Understanding Sensory Overload

Sensory overload occurs when input from your senses is more than you can handle and leaves you unable to process and move on. For me, this typically comes in the form of too many lights, sounds or smells. Usually, places with large amounts of people are the worst. When I’m stressed or uncomfortable this becomes especially more problematic. Triggers vary from person to person though and from situation to situation; what people don’t realise is that sensory overload can actually happen to anyone and isn’t just specific to conditions like autism, I hope that. this post plays some part in broadening that understanding.

An Anecdote

It is no secret, that I’m a bit of a geek. Therefore it shouldn’t be surprising really that I have built (and attempted to build) my own PC’s before. The first computer I ever built didn’t survive very long.

It had all the right parts, put together in exactly the right way (or so I thought). Except, there was a slight issue; some significant things I failed to consider. Those being power management and proper use of cooling to reduce overheating. Because, I failed in this aspect of setup; thirty minutes into the first videogame I loaded, the screen became glitchy with “artefacts”. After, a burning smell emanated from the tower and then POP!

In the end, the computer’s processor, graphics card, sound card, some memory and the power supply all ended up damaged (and unusable).

What I failed to do, was manage the power spread so that all components (especially the cooling) got the power they needed to operate and as a result; the parts got overloaded.

Why Does Sensory Overload Occur?

Much like that computer I built, with its limited amount of power but with important parts that need it; our attention and focus is finite and needs to be stable and spread out.

When we have too much sensory stimuli competing for our focus and attention, we become unable to process. Instead, we overload and overheat because everything is fighting for that resource and the brain can’t prioritise the sensory information it is presented with.

In this case, the POP is presented as an anxiety or panic attack. Although, the symptoms vary from person to person.

Some Symptoms Associated with Sensory Overload

So, we know that the overload comes from an influx of sensory information that the brain can’t organise and manage. This leads to us being unable to function as we don’t have what we need to function ordinarily.

For me, the most common symptom of sensory overload is to become overwhelmed, stressful, fearful and anxious. If things continue then I get restless and uncomfortable, perhaps even a little short and unable to focus. I also become more sensitive to other sensory input.

The people who suffer from them these symptoms are induvial, each diverse and surprising; whilst they may share symptoms, triggers and context greatly varies.

Final Thoughts

We can all struggle with sensory overload on occasion, but some conditions are more prone to it than others; autism, ADHD and mental health issues are but a few. It can honestly be overwhelming and scary.

However, it is important to recognise the signs in yourself and in others. Whilst there are many coping mechanisms, the best thing to do when overwhelmed (if it is an option) is to remove yourself (or the sufferer) from the situation altogether until you (or they) can process and function again. It often helps to focus on an activity that relaxes and calms you too.