In the early 1980s, the average American took in around 10 gigabytes of information each day. By 2017, that number had increased a staggering 761% to 74 gigabytes of daily information, and the total has gone up at least five percent each year since then.
That statistic is one of many that illustrate the problem of overstimulation. Human brains are only built to handle so much sensory information. Many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions are more prone to overstimulation than neurotypical individuals.
Together, these pieces of information mean that combating overstimulation is more important than ever. In this blog, we’ll cover how to help with overstimulation and ways to minimize the chances of it happening in the first place.
How Do You Know You’re Overstimulated?
Everyone experiences overstimulation, or sensory overload, uniquely; your particular symptoms might be a little different than those of someone else with the same condition or IDD (intellectual or developmental disability).
A few common symptoms include:
- Feeling tense or stressed
- Wanting to leave your environment
- Irritability
- Inability to concentrate
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Sweating
- A tight feeling in your chest
- Nausea
- Insomnia
These symptoms happen when your brain is telling your body that it’s receiving too much stimuli. It could be too many loud noises, overly bright lights, mega-uncomfortable clothing, or even extra-spicy food. Overstimulation symptoms also mirror symptoms of panic attacks.
Conditions associated with overstimulation and sensory processing disorders include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactive syndrome), generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
How to Tell if Your Child is Overstimulated
Your child with ADHD or ASD may not have mastered coping mechanisms or communication to let you know that they’re overstimulated. If that’s the case, you should be on the lookout for the following signs:
- Tantrums or meltdowns, especially after being exposed to certain stimuli
- Covering their ears
- Fidgeting with their clothing
- Withdrawing or ceasing to speak
- Refusing to enter a room or do certain tasks
- Waving their arms or balling their hands into fists
A good pediatrician is your best resource if you’re not quite sure if your child is experiencing frequent overstimulation.
A Pre-Overstimulation Checklist: How to Avoid Overstimulation
When it comes to overstimulation, an ounce of prevention is often worth a pound of cure. To minimize the chances of ending up in a situation with too much sensory information, we recommend the following:
- Getting enough sleep (7–9 hours for adults, more for children).
- Eating nutritious foods.
- Staying active as much as feasible, or at least 30 minutes per day.
- Identify your overstimulation triggers and try to avoid them.
- Put sensory breaks in your daily routine.
- Have noise-canceling headphones within reach as often as possible.
- Communicate your boundaries with friends and loved ones.
- Limit screen time—especially on your smartphone.
Check out another of NeuroNav’s blog posts to learn how to stop overstimulation in the moment. The most helpful piece of advice, though, is to remove exposure to the offending sensory stimuli.
NeuroNav Can Help You Build a Less-Stressful Life
Dealing with constant overstimulation may be just one of many challenges you must overcome in your day-to-day life. You might also be struggling to get essential services and supports for achieving your hopes and dreams.
Californians who are eligible for Regional Center services are now also eligible for the state’s Self-Determination Program, or SDP. The SDP allows for a lot more flexibility in choosing state-funded services and the vendors who supply those services. It puts the participant’s needs and goals first, providing crucial empowerment and agency.
If you think you might be eligible or want to know more about how you can benefit from the SDP, NeuroNav is here to help. We have a team of independent facilitators ready to provide you or a loved one with tailored, responsive advocacy.
Starting with NeuroNav is easy—just sign up for your free consultation at your convenience. We look forward to talking with you!
