimulated overtime and learn more about your limits as well c:
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andy2.0

1y

Loop !!! Ear plugs help with the noise overstimulation like screaming kids or a barking dog. But I can still hold a regular conversation it just make it's more quiet
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MilkJoey

1y

talking quietly would be nice. loud talking is upsetting, will try to be mindful of my volume and other's. thank you!!
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sassy_hacker

1y

I leave the place I am in, or plug in some white noise, you could also close your eyes and block out the world
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MilkJoey

1y

i haven't tried white noise, so will try that sometime. thank you!!
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katitomato

1y

For me I have to put myself in a soothing situation to calm down. Lights dim or off, wrapped in a blanket or sitting in a warm bath or hot tub, enjoying a show/podcast/playlist I like (since I can’t stand silence cause it makes me think too much). If I’m stuck in the situation, I just try my best to focus on what I’m doing so that I’m not thinking about how uncomfortable I feel, or if I’m not doing something or listening to someone I’ll find one thing around me that I can focus on.
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MilkJoey

1y

oops meant to reply to you. just read the hyperfocusing comment LOL
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Yumeno

1y

I put on headphones and listen to brown noise to drown out sounds around me. A weighted blanket can help but if it's too warm it adds to my sensory overload. Turn off the lights or cover your eyes to block them out.
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MilkJoey

1y

i tried brown noise and it didn't really do it for me, need to focus on temperatures more often and move to where it's cooler because warmer temps are upsetting to me. thank you!! should try closing my eyes more often, it's good to just relax on all i'm seeing
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MilkJoey

1y

silence is so upsetting sometimes, then i get freaked out by every little noise. redirecting attention would be good, just need to learn how to do it a little better or learn to help myself as well. hyperfocusing good!! thank you c:
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Di0

1y

I try to cancel out as many senses as possible, noise canceling headphones or play music so it's controlled and allows stimming and distractions. I also close my eyes or put my sunglasses on to dim lights. Wearing a mask can also help with scents, possibly. Hope this helps!
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MilkJoey

1y

masks are a good choice, thank you for the tips!
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ae_belli

1y

This post is dated, but just seeing it! For me, it depends if I’m alone or not. If I’m alone I remove all noticeable sensory things in my environment and on my person. Either put on non-bothering clothes (for me long shirt) and take everything else off or if clothes are too much, I just lay in my bed naked covered in a soft blanket on cool temp sheets in the dark and turn on some brown noise. Other ppl mentioned brown noise which I find so much better than white noise. It is lower tones than higher. If I am in public, I use the Loop ear plugs. Someone else mentioned them and they are fabulous. There are 3 different lowered decibel levels. Some just block out background noise and others block most all sound. I’ve been in class and the sound of the person next to me breathing and the clock ticking make me want to stick an ice pick into my ear drums repeatedly. I wear the Engage ones so I can’t hear those but can still focus on the speaker. Or for tests and more quiet I used the Quiet ones which are also great. They both allow you to stay in your current environment if you need to and also not go crazy. So that was an extremely long answer. But in short- complete sensory deprivation and/or one of the 3 decibel lowering Loop earplugs work for me. I get some intense misophonia when over-stimulated. Both are effective depending on the situation. They They definitely keep me sane!
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MilkJoey

1y

i enjoy long answers, you're good! but thank you so much, will try to identify everything that upsets me so i can try and fix it
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desi0730

1y

I try to do something that I can focus on. I recently started doing different diamond art things and it helps me to basically hyper focus and I'm able to ignore everything else
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MilkJoey

1y

diamond art is fun! thank you for this
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MrPig

1y

Take myself away so not to end someones existence
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MilkJoey

1y

do you mean isolate? maybe a quick break would be good
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MilkJoey

1y

thank you!
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aminADHD

1y

Smoke a joint
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MilkJoey

1y

LMAOO don't like smoking, but thank you regardless. maybe an edible at some point would help
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MrsFox4322

1y

I vape some thc/CBD or take a Xanax honestly, it’s all that’ll stop it. I find that I’d when it’s the best time to take something because it’s a 100% sign in about to have a major panic attack.
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MilkJoey

1y

ooh okay, i hope you find other ways to help you as well! thank you for the recommendation

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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