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I think I'm getting sensory overwhelm more often

TheCatWoman

I don't know if its an age thing or what, but I'm becoming much more sensitive to noise over the last few months. I wonder if it's because the weather has been better and people are out and about more, but it's really getting to me.

The other thing I'm getting more sensitive too is smell, I walked past a fish and chop shop earlier and was almost sick at the smell of hot oil and vinegar that came out at me. The other day I had to leave a shop because somebody had really strong perfume or aftershave on, it made my breathe catch in my throat.

How do you cope? I can't wear headphones as it triggers my PTSD.

  • in reply to Bluelyn

    I'm way past menopause, so it's not that.

    This was the first time I'd smelled anything so strong in ages.

    I think playing birdsong and stuff would just irritate me more to be honest. Its when I'm out that it's at its worst, even in the garden there's kids screaming and competing music.

    I too want to mpve somewhere more rural again

  • This has been my experience also 

    I started HRT to see if helps and I've been listening to music by a program called the listening program, recommended to me by an occupational therapist I had an assessment with, I also play brown noise (only one I can toralate, was recommended to try white noise, but that was to much) and I also play waves and birds and also starting to play audio books to help distract me from the overwhelm I've been feeling with regards to noise 

    Ot said if I can control the noise this can help, but I'm reacting to noise I can't control, I'm trying so hard not to wear the headphones all day, but I do give in, especially when there is compound noise 

    I honestly want to move somewhere remote and peaceful to get away from the noise 

  • I have become even more sensitive to noise, smell and textures recently, but presumed it was due to my current high stress level. 

    Regarding noise level I go out at quieter times where possible. The worst noises at the moment are lots of people having landscaping in gardens, drives put in etc. I keep changing routes to try to avoid them and when at home and I notice noise I try to put on music that covers background noise.

    Regarding smells, that is a difficult one. If only people with strong perfume could sense it like us and vapes are similar. I try to avoid shops.

  • I’ve noticed recently that it’s harder to cope with smells and noise. I wonder if I’m generally becoming more intolerant to other people’s behavioural habits because I’m older or if it affects mainly autistic people who have had sensory sensitivities for years. 

    Most of the time I can avoid noise and smells as I dislike shopping. I shop mostly online. Most of the other places I go to are tolerable to a degree. If it gets noisy I can use my noise cancelling AirPods. If smells are too intense I just have to escape.

    TheCatWoman said:
    The other day I had to leave a shop because somebody had really strong perfume or aftershave on, it made my breathe catch in my throat

    I’m wondering if people are wearing more intense perfumes than they used to because I had a similar experience a week ago. In fact, my clothes were smelling of the perfume when I got back home yet I hadn’t made contact with the person or anyone else.