Holiday Sensory Overload: How do you manage?

In my case, having CSS, I am in a position of trying to overcome or increase my tolerance by using graded exposure, or realizing my plateaus and adapting to them. For example, light. When in the florescent lightbulb lit classroom at Mayo rehab, I was taught to introduce bright lights for 5 minutes one day, 10 minutes the next, 15 minutes the next, before putting on my baseball hat for eye protection. This did help and began to de-sensitize my over sensitized sensors. In addition, I removed medications that were not medically necessary which also allowed for my sensors to calm down.

I am pleased to say that graded exposure helped me in some cases to a degree with light, sound, temperature, to reduce sensitivity. I'm very grateful for that. CSS will always remain and adapting to environments for the best quality of life remains a goal. I do have deal breakers that I will not put myself in such as concerts, fireworks, laser lights, movie theaters. If an event or party occurs I do my best to join, as to not not isolate myself, but with a time limit set for my tolerance. I communicate honestly with my family and friends so they understand and respect my needs, and always try my best to problem solve and find solutions. Sometimes it just is what it is though and its ok to state your deal breakers if its for your best comfort.

For me, discomfort may occur from exposure or overexposure because my sensors respond to stimuli at a mush higher level. I may feel pressure, pain, tightening, aching, stabbing. Calming things down by removing myself, setting time limits, using breathing exercises, meditation, and visualization is the best way for me to manage. In discussing pain, its also important to understand that each time you talk about pain, think about pain or respond to pain negatively, you access your pain pathways giving pain more life. Don't access the network, so to speak. It's not always easy but it does work.

I hope everyone had a nice holiday season! In what way were you able to find small pieces of sensory comfort and joy?

@rwinney @windyshores @yellowdoggirl @bnancy @budo7 @jansendscards @gingerw @louisezielinski, can you describe what the sensory overload feels like?

Also, what signs would you like others to notice when you're starting to feel overwhelmed? How might they help?

@colleenyoung , Awareness is the first step in managing it. Next is naming, where I paused. I get hot, feel pressure like my whole body is being squashed, can't concentrate, can't "do anything" productive, feel like a trapped animal, and just need to escape.
It seems that the only people who can tell or help are those who know me well and/or those who share the same reaction/response.
The pandemic has helped a little by reducing crowded events, avoidance being my main control.
I have not yet been able to substantially improve my response to overload. Recognizing it while in process is as far as I have come.

@rwinney Funny, I never considered what the cause was, much less a diagnosis. Always thought it's just how I am. A therapist once did tell me that I match the conditions of being a Highly Sensitive Person. That was no surprise, seemed obvious. Is that a diagnosis?

@yellowdoggirl Well, I'm with you. For years I referred to myself as a delicate flower regarding my hypersensitivity to multiple situations. It wasn't until 2020 that I stumbled upon central sensitization syndrome (CSS) due to such chronic pain and sensory issues. It was nice to finally understand the medical science behind my diagnosis.

Do you have other chronic symptoms? Are you familiar with CSS?

@yellowdoggirl Well, I'm with you. For years I referred to myself as a delicate flower regarding my hypersensitivity to multiple situations. It wasn't until 2020 that I stumbled upon central sensitization syndrome (CSS) due to such chronic pain and sensory issues. It was nice to finally understand the medical science behind my diagnosis.

Do you have other chronic symptoms? Are you familiar with CSS?

@rwinney , I will have to read up on CSS before I go through with putting my head in the sand. I didn't mean to blow off your idea, maybe too much "holiday"!
I will try to find out more about it! And thank you!

@yellowdoggirl You're welcome. No worries at all, I totally get it. Here, let me help you out with a video from Mayo Clinic's Dr. Sletten who explains CSS clearly. It's amazing to watch and learn because you will generally not find doctors sitting with patients discussing CSS. Reason being is because doctors stay in their specialist lanes and may not have time, care, concern or knowledge about this chronic pain syndrome let alone how to treat it for a lifetime.

Here you go...

@rwinney how can I send you a private message? I have to tell you something but don't want to put the information on the public page.