Each one of us has some issues with sensory. You know what that’s like, you have that tag in the back of your shirt that itches and drives you crazy? That’s a sensory issue. Another example would be your socks, you know how the side edges move, annoying right? That too is a sensory issue.
So, what happens when all those sensory issues become such a problem that we feel as if we’re going crazy?
What is sensory processing?
The frontiers in psychology have determined the importance of sensory processing and how it characterizes an individual’s mental health (Harrison, Kats, Williams, and Aziz, 2019).
Sensory is more about how the body responds to different tactile, sounds, and tastes.
Sensory sends little signals to the brain, the brain then interprets those signals and responds to the information received. Each person responds differently to those receptors. We all have a different threshold when it comes to our senses. Remember, some people have no issues with the feel or sound of chalk however others can now hear that in their head as they read this sentence.
What causes sensory issues?
Sensory can be related to neurological issues such as autism, anxiety, depression, and even compulsive disorders such as OCD. As a mental health therapist, I have recently discovered how many people are burdened with issues pertaining to sensory that cause them anxiety and depression. The article, The Importance of Sensory Processing in Mental Health, reflects how the body’s symptoms can sometimes be hypervigilant or desensitized by different anxiety disorders like panic attacks.
how sensory overload affects the individual
Certain sensory issues such as sounds and smells can cause an individual to be very irritable. For example, someone who is sensitive to sounds goes into a movie theater. The first thing I think of when we talk about sensory issues is a movie theater. Feeling overwhelmed and maybe panicked once the individual walks inside. All the lights and sounds of the big screen. Once we are inside the movie theatre, then we are hit with the smell that surrounds us.
How many times have you walked into the movie theater, and you get a big whiff of buttered popcorn? For many people this is a wonderful smell but for so many it’s a sensory issue. It can cause headaches, a feeling of wanting to gag, and some people experience anxiety from certain smells such as buttered popcorn.
The next step is entering the main theatre, the lights and sounds of the theatre. Walk up those stairs to the top, that might help, to find that it feels so big and overwhelming. Sometimes, those that have anxiety, must cover their ears to watch! The touch of covering their ears can cause additional stress on some individuals.
It’s important to remember that each person has some type of sensory issue. It’s just that some people experience those senses more than others. They can make them feel very overwhelmed and feel as if they don’t fit in. Sometimes people are diagnosed with depression, isolation, anxiety, and other mental illnesses due to sensory issues. Make sure to speak to your therapist today if you experience any type of sensory issues.
Harrison LA, Kats A, Williams ME, Aziz-Zadeh L. The Importance of Sensory Processing in Mental Health: A Proposed Addition to the Research Domain Criteria
Meet The Author
LEE ANN WEILER
MAC, LPC, CCTP, EAT (Q)
Meet The Author
Lee Ann is a Clinical Therapist at Sea Glass Mental Health. She works with teens, adults, and couples. Lee Ann specializes in PTSD, trauma, and women’s issues.
