Overstimulation
Overstimulation (or sensory overload) is a little known symptom that is common within people who deal with clinical anxiety that you won’t find in the DSM. So what is this symptom and what can you do about it?
Overstimulation, simply put, happens when your nervous system becomes so overloaded that you become more sensitive than usual to sensory inputs, most notably visual and/or auditory cues. This typically happens during times of high anxiety or stress.
For example, have you ever noticed yourself becoming angry with chatter within your household when it typically doesn’t bother you? Or becoming shaky when driving through excess traffic when you are usually not nervous on the same road? Or even finding it hard to relax when there is a lot of clutter around you? If any of these situations sound familiar, you likely deal with some form of sensory overload in response to anxiety.
So what can you do about this particular symptom? First and foremost, you can use mindfulness techniques to assist with noticing when you are feeling overstimulated by sensory input. Try to notice what physical sensation or thought patterns come up for you when you are feeling overloaded. This will help you to reduce emotional reactions that may occur when you are feeling overwhelmed by sensory input. Secondly, when you notice that you are becoming overstimulated, take some time to soothe yourself in whatever manner makes sense for you, be it deep breathing, journaling, reading, or some other form of self care. Lastly, if you can, remove the input that is contributing to the feeling of sensory overload. Clean up the clutter in your house or ask your family for 30 minutes of space if you need to retreat from the household chatter.
Overstimulation is a common symptom of anxiety that is little discussed in psychological literature, but is very impactful to those who suffer from clinical anxiety. If you find yourself noticing heightened reactions to sensory inputs when under stress, you likely have some form of anxiety. As always, seek professional aid if you find it difficult to manage stress or worry in your daily life.
