Thank you so much for making this video. I’m 23 years old and just found out yesterday that I have SPD. I always thought the things I struggle with were just part of my ADHD (which I didn’t even know I had until I was diagnosed last November!), but I didn’t realize that my ADHD, depression, and OCD are all connected to SPD. Towards the end of the video, when you talked about how it’s okay to feel sad about the moments we were supposed to enjoy, I started tearing up. I’ve felt misunderstood my whole life, especially as a kid. I always thought I was just stupid and weird, and that I had to watch what everyone else was doing so I could fit in and avoid being made fun of. Thank you again.
As a child I couldn’t play with other kids for various reasons but one thing I remember: I told myself, maybe I could try to play with them if they didn’t make such a terrible noise and run everywhere around like a swarm of bees. That was painful, overwhelming, I often felt startled. And I still feel this way when walking on the street and some car honks or bus or tram passing or someone turns loud music in their car. My colleague at work likes to Honl on me with the forklift and laughs when seeing me startled jumping up
You pretty much described me. I just turned 35, and yah, life hasn’t been easy. I’ve had so much trouble living a normal life, I actually couldn’t, ever. I haven’t had a job in 2 years, and thank god for my husband now, he takes care of me and understands. I recently clued into this reality when I’m out in public and I can’t stand loud cars or motorbikes going by. It makes me scared, and very angry. I hate loud noises. I get exhausted very easily, I can’t even handle very loud music anymore. I feel like a lot of it may be due to abuse in early childhood, that has an effect on how your brain develops, due to higher levels of cortisol produced when children are under constant stress.
I didn’t know what sensory processing disorder was until my mid thirties. For years I would get jokingly called a ‘child-hater’ at work because I couldn’t understand why everyone thought it was normal to have meetings in a room within earshot of a daycare where the kids were play screaming. I was scared to ask for help with anything on the computer because people would get in my personal space to lean over me and point at the screen. I’d hear people planning to go out to bars and arcades after work and think ‘I hope they don’t invite me to that noisy, crowded place.’ Then, I’d feel sad anyway when they actually didn’t invite me. Even now, I’m sitting here typing this in my room with noise blocking panels over my windows AND heavy duty hearing protection headphones because the landscapers ACROSS THE STREET have been blasting high power gas leaf blowers for the past 2 and a half hours. Sigh, it’s still hard but at least I know now that I’m not just weak willed or crazy
I'm 64 and just figuring it out now. I had to retire at 60 from office work as smells were overwhelming and uncontrollable, commute harrowing...long story. Now loud sounds (freakin' muscle cars!) Unusual sounds and every bit of trash in public drives me nuts. I now startle very easily. I loved the lockdown. Hubby loves to travel, I stress out about crowds, smells, lights, tight areas. I hope you have a better outcome when you are 64.
Thank you for sharing! I don't know if you know, but there are little earplugs you can buy that help reduce some sounds, but still let some sound through. I haven't tried any of them yet -- I think 1 brand is called "Loop Earplugs". Do you know them? Has anyone tried them? 😇😇
@@domp409I’m testing some. They are developed for concerts, and the goal is to limit extra noise (like talkers). I do find I struggle to hear people when I need to, when wearing these. So I pull one out, or wear them loosely in social situations. It buffers the extra adequately, for me.
I'm going on 3 years I just turned 40 and I'm running out of my savings i developed so many mental illness during these past year's and I'm getting therapy treatment physical but no help with income Any suggestions on how to live this way and financially make it out
You explained it so perfectly. I barely figured it out at 32 with ASD. I’ve become an avoidant adult due to hypersensitivities. I barely got my drivers license a few years ago. My relationships never last long because I need my alone time to recharge and get anxiety with the constant sensory overload. And boy is it difficult to work! Living with SPD is overwhelming. Now I see I’m not alone. Thank you for expressing this. We need more resources for adults.
Well for me it's opened up what's wrong with me at 43 hypomobility ICD from birth sure I have Asperger's used to have painful hair as child CFS 26 years fybromyalgia 6 very hard mum same with severe ms
This is so helpful and validating to me. I was diagnosed at around 35 years old, after being married and having two kids. That's a long time to be "self-hating". In fact, I'm still trying to stop self-hating because I'm effecting literally everyone else in my family. Even though they know I have SPD, they still forget, or don't even think about why I'm having difficulty in certain situations. They're still trying to make things "easier" for me (sometimes), but it doesn't help bc they aren't ME. Many of my issues change daily, and not just once during the day. Multiple times during the day. Even my husband who knows I have SPD can get short or irritated with me because I'm struggling. He personalizes it and gets defensive, even when it's not his fault. I've learned to tell him during a meltdown that it's not him, it's me. That helps, but it's not always easy for me to "catch" that thought "tell him it's not him" as it flies by while other more anxious things are happening all at once. It requires a great deal of concentration to tell him I'm having trouble WHILE I'm trying to work out the fight, flight, freeze place I'm in. I still constantly mentally slap myself around because this or that is "too much for me to handle right now" or "I can't put myself in that situation or I'll freak out no matter how many anti-anxiety pills I swallow!" At the moment we HAVE to buy a new car. This is the seventh circle of hell for me. All the feels. All the smells. And it's SUMMER and it's HOT OUT, and I HATE the heat. All the TALKING from the salespeople. I just need QUIET to figure out if I can get comfortable in each and every vehicle I'm in. Often I only need about 10 seconds to figure out if a car will work for me. My husband is trying to be patient bc he knows this is hell for me, but I can't stop the thoughts that I'm ruining everything for him bc he has to put up with me trying to find "Laurie sensitive" cars. I feel so badly that the cars that could be great for us, and are great on gas mileage, won't work for me bc the geniuses that make the cars have now decided putting the touch screen monitors ON TOP of the dashboard is a fantastic idea! I literally flip out when just our little inspection sticker is too high, and now we have to try to find a car that: doesn't have the monitor on the dash, that isn't cloth, that doesn't have big blind spots, that doesn't smell weird, that doesn't have a lot of stitching on the seats, that has 10 point power seats not only on the drivers side but the passenger side as well, that has comfortable back seats jic I end up up back there, that doesn't make me feel squished, that doesn't have seats that wrap around my butt and back....need I go on? Our car was SO perfect in every way, but it cannot be brought back to life so I'm desperately trying to find a car exactly like it. My poor husband! Thankfully our kids are grown so they don't have to be subjected to my "picky-ness". The other day my husband drove home a car that had almost everything I told him not to bring home for me to try out. I tried...I REALLY tried to overcome every issue so he could get the car he wanted, but I ended up having one of the worst panic attacks I've had in three years. Yay me. After the panic attack was over, I got in my pitch black bedroom, put my heavy weighted blanket on, but since that wasn't enough weight I added a box of filled water bottles and some other heavy things on top of me, took two anti-anxiety pills and finally fell asleep. So yeah, that's just one example of my present life. I was telling a trusted friend about this, and naturally she felt badly for my husband. So she said to me, "It's his car too." GUILT GUILT GUILT! Umm YA! I know that! That's why this is SO HARD, and why the self hating starts up again. It's not her fault. I'm not mad at her. Unless you have SPD, you just don't get it. No one in my family completely understands me. They never have bc we didn't have OT for SPD way back when so I could get help as a child. I'm still "princess and the pea", particular, etc. And it's SO MUCH WORSE when I know I'm making them loose their patience. When ppl hear I have to buy a first class plane ticket they think I think I'm better than everyone else. Ummm...NO. I'd love to sit in "steerage" with my hubs, but I'd rather not have a full blown panic attack in a small area filled with people squished against eachother shooting through the sky at 30,000 feet. But, if I want to go see our daughter, I have to go first class. It's embarrassing! And it's oh so fun knowing it's just going to get worse the older I get. I'm sorry for taking up so much time here. We are just going through it right now and your videos SPOKE to me at the perfect time! Bless you! PLEASE keep making videos if you can bc you are seriously the first person that has actually addressed ADULT SPD. ♥
Thank you for taking the time to post this, had me in tears. So sorry you have to live with this. I am not sure if I have This Exact Condition yet but I do have about 75% of the symptoms and can relate… still trying to figure out what has happened to me. Your description of dealing with the self hate and feeling like a burden are so spot on. I had just been through a huge PTSD melt down a few years prior to this and had learned so much through that process that helped equip me with tools for navigating this new “hell”. First was meditation and breath work, positive self talk/treatment aka treating yourself like your own best friend. If you had a friend with this condition how would you talk to or treat them? A few books have changed my life: Loving what Is by Byron Katie, The Power of Now by Elkhart Tolee….so many more but those were complete game changers. Hang in there, smile, stop apologizing (say thank you for your patience instead), and realize that no matter how hard they try, people in your life can never truly understand what you’re going through. (But there are still a few of us out here that can❤😊)
This is THE MOST relatable and accurate video I have ever, ever seen about SPD. I feel absolutely all of this. It’s relieving to hear that I shouldn’t have to accept expectations to function the way a neurotypical does. SPD can be so incredibly debilitating, and people don’t seem to understand. I’m going to be sure to communicate this when I am going through job interviews. It’s destroyed and strained relationships and harmed my life in so many ways. School and work and daily functioning is so hard. I cannot thank you enough for making this video.
I can't really explain it but the way you're able to explain how I have been feeling my entire life but articulate in a way I couldn't as if I said it myself. Everything from the relationship problems, to the trauma I can't really put it into words but I'm 35 and have asd, anxiety, adhd, depression and had never even heard of spd until about 30 minutes ago. There has always been "something off" about my life,, where other people who can do "normal" things without even thinking twice while it can take me months to work myself to finally do it. Just working a normal 9-5 job for me is a struggle because just the constant over stimulation of being around people for 8 hours feels like an 18 hour shift before you even throw the actual working part in. If I could hug you through the screen I would there were several times in the video I had to pause because I started crying because you explained certain parts of my life that nobody else could unless they understood how it felt to go through that. I'm not sure if you'll read this or not and I'm sorry for rambling but if you do I wanna thank you. I know in my heart I've been suffering with this forever and can only hope this can be the start of something good. I have been miserable for a long time and just wanna be happy.
I am so glad you related to my video and were able to find some clarity. Being a person is so hard already, but it's even harder with all of the challenges we face. Much solidarity to you, we're in the fight together
Completely relate! I have ASD, SPD, adhd, anxiety, and depression as well. I can only work part time because I physically cannot work full time, I end up quitting. It’s very difficult to explain to people my inner struggles and why I just can’t keep up. You’re not alone!
I’ve been dx with ADHD. But I always feel like something’s crawling on my skin or on my scalp. And I HATE the way my hair feels near my forehead, ears and neck. It takes a min to shower but I never feel clean, just itchy even after moisturizing but even then I’ll sweat and break out into hives. 🤷🏾♀️🥴🙃
Dear Blair. Thank you so much for your kind words and sympathy. I have just turned 25 and my therapist only realised now that I've got SPD. It's quite sad for me, and I feel very lonely. I am pleased that it explains a lot of things in my life (like feeling horrible when exposed to load noise, going from one job to the next or not being able to really have friends, even though I try so hard, and I am very sensitive and understanding of others) thank you for sharing this, I feel really sad and even hopeless. I've been trying so hard my whole life and I feel like giving up. We need more people like you to spread awareness. Thank you God bless❤
I have always tried to explain my quirks to people by saying the nerves in my body are too sensitive. The feeling of wanting to jump out of my skin is not caused by emotions or imagination. I spent years fighting alcoholism because I had no other way to blunt sensory information. I am in my 40s and don't resent the time lost to misunderstanding. I am joyful that my issues have an explanation and treatments.
all i know is someone, some doctor or other person, when i was in my 20s asked me if shirt tags bothered me (or maybe my daughter?) and now i know they should be asking "do tags in expensive shirts bother you." because the first time i put on a quality t shirt , i could not wear it, i thought it was defective. but my friend tried it and said nope, it's fine. it felt like sandpaper. that nice embroidery type tag. cheap shirts have nice silky ribbon fabric tags. maybe an spd person is bothered by them, idk, but they don't hurt or feel like sand paper
I'm 41 and coming to realize that SPD has been the dominant influence in my life from early childhood. It felt like you were talking to or about me for most of this video. I very much embody the idea of 'still' that you described. Unfortunately I have developed an anxiety disorder and CPTSD accompanied by seizures when triggered. I'm very much hoping that learning about SPD will help me deal with that. This was the first of your videos that I've found, so it looks like I have some binging to do.
@Brian…. Omg, I so relate to your post & definitely this vid! Being a woman, now elderly, I’ve fought this my entire life being a woman, repeatedly… repeatedly trying to translate to Physician after Physician every symptom described here. (sadly women are rarely taken seriously) and are described as “attention seeking, anxiety ridden, stressed out and depressed” …. then ran through the gambit of medications, that nearly 99% of cause worsened symptoms or extreme adverse reactions! Afterwards, at the bottom of the rabbit hole… when all else has failed, ya get referred to a Psychiatrist, to pay big bucks “to talk with someone”…. TALK? OMG! Let’s say, “let’s keep adding on stressors”…. I could go on & on… and I believe you & everyone reading this can definitely relate….”we are our best Advocate’s”! I never knew such a condition existed until my Veteran husband was recently diagnosed with “Central Auditory Processing Disorder”… which led me to research his disorder to understand & help him. By doing so… I found “SPD”… after more research, because it was literally descriptive, in detail about me! I actually cried, cried with joy, cried knowing “this is it, this is it “ and cried knowing “ I knew and told them I wasn’t a depressed crazy, lunatic”! For everyone even thinking… SPD describes you…make that call & visit your PC & get referred asap to an Audiologist AND a reputable Neurologist that specializes in this / these fields! YOUR LIFE… DEPENDS ON IT! There is a light at the end of this rabbit hole… and you & your family are worth it!
I have 1. Loud noises 2. Crowds 3. Bare feet in sand 4.hate turtle neck shirts or v necks Auditory processing disorder 5. Masking 6. Can't wallk down cleaning aisle / perfume 7. Anxiety
Omg! Thank you I just now realize that the reason I can ONLY wear v-necks is BC of my SPD. I've just been diagnosed, and I'm starting to see just how many things it effects me in my life. Good luck❤❤❤
I CAN'T STAND bare feet on sand, also have auditory processing disorder. Hate crowds, too. But I love love love turtlenecks, especially if thr have longer sleeves and are tighter. Is like been hugged/held. The pressure on my skin helps me a lot.
A fantastic video. My 8 year old daughter has SPD. TH-camrs like yourself will play a large part in helping her understand and navigate the world. I'm sure at some point she will look for videos like this. It's really helpful to those of us who may not be able to understand some of the issues you face. I've already seen in UK the lack of funding available for young people/adults who are neurodiverse. Those who might not have an advocate for them need to hear voices like yours. Keep it up ❤
I was forced to be undiagnosed for YEARS. I went through so much and was just called to be "overreacting" . Finally, I got diagnosed but now I'm still not noticed as different in those aspects. But, I'm thankful to be diagnosed and able to find people who go through those things too.
Thank you so much for including signers. And phrasing it that way to include all signers: d/Deaf, hearing, APD, everyone! Bonus points for ASL in your thumbnail images, too.
@@BlaireM That's awesome. You don't have to answer this question if you don't want to give out identifying information about yourself, but I'm curious where you got your ASL degree.
I found out 3 months ago along with an ASD level 2 diagnosis following a burnout at work. I’m 41. Have 3 kids. Spent 20 years as a software engineer. Now I rather everyone leave me alone. I no longer drive, work or do what people expect of me - reasonably and legally mind you. I rather be on welfare spending my days reading books at the library, listening to podcasts and eating soup than go back to the absolute mental torture that is the workplace and commuting.
Hello! Very informative video. I’m 26 years old and I have been seemingly starting to noticing the levels Of overwhelmedness and certain auditory triggers that I dont remember bothering my years ago that now suddenly set me into an anxiety attack. I have not been diagnosed but I have done tons of research to understand more of what I thought was some weird new anxiety that I now think is sensory processing disorder. With in the last year or so it has become increasingly harder to cope with my many triggers and increasing harder to calm and wind myself back down. This is something that has been a dark cloud over me for most of my life and it feels nice to put a name to my symptoms. To see my most intense triggers as listed trigger examples makes me feel not alone.
A lot of people develop worsened or brand new SPD following covid-19 infection, and in fact any virus that can cause post-viral multisystem dysfunction syndromes, usually with other symptoms of long covid but that can also be the only one. You'll hear people mention in their 30s or 40s that for some reason sounds and lights are suddenly too intense for them since their infection.
Hello, I am a 54 year old male who has always been this way, and have only just found out about SPD. Any clothing, from whenever I can remember, to now, still enrages me with their labels and scratchy material, and I was classed as a "difficult child". Foods were a complete nightmare as well as brushing teeth which made me gag terribly. I'm only starting to learn about this, and thanks to people like you, I have a better understanding already as to where to seek help. Thank you so much for this.
That's very interested! After I was adopted from Russia, my special educator noticed how I hated hearing all the environmental sounds and provided me with the therapeutic equipment. It started helping me with the sensory issues; however, doesn't make things go away due to ongoing experienced with the long-term issues. I'm deaf as well as a visual learner and a sensory issue since such a young girl. I'm now attending at the University for becoming an Inclusive ECE teacher. Yet, my sensory issues wouldn't go away with the meltdown and things like that. Realized they're trying to help me with something comfortable how I felt about my grades went down. One of the student of Deans started helping me with the great advice while crying aloud and felt so much better after playing with a sensory toy. Hope you guys have a great week! 😀
As she told me something important from the Student of Deans, it's okay to try something new and bring your sensory toys into the University classes. I've brought the cheaper sensory equipment (from the Amazon) and will use for the Spring semester 2024 to keep my hand busied. Especially helped with the reduced-distractions and anxiety things. Looking forward to work with great supportive people out there! I was amazed that you said something very interested about SPD because of wasn't realizing that experienced with the hearing sensitive and visual processing things in an Elementary School. So grateful that you have provided clarifying SPD information that made me feel so much better! Gotta think positively until things will get better no matter what. Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much for your empathy and raising awareness of the experience of living with an SPD. The idea that people just make do year after year because they don't know what's going on in their bodies and minds is really poignant; but at least if they do find their way to help, it's more available now.
This is such a great series. I was confused for years because I related to a lot of experiences shared by autistic folks including my friends but didn't meet criteria outside of sensory issues. My mother had a disability that made her very sound and light sensitive, so my perception of 'normal' was skewed. I recently got accomodations that allow me to work from home and take frequent breaks, and it made SUCH a huge difference. I still feel really weird trying to explain why I need it, but I no longer have weekly breakdowns in my car. Thanks for putting together this series!
Thanks so much for this video. I resonate with everyone else in the comments - I'm 28 and have struggled with sensory sensitivities, anxiety and intense empathy/emotional sensitivity throughout my life, without knowing the words to use to describe what I experience or that there are others like me. I've had a very hard time with full-time employment and romantic relationships. Knowing this is a thing with a name is super powerful! I'm ready to learn more and to explore ideas to support myself as a loving friend instead of the inner critic who feels like masking and pushing through is the only safe option to get by. I have experienced significant benefit from Sarah Jackson Coaching's online resource library, which includes sensory skills, somatic healing practices and nervous system education, but now I feel more confident to educate those around me and take my needs seriously. Sending love to all those who are in the same boat
This is life changing. Thank you so much for all the encouragement and info. I am 50 and I just came across this after diving deep into researching my own sensory issues. I have had ADHD all my life but diagnosed in my 30s. Needless to say, having ADHD (for me) has made this more complicated. I’ve been masking both my entire life and after having a meltdown a week ago, did some soul searching on why I could not keep a job. I have continuously berated myself over the fact that I quit so frequently. My family has struggled to understand at best…and at worst called me lazy and selfish, and everything else. I have always thought it was “just” my adhd and a learning disorder that made starting work so difficult (and that would be enough!). The very next day I was in a store and felt like I was going through shell shock. It hit me then that I deal with so much more. Sometimes with adhd I feel like don’t have a body, just a brain. I tune my body and senses out to such a degree that I can’t tell what I am feeling…maybe that is also due to masking, and being under-responsive as well. The other part of the time I am an anxious mess and feeling every sound and even movements…the “busyness” and the energy of an environment can be so overwhelming. The lights. Everything is so unnatural and I also think that we’re sensitive to those environments. I’ve never felt overwhelmed in a forest, but maybe that’s just me. Again…thank you so much. You explained my life better than I ever could. ❤
Thank you for sharing your story with me! I'm so glad my video could help you to feel less alone... as someone who also frequently goes through job crises (and is in one right now) I definitely understand. Best wishes and solidarity to you
im 26 years old, i have just started doing some research on sensory disorders because i have found myself getting super overloaded mostly by sounds. i get irritated and anxious as well as super jittery. i havent been diagnosed with anything yet, but alot of what im learning seems to match pretty well.
I'm 38 and I've just heard about SPD about 10 mins ago. I'm like 99.9% sure this is me. Idc how good the food is, if it's in any way mushy, it's a no. Shoes? Hell no! Wrinkly bedding, loud noises, strong smells, bright lights, neon multi-colored anything, crowds- get tf away f me! Wow, so basically I'm trying to say ty for having the solution to the q of "tf is wrong w me?" I have no money for therapy/doc visit so I'm just googling until I figure it out myself. So far I've self-diagnosed w SPD and ADHD. I'm not done googling yet! Thanks again, sorry for the book lol
I will say I'm not diagnosed but I have experienced all that you said, ngl I'm in tears, I work in a asd classroom and it's made me realize and notice more things that make me suspect that I may have APD.
This is amazing, thank you. You are awesome! It’s hard for me to get a diagnosis as it’s assumed it goes with autism. I don’t know how to proceed as SPD isn’t fully recognised on its own in the UK. Thanks again x
im 20 almost 21 and learning this iv got trisomy 13 autism, adhd, stress, depression, ocd, not even 2 minutes in and i got my back blown out by info left right and center holy shit
I couldn't understand why I've been feeling all my life like a fake introvert, I love being around people, but I get overstimulated easily and then I need lots of time to recharge, I'm just learning about this at almost 40, because becoming a mom dysregulated me so much and I couldn't understand why
I feel this. As I've gotten older I've become more extroverted - I love to have people over to my house but it always tires me out so much. solidarity to you
I have a 2 year old with spd. And I'm doing research every aspect to help him grow and be happy and maintaine a life he's comfortable with. Are you vocal about it? Let ppl around you know your needs ? Or you quite not to draw attention? 🤔 how did you get through school looking back what do you wish you had for help noise canceling headphones more resources ? can your experiences help me help him navigate a world that dosnt quite get him ? And I agree spd is very limited in help which is sad because it can be torture 😢 I see what my man goes through I can't imagine when he's school age.....
I'm so glad you are doing research! Learning as much as you can is one of the best things you can do for him. I used to try as hard as I could to avoid even mentioning that I was hurting, but it got to a point where it was way too painful to let myself suffer any more. Now I am learning to self-advocate, although I wish I had learned sooner in my childhood. I would say the number one thing that would have helped me in school would be to have the adults in my life believe me when I told them I was in pain. I got a lot of "suck it up", "you're fine", "this isn't a big deal" etc. Totally unhelpful and actually made things worse for me. Believe him when he says he is tired or needs a break. The community of SPDers finding each other is growing all the time - I believe things are looking up for us. I know it is probably so so so hard to watch your child have those painful moments but keep your head up and remember that YOU know your child the best. If you feel like a certain therapy or environment isn't helping him, don't hesitate to find an alternative. Create a safe space for him to feel whatever he feels, and you've done the most important work.
I am 22 and I have just started working as a special education instructional aide. I just found I had SPD when I was 19 and have only since then started learning about myself, learning about my symptoms, learning how to self-mitigate, and how to overcome whatever struggle I go through. However, working in special education, I am currently at war with myself and other people in whether or not I should tell my boss I have SPD (as you mentioned: masking). Quite frankly, I can see it going one of two ways: either it'll backfire and my higher ups will be wary of my skills or I'll be celebrated for overcoming. I'm curious. What was your experience in working in special education as an adult with SPD and how did you work with the people around you?
I used to work as an IA - our stories sound very similar! Honestly for me it depended on the person. My co-aide and lead teacher in my classroom were very accepting and great to work with. I told them both pretty early on. The two biggest things for me were wearing earplugs in class sometimes (just as needed) and taking breaks when I needed to. I didn't feel it necessary to disclose to my principal since he didn't work with me directly. A few people figured it out just based on my behavior. I did get some condescension here and there, but nothing like what the students experienced. It's amazing (in a bad way) how much ableism exists in sped.
I got mine at 19yrs old thinking I was ready but was constantly anxious about learning to drive and couldn't grasp the concept of steering and only recently I've been ready to do it
I don’t have my driver’s license, saying the word “paper towels” give me chill bumps and I can feel it on my tongue, I can not touch them. I hear noises that no one else can hear. I can not keep a job, not that I don’t wanna work. Loose hair, flashes from phones, mint, coffee, loud pitches and cologne make my anxiety kick and want to curl up and cry. I can barely wear shoes. I have to wear shower flip flops. Strobe lights and fireworks make me super uncomfortable. I only let two people hug me. Being next to cotton takes hours for me to calm down. I can’t swim or ride a bicycle either. Maybe I’m on the spectrum?
I'm not a professional so I can't diagnose you, but I would say it's a likely possibility. Sending solidarity. Some people will never understand how hard it is just to exist, but it can get better.
My description has a couple of blogs listed, and a lovely Facebook group if you're on Facebook. If you're more of the reading type, I'd recommend the book The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up by Carol Kranowitz! Some good IG accounts I follow with lots of information are: @21andsensory and @theautisticlife, sometimes the subreddit r/SPD has good info too. (You can view those pages on your web browser if you don't have an IG or Reddit account!) I hope this is helpful!
Hey Blaire.... What are some signs that you are getting SPD overloaded or you are heading toward SPD burnout? Especially for someone who does not yet know much about SPD (other than their childhood issues of clothing labels, specific types of light, too much environmental talking) THAT that kind of thing? Also what kind of things in a person's day can be SPD related and overwhelming? For example would it be fluorescent lights plus if you are a visual learner listening to profs and University with auditory teaching all day plus how do dorm roommates affect things if you still have your own private bedroom to retreat to? What about cognitive...is THST SPD or HFA related? How can an O.T. help a university attending YA? That kind of thing😃
Love all the questions! Some of them I don’t know the answers to but here goes… I notice when I am heading toward burnout that I’m often tired, but sleep doesn’t feel restful. The biggest thing is irritability and lack of interest. It can present like depression in my experience. Any form of sensory input can be perceived as overwhelming! Each person with SPD can be different. There’s usually no one solution to sensory overload so it’s best to ask the person in question what they need. As for SPD in college maybe I should actually just make a whole video about that… college was a handful for me, lol. Appreciate the comment!
Im 66 and i have NEVER experienced any amount of getting "used to" any envirement that gives me sensory overload i didnt know i had it until my 50's . I just felt like a freak and i was constantly bracing myself against just "being". The hardest part is....other people do not get it. They think you are neurotic. My doctor said its a psychological disorder . You said it was a neurological disorder! Interesting!
I am fifty years and I am now starting to understand this. I have been masking for years trying to force my way through it. This video is very relatable and I want to say thank you for sharing. Tired and looking for some assistance with this. Any suggestions or advise would be welcome. It took me longer to get my life in order so to say. Just started a new job in an open environment and it is harder than I thought it would be.
I would say the first step would be observation. What exactly triggers you and what makes you feel better? When I was first starting out I wrote down my triggers on a piece of paper and then on the other side wrote what helped me calm down (earplugs, taking a break, etc.) Taking lots of field notes helped me figure myself out first, and then I could articulate to other people what I needed and why. Best of luck to you!
I've been diagnosed with panic disorder but ive found all the treatments dont work so im looking into this. Im definitely a still at 29 I have no friends, i live with my parents, im depressed and scared all the time and im pretty good with people, but i leave or they leave very fast because im so unstable. The lonliness is driving me to..bad things. If i had one friend, a true friend irl who cared i may be able to live longer but idk its not gonna happen after 7 years. I'm so sick of the pain and everything feels deterministic I have nobody and nothing except for the things people tell me to be grateful for like food and clothes on my back but my entire social life is completely empty I feel it's my right after trying so long to make the decision whether or not I want to keep living. I studied psychology, philosophy and computer stuff (coding) on my own and certifications mean nothing to an employer but that's whatever I just lost out on seven years of human experience at least because of my inability to move past anything despite having seen multiple therapists in been on all this medicine 99% that wasn't even needed I don't want a friendship that's on Facebook Messenger or text I want people to call I want people to meet in person and just be able to give a hug to but that's not going to happen even if I say it will or have faith it's pointless at this point I feel like my best hope is just maybe becoming a polymath type scholar shut-in and just be miserable and die early like Franz Kafka I don't know why I'm posting this comment I'm just going to sleep wake up and it's all going to be happening over and over again and nobody's ever going to be there so I just have to figure out a way to somehow get a minimum required amount of social interaction day by day and maybe just work on Hobbies and if I end up leaving the planet early that's the way it's got to be and having everything gone when my brain loses oxygen and that little bit of electricity goes out and zero perception exists is the closest thing that I can ever find resembling peace the best thing I can do is sleep I do lift a ton of Weights by myself I do read and write and I watch a lot of TH-cam but yeah my life is empty and there's nothing I can really do about it I'm hoping somebody comes along but if not I guess I just have to decide what I want to do about this most likely I'm going to wait it out until the end of my life and hopefully I won't die in a scary way but I'll be aware that I'll finally be at peace and the irony is when you're at peace you won't even know it but I guess I think that's sufficient for me thanks for explaining all this stuff if I find a way out that would be cool but I don't see it and you're doing good work I hope you never have to suffer nearly a decade of complete loneliness I hope nobody has to suffer I'm just rambling now take care of yourself guys most people do make it eventually I just happened to be one of the ones who probably won't peace out
So my son has had anxiety and went to see a therapist and using CBT all symptoms are gone, so i guess if you have anxiety, it never really goes away but it’s pretty much I would say not existent he is excelling in school. He does everything that normal boys do he’s 18 years old. He has a great life he’s in college however, there is one issue that is not going away, and before the anxiety, panic attack he always had a sensation that bothered him, but thought it was normal. However, after the anxiety attack, I see him complaining about it and it’s bothering him. It’s affecting his life so this problem is only with his shirts he cannot have rough texture, church, touching his chest or he doesn’t even like the shirt to be on his chest on his skin, but it’s weird because it’s only in that area. I am not finding any solution except for this sensory disorder that you are talking about but now I’m doubting myself because I see in the comments people have a lot of other issues that I don’t feel my son has but what the heck is this feeling of his shirt not being able to touch his chest he keeps pulling the shirts away from his chest with his mouth when he’s sitting, he doesn’t like to close the zippers on his jackets he doesn’t like wearing heavy coats? Can you please help me? I am looking everywhere. I stay up all night searching I’m exhausted. It’s taking up my whole life this search because I’m heartbroken for my son I want him to be happy and this is inhibiting his full potential to be happy.
I would recommend talking to a medical professional about this! Sometimes sensory issues are caused directly by SPD, but they can be a symptom of something else going on neurologically. Best of luck in your journey. I know how hard it is to see someone you love hurting.
Hi... thank you for your videos and for sharing your experiences. I wonder if you could share some of the ways you take care of yourself while working at a school? I also work at a primary school, and I don't know for sure if i meet the criteria for SPD, but i do know that I am very sensitive to sounds, neon lights, chaotic energy, and... lots of things found in a school environment! I find some days i can make it through ok, but sometimes i reach a threshold, and it can take a lot out of me. i guess i know some things that help me, but would love to hear yours! Thanks
Did you get a diagnosis? I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD last year age 38 and am sure I have sensory and auditory processing disorder but don't know if or where I could go to get diagnosed or if I need to! I would also like to be assessed for Dyscalcular. Also I'm in the UK and have no money for assessments.
I don't live in the UK so I'm not sure what the process is there! The decision to pursue a diagnosis is up to you. In America we have the Americans with Disabilities act which entitles people to certain accommodations based on a known and documented disability, so a lot of times people in America will want that in order to receive accommodations at work or school. However, some people choose not to pursue any formal diagnosis. Each person has their reasons and it's a very personal decision. I went to a neuropsychiatrist for my diagnoses so maybe a doctor within that discipline could evaluate you for SPD/APD. I hope this helps!
@@BlaireM Thank you thats really helpful as now i know who specialises in it (neuropsychiatrist). I will speak to my doctor about it as they have to refer me to any specialists under the NHS as I can't afford to pay as dont work. Thanks again xx
Ime in UK 43 sure I have Asperger's SPD from birth hypomobility fybromyalgia CFS took this long mum has it to severe ms and sure my father does without my loving family a wouldn't be here today pain is the problem for me now
Severely dyslexic can't drive do forms work electronics. An artist but don't measure or calculate. At 70 now also vision impaired 0 help on my own totally trying manage Medicare & Other gave up managing bank account I rarely get to store's can't set up on line shopping accounts need assistance in all of these no matter how hard I try to make it work. 😢I try to focus on one thing. It like my brain splits 5-7 ways.
Bruh but imagine knowing you had SPD for half your life but never taking it seriously (because no one else did) until having nearly daily meltdowns at work and stumbling upon a random YT video like there NEEDS to be more awareness about this. This is appalling.
Thank you so much for making this video. I’m 23 years old and just found out yesterday that I have SPD. I always thought the things I struggle with were just part of my ADHD (which I didn’t even know I had until I was diagnosed last November!), but I didn’t realize that my ADHD, depression, and OCD are all connected to SPD.
Towards the end of the video, when you talked about how it’s okay to feel sad about the moments we were supposed to enjoy, I started tearing up. I’ve felt misunderstood my whole life, especially as a kid. I always thought I was just stupid and weird, and that I had to watch what everyone else was doing so I could fit in and avoid being made fun of.
Thank you again.
As a child I couldn’t play with other kids for various reasons but one thing I remember: I told myself, maybe I could try to play with them if they didn’t make such a terrible noise and run everywhere around like a swarm of bees. That was painful, overwhelming, I often felt startled. And I still feel this way when walking on the street and some car honks or bus or tram passing or someone turns loud music in their car. My colleague at work likes to Honl on me with the forklift and laughs when seeing me startled jumping up
You pretty much described me. I just turned 35, and yah, life hasn’t been easy. I’ve had so much trouble living a normal life, I actually couldn’t, ever. I haven’t had a job in 2 years, and thank god for my husband now, he takes care of me and understands.
I recently clued into this reality when I’m out in public and I can’t stand loud cars or motorbikes going by. It makes me scared, and very angry. I hate loud noises. I get exhausted very easily, I can’t even handle very loud music anymore. I feel like a lot of it may be due to abuse in early childhood, that has an effect on how your brain develops, due to higher levels of cortisol produced when children are under constant stress.
I didn’t know what sensory processing disorder was until my mid thirties. For years I would get jokingly called a ‘child-hater’ at work because I couldn’t understand why everyone thought it was normal to have meetings in a room within earshot of a daycare where the kids were play screaming.
I was scared to ask for help with anything on the computer because people would get in my personal space to lean over me and point at the screen.
I’d hear people planning to go out to bars and arcades after work and think ‘I hope they don’t invite me to that noisy, crowded place.’ Then, I’d feel sad anyway when they actually didn’t invite me.
Even now, I’m sitting here typing this in my room with noise blocking panels over my windows AND heavy duty hearing protection headphones because the landscapers ACROSS THE STREET have been blasting high power gas leaf blowers for the past 2 and a half hours. Sigh, it’s still hard but at least I know now that I’m not just weak willed or crazy
I totally hear you. 💜
I'm 64 and just figuring it out now. I had to retire at 60 from office work as smells were overwhelming and uncontrollable, commute harrowing...long story. Now loud sounds (freakin' muscle cars!) Unusual sounds and every bit of trash in public drives me nuts. I now startle very easily. I loved the lockdown. Hubby loves to travel, I stress out about crowds, smells, lights, tight areas. I hope you have a better outcome when you are 64.
Those muscle cars are the worst! Wishing you sensory relief
41yo here. Had similar situation.
Thank you for sharing!
I don't know if you know, but there are little earplugs you can buy that help reduce some sounds, but still let some sound through.
I haven't tried any of them yet -- I think 1 brand is called "Loop Earplugs".
Do you know them? Has anyone tried them? 😇😇
@@domp409I’m testing some.
They are developed for concerts, and the goal is to limit extra noise (like talkers).
I do find I struggle to hear people when I need to, when wearing these. So I pull one out, or wear them loosely in social situations. It buffers the extra adequately, for me.
I'm going on 3 years I just turned 40 and I'm running out of my savings i developed so many mental illness during these past year's and I'm getting therapy treatment physical but no help with income Any suggestions on how to live this way and financially make it out
You explained it so perfectly. I barely figured it out at 32 with ASD. I’ve become an avoidant adult due to hypersensitivities. I barely got my drivers license a few years ago. My relationships never last long because I need my alone time to recharge and get anxiety with the constant sensory overload. And boy is it difficult to work!
Living with SPD is overwhelming. Now I see I’m not alone.
Thank you for expressing this. We need more resources for adults.
Well for me it's opened up what's wrong with me at 43 hypomobility ICD from birth sure I have Asperger's used to have painful hair as child CFS 26 years fybromyalgia 6 very hard mum same with severe ms
This is so helpful and validating to me. I was diagnosed at around 35 years old, after being married and having two kids. That's a long time to be "self-hating". In fact, I'm still trying to stop self-hating because I'm effecting literally everyone else in my family. Even though they know I have SPD, they still forget, or don't even think about why I'm having difficulty in certain situations. They're still trying to make things "easier" for me (sometimes), but it doesn't help bc they aren't ME. Many of my issues change daily, and not just once during the day. Multiple times during the day. Even my husband who knows I have SPD can get short or irritated with me because I'm struggling. He personalizes it and gets defensive, even when it's not his fault. I've learned to tell him during a meltdown that it's not him, it's me. That helps, but it's not always easy for me to "catch" that thought "tell him it's not him" as it flies by while other more anxious things are happening all at once. It requires a great deal of concentration to tell him I'm having trouble WHILE I'm trying to work out the fight, flight, freeze place I'm in. I still constantly mentally slap myself around because this or that is "too much for me to handle right now" or "I can't put myself in that situation or I'll freak out no matter how many anti-anxiety pills I swallow!" At the moment we HAVE to buy a new car. This is the seventh circle of hell for me. All the feels. All the smells. And it's SUMMER and it's HOT OUT, and I HATE the heat. All the TALKING from the salespeople. I just need QUIET to figure out if I can get comfortable in each and every vehicle I'm in. Often I only need about 10 seconds to figure out if a car will work for me. My husband is trying to be patient bc he knows this is hell for me, but I can't stop the thoughts that I'm ruining everything for him bc he has to put up with me trying to find "Laurie sensitive" cars. I feel so badly that the cars that could be great for us, and are great on gas mileage, won't work for me bc the geniuses that make the cars have now decided putting the touch screen monitors ON TOP of the dashboard is a fantastic idea! I literally flip out when just our little inspection sticker is too high, and now we have to try to find a car that: doesn't have the monitor on the dash, that isn't cloth, that doesn't have big blind spots, that doesn't smell weird, that doesn't have a lot of stitching on the seats, that has 10 point power seats not only on the drivers side but the passenger side as well, that has comfortable back seats jic I end up up back there, that doesn't make me feel squished, that doesn't have seats that wrap around my butt and back....need I go on? Our car was SO perfect in every way, but it cannot be brought back to life so I'm desperately trying to find a car exactly like it. My poor husband! Thankfully our kids are grown so they don't have to be subjected to my "picky-ness". The other day my husband drove home a car that had almost everything I told him not to bring home for me to try out. I tried...I REALLY tried to overcome every issue so he could get the car he wanted, but I ended up having one of the worst panic attacks I've had in three years. Yay me. After the panic attack was over, I got in my pitch black bedroom, put my heavy weighted blanket on, but since that wasn't enough weight I added a box of filled water bottles and some other heavy things on top of me, took two anti-anxiety pills and finally fell asleep. So yeah, that's just one example of my present life. I was telling a trusted friend about this, and naturally she felt badly for my husband. So she said to me, "It's his car too." GUILT GUILT GUILT! Umm YA! I know that! That's why this is SO HARD, and why the self hating starts up again. It's not her fault. I'm not mad at her. Unless you have SPD, you just don't get it. No one in my family completely understands me. They never have bc we didn't have OT for SPD way back when so I could get help as a child. I'm still "princess and the pea", particular, etc. And it's SO MUCH WORSE when I know I'm making them loose their patience. When ppl hear I have to buy a first class plane ticket they think I think I'm better than everyone else. Ummm...NO. I'd love to sit in "steerage" with my hubs, but I'd rather not have a full blown panic attack in a small area filled with people squished against eachother shooting through the sky at 30,000 feet. But, if I want to go see our daughter, I have to go first class. It's embarrassing! And it's oh so fun knowing it's just going to get worse the older I get.
I'm sorry for taking up so much time here. We are just going through it right now and your videos SPOKE to me at the perfect time! Bless you! PLEASE keep making videos if you can bc you are seriously the first person that has actually addressed ADULT SPD. ♥
Thank you for taking the time to post this, had me in tears. So sorry you have to live with this. I am not sure if I have This Exact Condition yet but I do have about 75% of the symptoms and can relate… still trying to figure out what has happened to me. Your description of dealing with the self hate and feeling like a burden are so spot on. I had just been through a huge PTSD melt down a few years prior to this and had learned so much through that process that helped equip me with tools for navigating this new “hell”. First was meditation and breath work, positive self talk/treatment aka treating yourself like your own best friend. If you had a friend with this condition how would you talk to or treat them? A few books have changed my life: Loving what Is by Byron Katie, The Power of Now by Elkhart Tolee….so many more but those were complete game changers. Hang in there, smile, stop apologizing (say thank you for your patience instead), and realize that no matter how hard they try, people in your life can never truly understand what you’re going through. (But there are still a few of us out here that can❤😊)
This is THE MOST relatable and accurate video I have ever, ever seen about SPD. I feel absolutely all of this. It’s relieving to hear that I shouldn’t have to accept expectations to function the way a neurotypical does. SPD can be so incredibly debilitating, and people don’t seem to understand. I’m going to be sure to communicate this when I am going through job interviews. It’s destroyed and strained relationships and harmed my life in so many ways. School and work and daily functioning is so hard. I cannot thank you enough for making this video.
I can't really explain it but the way you're able to explain how I have been feeling my entire life but articulate in a way I couldn't as if I said it myself. Everything from the relationship problems, to the trauma I can't really put it into words but I'm 35 and have asd, anxiety, adhd, depression and had never even heard of spd until about 30 minutes ago. There has always been "something off" about my life,, where other people who can do "normal" things without even thinking twice while it can take me months to work myself to finally do it. Just working a normal 9-5 job for me is a struggle because just the constant over stimulation of being around people for 8 hours feels like an 18 hour shift before you even throw the actual working part in. If I could hug you through the screen I would there were several times in the video I had to pause because I started crying because you explained certain parts of my life that nobody else could unless they understood how it felt to go through that. I'm not sure if you'll read this or not and I'm sorry for rambling but if you do I wanna thank you. I know in my heart I've been suffering with this forever and can only hope this can be the start of something good. I have been miserable for a long time and just wanna be happy.
I am so glad you related to my video and were able to find some clarity. Being a person is so hard already, but it's even harder with all of the challenges we face. Much solidarity to you, we're in the fight together
Completely relate! I have ASD, SPD, adhd, anxiety, and depression as well. I can only work part time because I physically cannot work full time, I end up quitting. It’s very difficult to explain to people my inner struggles and why I just can’t keep up. You’re not alone!
I’ve been dx with ADHD. But I always feel like something’s crawling on my skin or on my scalp. And I HATE the way my hair feels near my forehead, ears and neck. It takes a min to shower but I never feel clean, just itchy even after moisturizing but even then I’ll sweat and break out into hives. 🤷🏾♀️🥴🙃
Dear Blair.
Thank you so much for your kind words and sympathy.
I have just turned 25 and my therapist only realised now that I've got SPD.
It's quite sad for me, and I feel very lonely.
I am pleased that it explains a lot of things in my life (like feeling horrible when exposed to load noise, going from one job to the next or not being able to really have friends, even though I try so hard, and I am very sensitive and understanding of others) thank you for sharing this, I feel really sad and even hopeless. I've been trying so hard my whole life and I feel like giving up.
We need more people like you to spread awareness.
Thank you God bless❤
I have always tried to explain my quirks to people by saying the nerves in my body are too sensitive. The feeling of wanting to jump out of my skin is not caused by emotions or imagination. I spent years fighting alcoholism because I had no other way to blunt sensory information.
I am in my 40s and don't resent the time lost to misunderstanding. I am joyful that my issues have an explanation and treatments.
I love this perspective 💜
8. Bright lights,
9. have trouble controlling amount of things I see all at once. Can hear everyone' s conversations at the same time
I reckon if you met my screaming toddler she would make your list.
all i know is someone, some doctor or other person, when i was in my 20s asked me if shirt tags bothered me (or maybe my daughter?) and now i know they should be asking "do tags in expensive shirts bother you." because the first time i put on a quality t shirt , i could not wear it, i thought it was defective. but my friend tried it and said nope, it's fine. it felt like sandpaper. that nice embroidery type tag. cheap shirts have nice silky ribbon fabric tags. maybe an spd person is bothered by them, idk, but they don't hurt or feel like sand paper
I'm 41 and coming to realize that SPD has been the dominant influence in my life from early childhood. It felt like you were talking to or about me for most of this video. I very much embody the idea of 'still' that you described.
Unfortunately I have developed an anxiety disorder and CPTSD accompanied by seizures when triggered. I'm very much hoping that learning about SPD will help me deal with that.
This was the first of your videos that I've found, so it looks like I have some binging to do.
@Brian…. Omg, I so relate to your post & definitely this vid!
Being a woman, now elderly, I’ve fought this my entire life being a woman, repeatedly… repeatedly trying to translate to Physician after Physician every symptom described here. (sadly women are rarely taken seriously) and are described as “attention seeking, anxiety ridden, stressed out and depressed” …. then ran through the gambit of medications, that nearly 99% of cause worsened symptoms or extreme adverse reactions!
Afterwards, at the bottom of the rabbit hole… when all else has failed, ya get referred to a Psychiatrist, to pay big bucks “to talk with someone”…. TALK? OMG!
Let’s say, “let’s keep adding on stressors”….
I could go on & on… and I believe you & everyone reading this can definitely relate….”we are our best Advocate’s”!
I never knew such a condition existed until my Veteran husband was recently diagnosed with “Central Auditory Processing Disorder”… which led me to research his disorder to understand & help him. By doing so… I found
“SPD”… after more research, because it was literally descriptive, in detail about me! I actually cried, cried with joy, cried knowing “this is it, this is it “ and cried knowing
“ I knew and told them I wasn’t a depressed crazy, lunatic”!
For everyone even thinking… SPD describes you…make that call & visit your PC & get referred asap to an Audiologist AND a reputable Neurologist that specializes in this / these fields!
YOUR LIFE… DEPENDS ON IT!
There is a light at the end of this rabbit hole… and you & your family are worth it!
I have 1. Loud noises
2. Crowds
3. Bare feet in sand
4.hate turtle neck shirts or v necks
Auditory processing disorder
5. Masking
6. Can't wallk down cleaning aisle / perfume
7. Anxiety
I am so sorry!
Omg! Thank you
I just now realize that the reason I can ONLY wear v-necks is BC of my SPD.
I've just been diagnosed, and I'm starting to see just how many things it effects me in my life.
Good luck❤❤❤
I CAN'T STAND bare feet on sand, also have auditory processing disorder. Hate crowds, too. But I love love love turtlenecks, especially if thr have longer sleeves and are tighter. Is like been hugged/held. The pressure on my skin helps me a lot.
Totally understand.
I wish Spd was considered a diagnosis.
A lot of us struggle with this.
A fantastic video. My 8 year old daughter has SPD. TH-camrs like yourself will play a large part in helping her understand and navigate the world. I'm sure at some point she will look for videos like this.
It's really helpful to those of us who may not be able to understand some of the issues you face.
I've already seen in UK the lack of funding available for young people/adults who are neurodiverse. Those who might not have an advocate for them need to hear voices like yours.
Keep it up ❤
I was forced to be undiagnosed for YEARS. I went through so much and was just called to be "overreacting" . Finally, I got diagnosed but now I'm still not noticed as different in those aspects. But, I'm thankful to be diagnosed and able to find people who go through those things too.
Thank you so much for including signers. And phrasing it that way to include all signers: d/Deaf, hearing, APD, everyone!
Bonus points for ASL in your thumbnail images, too.
Glad someone noticed that ;) my BA is in ASL!
@@BlaireM That's awesome.
You don't have to answer this question if you don't want to give out identifying information about yourself, but I'm curious where you got your ASL degree.
@@resourceress7 Small liberal arts university on the East Coast :)
I found out 3 months ago along with an ASD level 2 diagnosis following a burnout at work. I’m 41. Have 3 kids. Spent 20 years as a software engineer.
Now I rather everyone leave me alone. I no longer drive, work or do what people expect of me - reasonably and legally mind you. I rather be on welfare spending my days reading books at the library, listening to podcasts and eating soup than go back to the absolute mental torture that is the workplace and commuting.
Hello! Very informative video. I’m 26 years old and I have been seemingly starting to noticing the levels Of overwhelmedness and certain auditory triggers that I dont remember bothering my years ago that now suddenly set me into an anxiety attack. I have not been diagnosed but I have done tons of research to understand more of what I thought was some weird new anxiety that I now think is sensory processing disorder. With in the last year or so it has become increasingly harder to cope with my many triggers and increasing harder to calm and wind myself back down. This is something that has been a dark cloud over me for most of my life and it feels nice to put a name to my symptoms. To see my most intense triggers as listed trigger examples makes me feel not alone.
Solidarity! It is possible to survive & thrive with SPD, I wish you luck on your journey
A lot of people develop worsened or brand new SPD following covid-19 infection, and in fact any virus that can cause post-viral multisystem dysfunction syndromes, usually with other symptoms of long covid but that can also be the only one. You'll hear people mention in their 30s or 40s that for some reason sounds and lights are suddenly too intense for them since their infection.
Hello, I am a 54 year old male who has always been this way, and have only just found out about SPD. Any clothing, from whenever I can remember, to now, still enrages me with their labels and scratchy material, and I was classed as a "difficult child". Foods were a complete nightmare as well as brushing teeth which made me gag terribly. I'm only starting to learn about this, and thanks to people like you, I have a better understanding already as to where to seek help. Thank you so much for this.
Solidarity. I am so glad I could help you.
Thank you for explaining the “cumulative” trauma response thing! Helpful
❤
That's very interested! After I was adopted from Russia, my special educator noticed how I hated hearing all the environmental sounds and provided me with the therapeutic equipment. It started helping me with the sensory issues; however, doesn't make things go away due to ongoing experienced with the long-term issues. I'm deaf as well as a visual learner and a sensory issue since such a young girl.
I'm now attending at the University for becoming an Inclusive ECE teacher. Yet, my sensory issues wouldn't go away with the meltdown and things like that. Realized they're trying to help me with something comfortable how I felt about my grades went down. One of the student of Deans started helping me with the great advice while crying aloud and felt so much better after playing with a sensory toy. Hope you guys have a great week! 😀
As she told me something important from the Student of Deans, it's okay to try something new and bring your sensory toys into the University classes. I've brought the cheaper sensory equipment (from the Amazon) and will use for the Spring semester 2024 to keep my hand busied. Especially helped with the reduced-distractions and anxiety things. Looking forward to work with great supportive people out there!
I was amazed that you said something very interested about SPD because of wasn't realizing that experienced with the hearing sensitive and visual processing things in an Elementary School. So grateful that you have provided clarifying SPD information that made me feel so much better! Gotta think positively until things will get better no matter what. Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much for your empathy and raising awareness of the experience of living with an SPD. The idea that people just make do year after year because they don't know what's going on in their bodies and minds is really poignant; but at least if they do find their way to help, it's more available now.
This is such a great series. I was confused for years because I related to a lot of experiences shared by autistic folks including my friends but didn't meet criteria outside of sensory issues. My mother had a disability that made her very sound and light sensitive, so my perception of 'normal' was skewed.
I recently got accomodations that allow me to work from home and take frequent breaks, and it made SUCH a huge difference. I still feel really weird trying to explain why I need it, but I no longer have weekly breakdowns in my car.
Thanks for putting together this series!
Ahh the car breakdowns, I know them all too well 😭 I’m so glad you have accommodations that work for you!
Thanks so much for this video. I resonate with everyone else in the comments - I'm 28 and have struggled with sensory sensitivities, anxiety and intense empathy/emotional sensitivity throughout my life, without knowing the words to use to describe what I experience or that there are others like me. I've had a very hard time with full-time employment and romantic relationships. Knowing this is a thing with a name is super powerful! I'm ready to learn more and to explore ideas to support myself as a loving friend instead of the inner critic who feels like masking and pushing through is the only safe option to get by. I have experienced significant benefit from Sarah Jackson Coaching's online resource library, which includes sensory skills, somatic healing practices and nervous system education, but now I feel more confident to educate those around me and take my needs seriously. Sending love to all those who are in the same boat
Thanks for sharing! I'm an adult with SPD (mostly noise issues but some other senses to a lesser extent)!
This is life changing. Thank you so much for all the encouragement and info. I am 50 and I just came across this after diving deep into researching my own sensory issues. I have had ADHD all my life but diagnosed in my 30s. Needless to say, having ADHD (for me) has made this more complicated. I’ve been masking both my entire life and after having a meltdown a week ago, did some soul searching on why I could not keep a job. I have continuously berated myself over the fact that I quit so frequently. My family has struggled to understand at best…and at worst called me lazy and selfish, and everything else. I have always thought it was “just” my adhd and a learning disorder that made starting work so difficult (and that would be enough!). The very next day I was in a store and felt like I was going through shell shock. It hit me then that I deal with so much more. Sometimes with adhd I feel like don’t have a body, just a brain. I tune my body and senses out to such a degree that I can’t tell what I am feeling…maybe that is also due to masking, and being under-responsive as well. The other part of the time I am an anxious mess and feeling every sound and even movements…the “busyness” and the energy of an environment can be so overwhelming. The lights. Everything is so unnatural and I also think that we’re sensitive to those environments. I’ve never felt overwhelmed in a forest, but maybe that’s just me. Again…thank you so much. You explained my life better than I ever could. ❤
Thank you for sharing your story with me! I'm so glad my video could help you to feel less alone... as someone who also frequently goes through job crises (and is in one right now) I definitely understand. Best wishes and solidarity to you
@@BlaireM best wishes to you as well! I hope the situation improves for you soon ❤️
Thank you for this. It’s a little less lonely right now
💜
im 26 years old, i have just started doing some research on sensory disorders because i have found myself getting super overloaded mostly by sounds. i get irritated and anxious as well as super jittery. i havent been diagnosed with anything yet, but alot of what im learning seems to match pretty well.
Solidarity to you! Sounds are my biggest triggers as well.
Good luck getting some medical entity to offer you a solid diagnosis.
Great video. I wish there was more on SPD in adults.
exactly!
I'm 38 and I've just heard about SPD about 10 mins ago. I'm like 99.9% sure this is me. Idc how good the food is, if it's in any way mushy, it's a no. Shoes? Hell no! Wrinkly bedding, loud noises, strong smells, bright lights, neon multi-colored anything, crowds- get tf away f me!
Wow, so basically I'm trying to say ty for having the solution to the q of "tf is wrong w me?"
I have no money for therapy/doc visit so I'm just googling until I figure it out myself. So far I've self-diagnosed w SPD and ADHD. I'm not done googling yet!
Thanks again, sorry for the book lol
Thank you for sharing your story! Best of luck to you 💜
You summed up my whole life with this vid
Really how you explain and care you show it really gives some relief listening to you.
Thank you!
I will say I'm not diagnosed but I have experienced all that you said, ngl I'm in tears, I work in a asd classroom and it's made me realize and notice more things that make me suspect that I may have APD.
I recommend the book "When The Brain Can't Hear" by Teri James Bellis for more information on auditory processing disorder
This is amazing, thank you. You are awesome! It’s hard for me to get a diagnosis as it’s assumed it goes with autism. I don’t know how to proceed as SPD isn’t fully recognised on its own in the UK. Thanks again x
im 20 almost 21 and learning this
iv got trisomy 13
autism, adhd, stress, depression, ocd, not even 2 minutes in and i got my back blown out by info left right and center holy shit
58 and feel like I’m going crazy! I can’t cope with public places, or loud places.. I don’t know how to handle it. It’s getting worse the older I get.
I couldn't understand why I've been feeling all my life like a fake introvert, I love being around people, but I get overstimulated easily and then I need lots of time to recharge, I'm just learning about this at almost 40, because becoming a mom dysregulated me so much and I couldn't understand why
I feel this. As I've gotten older I've become more extroverted - I love to have people over to my house but it always tires me out so much. solidarity to you
I have a 2 year old with spd. And I'm doing research every aspect to help him grow and be happy and maintaine a life he's comfortable with. Are you vocal about it? Let ppl around you know your needs ? Or you quite not to draw attention? 🤔 how did you get through school looking back what do you wish you had for help noise canceling headphones more resources ? can your experiences help me help him navigate a world that dosnt quite get him ? And I agree spd is very limited in help which is sad because it can be torture 😢 I see what my man goes through I can't imagine when he's school age.....
I'm so glad you are doing research! Learning as much as you can is one of the best things you can do for him. I used to try as hard as I could to avoid even mentioning that I was hurting, but it got to a point where it was way too painful to let myself suffer any more. Now I am learning to self-advocate, although I wish I had learned sooner in my childhood. I would say the number one thing that would have helped me in school would be to have the adults in my life believe me when I told them I was in pain. I got a lot of "suck it up", "you're fine", "this isn't a big deal" etc. Totally unhelpful and actually made things worse for me. Believe him when he says he is tired or needs a break.
The community of SPDers finding each other is growing all the time - I believe things are looking up for us. I know it is probably so so so hard to watch your child have those painful moments but keep your head up and remember that YOU know your child the best. If you feel like a certain therapy or environment isn't helping him, don't hesitate to find an alternative. Create a safe space for him to feel whatever he feels, and you've done the most important work.
Thank you for this. I needed to see this. It brought me to tears.
I am 22 and I have just started working as a special education instructional aide. I just found I had SPD when I was 19 and have only since then started learning about myself, learning about my symptoms, learning how to self-mitigate, and how to overcome whatever struggle I go through. However, working in special education, I am currently at war with myself and other people in whether or not I should tell my boss I have SPD (as you mentioned: masking). Quite frankly, I can see it going one of two ways: either it'll backfire and my higher ups will be wary of my skills or I'll be celebrated for overcoming. I'm curious. What was your experience in working in special education as an adult with SPD and how did you work with the people around you?
I used to work as an IA - our stories sound very similar! Honestly for me it depended on the person. My co-aide and lead teacher in my classroom were very accepting and great to work with. I told them both pretty early on. The two biggest things for me were wearing earplugs in class sometimes (just as needed) and taking breaks when I needed to. I didn't feel it necessary to disclose to my principal since he didn't work with me directly.
A few people figured it out just based on my behavior. I did get some condescension here and there, but nothing like what the students experienced. It's amazing (in a bad way) how much ableism exists in sped.
Didn’t get my license until I was 25. It’s so hard to explain to people why >
Yes! I wish we had more walkable communities where I live.
I can be a nurse, I just can’t drive to work 😂
18 here for license. I got the license at 16 refused to drive until forced as an adult. Yeeks.
I got mine at 19yrs old thinking I was ready but was constantly anxious about learning to drive and couldn't grasp the concept of steering and only recently I've been ready to do it
@@emilyswalwell3796 It takes practice, but I bet you will get used to it!
I don’t have my driver’s license, saying the word “paper towels” give me chill bumps and I can feel it on my tongue, I can not touch them. I hear noises that no one else can hear. I can not keep a job, not that I don’t wanna work. Loose hair, flashes from phones, mint, coffee, loud pitches and cologne make my anxiety kick and want to curl up and cry. I can barely wear shoes. I have to wear shower flip flops. Strobe lights and fireworks make me super uncomfortable. I only let two people hug me. Being next to cotton takes hours for me to calm down. I can’t swim or ride a bicycle either. Maybe I’m on the spectrum?
I'm not a professional so I can't diagnose you, but I would say it's a likely possibility. Sending solidarity. Some people will never understand how hard it is just to exist, but it can get better.
so melting down trying to buy shampoo could fit in this?
For sure
I'm 20 and just got diagnosed I'm trying to learn more about it but don't know where to start. Any suggestions?
My description has a couple of blogs listed, and a lovely Facebook group if you're on Facebook. If you're more of the reading type, I'd recommend the book The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up by Carol Kranowitz! Some good IG accounts I follow with lots of information are: @21andsensory and @theautisticlife, sometimes the subreddit r/SPD has good info too. (You can view those pages on your web browser if you don't have an IG or Reddit account!)
I hope this is helpful!
Hey Blaire.... What are some signs that you are getting SPD overloaded or you are heading toward SPD burnout? Especially for someone who does not yet know much about SPD (other than their childhood issues of clothing labels, specific types of light, too much environmental talking) THAT that kind of thing? Also what kind of things in a person's day can be SPD related and overwhelming? For example would it be fluorescent lights plus if you are a visual learner listening to profs and University with auditory teaching all day plus how do dorm roommates affect things if you still have your own private bedroom to retreat to? What about cognitive...is THST SPD or HFA related? How can an O.T. help a university attending YA? That kind of thing😃
Love all the questions! Some of them I don’t know the answers to but here goes… I notice when I am heading toward burnout that I’m often tired, but sleep doesn’t feel restful. The biggest thing is irritability and lack of interest. It can present like depression in my experience.
Any form of sensory input can be perceived as overwhelming! Each person with SPD can be different. There’s usually no one solution to sensory overload so it’s best to ask the person in question what they need.
As for SPD in college maybe I should actually just make a whole video about that… college was a handful for me, lol.
Appreciate the comment!
Im 66 and i have NEVER experienced any amount of getting "used to" any envirement that gives me sensory overload i didnt know i had it until my 50's . I just felt like a freak and i was constantly bracing myself against just "being". The hardest part is....other people do not get it. They think you are neurotic. My doctor said its a psychological disorder . You said it was a neurological disorder! Interesting!
Yes - it has to do with the way our brains and bodies communicate with each other!
10. Can't ride a bicycle
11 can't tie shoes
12 can't stand the feeling of sandles
I'm 26 with a tbi and I didn't realize how deep this has effected me
I am fifty years and I am now starting to understand this. I have been masking for years trying to force my way through it. This video is very relatable and I want to say thank you for sharing. Tired and looking for some assistance with this. Any suggestions or advise would be welcome. It took me longer to get my life in order so to say. Just started a new job in an open environment and it is harder than I thought it would be.
I would say the first step would be observation. What exactly triggers you and what makes you feel better? When I was first starting out I wrote down my triggers on a piece of paper and then on the other side wrote what helped me calm down (earplugs, taking a break, etc.) Taking lots of field notes helped me figure myself out first, and then I could articulate to other people what I needed and why.
Best of luck to you!
I've been diagnosed with panic disorder but ive found all the treatments dont work so im looking into this. Im definitely a still at 29
I have no friends, i live with my parents, im depressed and scared all the time and im pretty good with people, but i leave or they leave very fast because im so unstable. The lonliness is driving me to..bad things.
If i had one friend, a true friend irl who cared i may be able to live longer but idk its not gonna happen after 7 years.
I'm so sick of the pain and everything feels deterministic I have nobody and nothing except for the things people tell me to be grateful for like food and clothes on my back but my entire social life is completely empty I feel it's my right after trying so long to make the decision whether or not I want to keep living. I studied psychology, philosophy and computer stuff (coding) on my own and certifications mean nothing to an employer but that's whatever I just lost out on seven years of human experience at least because of my inability to move past anything despite having seen multiple therapists in been on all this medicine 99% that wasn't even needed I don't want a friendship that's on Facebook Messenger or text I want people to call I want people to meet in person and just be able to give a hug to but that's not going to happen even if I say it will or have faith it's pointless at this point I feel like my best hope is just maybe becoming a polymath type scholar shut-in and just be miserable and die early like Franz Kafka I don't know why I'm posting this comment I'm just going to sleep wake up and it's all going to be happening over and over again and nobody's ever going to be there so I just have to figure out a way to somehow get a minimum required amount of social interaction day by day and maybe just work on Hobbies and if I end up leaving the planet early that's the way it's got to be and having everything gone when my brain loses oxygen and that little bit of electricity goes out and zero perception exists is the closest thing that I can ever find resembling peace the best thing I can do is sleep I do lift a ton of Weights by myself I do read and write and I watch a lot of TH-cam but yeah my life is empty and there's nothing I can really do about it I'm hoping somebody comes along but if not I guess I just have to decide what I want to do about this most likely I'm going to wait it out until the end of my life and hopefully I won't die in a scary way but I'll be aware that I'll finally be at peace and the irony is when you're at peace you won't even know it but I guess I think that's sufficient for me thanks for explaining all this stuff if I find a way out that would be cool but I don't see it and you're doing good work I hope you never have to suffer nearly a decade of complete loneliness I hope nobody has to suffer I'm just rambling now take care of yourself guys most people do make it eventually I just happened to be one of the ones who probably won't peace out
Solidarity to you. It’s possible for things to get better 💜
@@BlaireM of course and thanks.
Just found out i have .Bless u
So my son has had anxiety and went to see a therapist and using CBT all symptoms are gone, so i guess if you have anxiety, it never really goes away but it’s pretty much I would say not existent he is excelling in school. He does everything that normal boys do he’s 18 years old. He has a great life he’s in college however, there is one issue that is not going away, and before the anxiety, panic attack he always had a sensation that bothered him, but thought it was normal. However, after the anxiety attack, I see him complaining about it and it’s bothering him. It’s affecting his life so this problem is only with his shirts he cannot have rough texture, church, touching his chest or he doesn’t even like the shirt to be on his chest on his skin, but it’s weird because it’s only in that area. I am not finding any solution except for this sensory disorder that you are talking about but now I’m doubting myself because I see in the comments people have a lot of other issues that I don’t feel my son has but what the heck is this feeling of his shirt not being able to touch his chest he keeps pulling the shirts away from his chest with his mouth when he’s sitting, he doesn’t like to close the zippers on his jackets he doesn’t like wearing heavy coats? Can you please help me? I am looking everywhere. I stay up all night searching I’m exhausted. It’s taking up my whole life this search because I’m heartbroken for my son I want him to be happy and this is inhibiting his full potential to be happy.
I would recommend talking to a medical professional about this! Sometimes sensory issues are caused directly by SPD, but they can be a symptom of something else going on neurologically. Best of luck in your journey. I know how hard it is to see someone you love hurting.
Thanks! I needed this!
Thank You
Hi... thank you for your videos and for sharing your experiences. I wonder if you could share some of the ways you take care of yourself while working at a school? I also work at a primary school, and I don't know for sure if i meet the criteria for SPD, but i do know that I am very sensitive to sounds, neon lights, chaotic energy, and... lots of things found in a school environment! I find some days i can make it through ok, but sometimes i reach a threshold, and it can take a lot out of me.
i guess i know some things that help me, but would love to hear yours!
Thanks
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll add it to my list 💜
Did you get a diagnosis? I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD last year age 38 and am sure I have sensory and auditory processing disorder but don't know if or where I could go to get diagnosed or if I need to! I would also like to be assessed for Dyscalcular. Also I'm in the UK and have no money for assessments.
I don't live in the UK so I'm not sure what the process is there! The decision to pursue a diagnosis is up to you. In America we have the Americans with Disabilities act which entitles people to certain accommodations based on a known and documented disability, so a lot of times people in America will want that in order to receive accommodations at work or school. However, some people choose not to pursue any formal diagnosis. Each person has their reasons and it's a very personal decision. I went to a neuropsychiatrist for my diagnoses so maybe a doctor within that discipline could evaluate you for SPD/APD. I hope this helps!
@@BlaireM Thank you thats really helpful as now i know who specialises in it (neuropsychiatrist). I will speak to my doctor about it as they have to refer me to any specialists under the NHS as I can't afford to pay as dont work. Thanks again xx
@@deesparklebazinga9374 No problem! I hope you can find solutions that work for you :)
Ime in UK 43 sure I have Asperger's SPD from birth hypomobility fybromyalgia CFS took this long mum has it to severe ms and sure my father does without my loving family a wouldn't be here today pain is the problem for me now
I feel exactly like that
Im 33 years old, and I'm just figuring out there is an actual condition for what I've experienced my whole life.
Severely dyslexic can't drive do forms work electronics. An artist but don't measure or calculate. At 70 now also vision impaired 0 help on my own totally trying manage Medicare & Other gave up managing bank account I rarely get to store's can't set up on line shopping accounts need assistance in all of these no matter how hard I try to make it work. 😢I try to focus on one thing. It like my brain splits 5-7 ways.
💜 solidarity and best wishes to you
I'm pretty sure I have spd and it is hard cuz No one understands and probably thinks I'm a wimp or snobbish.
37 just figuring out what SPD is.... I'm not weird I have SPD 😁
Yes!
Holy shit 😮
Bruh but imagine knowing you had SPD for half your life but never taking it seriously (because no one else did) until having nearly daily meltdowns at work and stumbling upon a random YT video
like there NEEDS to be more awareness about this. This is appalling.
I agree!
This is me. Someone please be nice to me.
Lost my family and life due to spd..dont make enough money due to this which i lost custody of my son and my ex just because i battle with this