To those of you with sensory issues (I believe this is pretty common, right?) have you noticed them changing as you grow older? Have they gotten easier to handle, harder, or stayed the same? In fact, if you feel like “going there” and sharing - please feel free to even express what they feel like.
No need to share what they are, if you don’t feel like it. Share what you’d like.
Over time, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in how I manage sensory issues, though the nature of the triggers has remained the same. My sensory experiences with ADHD differ from what might be typically reported in autism. For me, sensory overload is not constant; it’s specifically triggered by stress and diminishes when the stress is relieved. This transient nature of my sensory responses has stayed consistent through the years.
Interestingly, I’ve found that engaging in multisensory activities or even intentional sensory overload can actually be calming. For example, focusing on multiple sensory inputs—such as watching TV while listening to music—provides a sense of control and helps to regulate sensory responses rather than overwhelm them. This approach creates a structured sensory experience that can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.
The sensation of being overwhelmed usually doesn’t stem from direct sensory inputs like noise or lights. Instead, it’s triggered by intense environmental or emotional situations. When overwhelmed, I feel a surge of mental clutter and physical tension, as if every nerve in my body is being pulled tight. While I’ve become better at recognizing when to withdraw and give myself space to recharge, sometimes I fail to manage effectively.
In moments where I can’t withdraw, it can lead to outbursts or complete shutdown. The outbursts are intensely cathartic, serving as a release valve for built-up pressure. They happen because, despite my best efforts, the sensory and emotional overload reaches a tipping point where it becomes too much to contain. It’s a constant reminder of the challenges I face with ADHD, where the boundary between being in control and losing grip can be very thin. As I continue to learn and adapt, my methods for managing these situations improve, helping me reduce the frequency and intensity of these outbursts.
I’m curious about potential overlaps with autism, as exploring these similarities might further enhance my understanding of how to navigate my own path with greater clarity.
Everything my gal does is with a television on and it makes me literally sick to hear that chatter all day. She listens to it most of the time with headphones on (we got the cushiest of the cush and she actually likes it so win/win). I knew someone else who was ADHD and said they can’t work without having a movie they’ve seen on in the background. I always think it’s crazy because I can’t even work with distracting music in the background, or a second monitor and my ass is ADHD too. It’s too distracting, it’s as if a siren is calling me from a liminal space and my brain heads to the clouds. Even with medication. I much prefer a single but sizeable (enough for me) monitor and everything super chill (I work on the floor most times).
I have always found ADHD stuff that pushes me over the edge are things that are like “flashy” and intended to draw attention. I was thinking why in that sense things might have gotten worse and I figured it’s because our entire world is one giant slot-machine. So yeah, in that sense, it’s absolutely awful. On the autist front the sensory stuff does distract but it “feels” way worse to me. As in, it prompts pain I guess? Is the best way to describe it. Ickies. It prompts ickies. Both are overwhelming af though. Idk how the fk I used to do clubs n shit, cause I went to a show recently and it blasted me into another universe. I still like music and what not, I just don’t think I’ve got it on that level anymore.
My sib, who also has fun genetics goes ham-sandwich when they cross that threshold. I’ve snapped a time and two, but I think I am more of a “slip-out the backdoor and leave” kinda person. But either way, it’s no fun and I am glad you’re trying your damndest to find your happy middle.
p.s. - I know with stims autistic ones are for the feels and adhd are for the stimulation and maybe the sensory issues line up like that too? I also know stuff can show up differently between the genders, but I don’t know entirely in what way because I haven’t read too much into it and it’s all pretty new. Either way, good luck on your travels fellow fighter =)~
I can definitely relate! I have the Predominantly Inattentive type of ADHD and sometimes wonder if there’s some overlap with autism too. I’ve only been paying attention to how I feel for a few months, so it’s interesting to see how differently ADHD affects everyone. I honestly had no idea about the differences in stims between ADHD and autism. The sensory issues and gender differences are new to me too, so I’m learning as I go. Here’s to both of us finding our way, fellow traveler in this fight =)~
Feel thisss! Yess! There’s a huge overlap between the two by the by! AuDHD. I think they said 1/5 ADHD individuals are also Autistic. I’m just lucky I found someone who understands me, and vice versa. Yeah on the gender stuff a lot of women were thought to not be able to be autistic or ADHD. I am not sure when that changed but I really don’t think it’s been that long. But I think I read something like it teaches women to cope in different ways that basically allow them to “super mask” but ultiamtely masking is unhealthy. So, eh! I have a mixture of both. I forgot what it’s called (maybe just mixed). But I always thought mind was explicitly inattentive, but later found out I was diagnosed with both.
Oh, one more thing before I go. I heard that gender and queerness can be (but not always) aligned with autism. I can’t give you the scoop on that one cause I am about to hit the hay. But I think it comes down to being less adherent to gender roles/norms. Fist-bump =)~!
Yeah, it seems like women aren’t really being taken seriously by their doctors. I might also “super mask,” not sure. It’s awesome that you found someone who understands you. I know how difficult it is to go through life being misunderstood.
I actually don’t know what queerness means, but I’ll definitely look into it. I’ve never really cared for roles or norms and always stay true to myself. Maybe that means I’m in the same boat?
Have a good one! Fist-bump =)~
Oh yeah for sure. I am not saying if you’re autistic you’re definitively queer but it’s just like I believe there’s a high rate of LGBTQA+ members that are neurodivergent like off the cusp. Idk what your life is, but I just wanted to say I think it’s kinda funny. But in general neurodivergent people don’t understand the kinda superficial bull that a lot of society enforce. So eh! It’s an uphill battle, but if you can figure out how to make it work you can be a huge innovator. Because you see and think differently, and can problem solve in ways that supesede normality. Kinda like how Betty Edwards tells you - you can flip a canvas upside down and learn how to draw that way and it shifts your perspective and changes the way you understand the very act. We’re kinda like the automatic “flipping” of the canvas so to speak, because we understand the world in a very different way than the majority. Which if we can find a way to ground ourselves in the world, can be a very sought-after skill. But also know, there’s bigots out the ass. I found a lot of places like it when you have a “hint of something interesting” but not when you come at them like a bird of paradise. Hahaha! Sounds like you’ve overcome a lot of the chaotic bits by forcing yourself through the system. But masking is fkin hard and it fucks us up good - take care of yourself! Big hugs, my brother! We got this =P!