As an autistic/ adhd woman it’s so cool to hear one of my fav CZcamsrs talking about something I would have never excepted from this channel. I‘m intrigued 😍
I don't have a diagnosis, but relate heavily to the AuDHD community. Not many other people understand sensory overload. I have a toe walking problem caused by sensory aversion that has lead to pain in my hip, knee and foot. My PT asked me to explain to him what it is like to have sensory processing challenges. I couldn't explain it at the time.
I am autistic and sighted, and I found it fascinating how many parallels there are between certain Blind and autistic sensory experiences. You talked before about "masking" and blindness in a previous video, which is another similarity. I have heard from Deaf people as well that they are more sensitive to sensory overload, but also engage more in stimming behaviors than hearing people tend to. I think it's so important to talk about these struggles, because it allows different people to relate to one another more. As for coping strategies (this is purely from my singular experience as an autistic person), I have recently started wearing noise-reducing earbuds and sunglasses more when I am going into an overstimulating environment. I think that all of your advice for managing sensory overload is excellent! It's really hard to start honoring your sensory needs when you've been taught your whole life to hide and suppress them, but it is so important and so healing. I think that we need to normalize the use of objects that make our sensory experiences easier (e.g. headphones/earbuds, sunglasses, stim toys, etc.) Thank you for sharing your experience! I think you described sensory overload so well, too!
I'm going to have to pause and comment. As an Autistic woman I really appreciate you talking about how disabling it feels when sensory overload hits. Because a lot of people don't think Autism is a disability and it very much is. I miss out on so much of life because places are too overstimulating. Even using my coping mechanisms only goes so far. So thank you for talking about this. Okay, back to the video.
Molly Burke, I am neurodivergent myself. I constantly deal with being overstimulated I am overloaded with a lot. Touch, smells, sounds, food textures, fabric textures, and etc..my list is too huge to list here. I get this daily and nightly. I am always tense and stressed out. I hardly leave the house because of my strong agoraphobia... Thank you for making this video and ending the stigmas. This is the right step in the right direction.
This video is very validating for someone like me who lives with anxiety and ptsd🥹 especially when you’re explaining how it makes you physically feel 😩
Overstimulation tip for traveling: visit a Korean spa to recover from overstimulation! one of my worst triggers is being out in public for too long, especially if I'm tired. It's bad when my flight arrives early in the morning and my hotel is not ready for hours. I've learned it's helpful to go someplace quiet and allow myself to shut my eyes and do nothing. Library or a quiet coffee shop. My favorite though, is a Korean spa. They give you a "spa uniform" and there are saunas, large couches for relaxing, mats to lie down on, and hot tubs. It's the ultimate "public place" where I can actually recover from sensory overwhelm.
This was interesting. I am a late deafened adult. I didn’t think I ever experienced sensory overload but what you’re describing sounds very similar to what I experienced when I first lost my hearing. I was going to graduate level classes three times a week at that time and starting to use sign language interpreters. During every break of class (they lasted several hours) I needed to find someplace to lay down. I would check every door and classroom until I found one that was unlocked. I laid down for the 15 minute break and could then tolerate the class and interpreters again. I remember having to find somewhere to rest at my brother’s wedding reception. It was held in Ottawa in the Parliament building. There were guards there so I couldn’t try to check for unlocked rooms! I ended up sitting in a deep doorway for about a half hour.
“Tolerate” resonates so strongly!! Rest breaks don’t necessarily make me feel better (sighted, hearing, brain injured, chronic migraine) but allow me to continue tolerating and semi-functioning. Thanks for sharing.
You are my safe place Molly. Thank you. Even though our disabilities are different, we have so much in common. I didn't realize there was a phrase to describe what I'm feeling. Now I know it's called Sensory Overload.
I can't say enough good things about Loop brand earplugs either. I also have teeny tiny child sized ear canals but the smallest size tips Loop comes with work for me I have three pairs of Loops. The full Quiet which dampens the most noise - I have one for sleeping I keep next to my bed and another I keep in my purse. And I also have a pair of Experience which has a small hole to let in a little more noise. But even with the Quiet I can usually hear my friends speaking clearly when we are in a loud restaurant or bar
I was just looking to see if anyone had mentioned Loops! I have a set of Loop Experiences (and the mutes you can get for them) as well as a set of Flares, and personally the Loops work way better for me. The Flares don't necessarily block sound, they dampen it, and if I'm overwhelmed they just don't quite cut the noise enough to help me. (edit: Although, that said, I tend to carry my over-ear noise canceling headphones and use those far more than my Loops, which I mostly use if I'm trying to be discreet or am going to have to talk to a group.)
As a fellow disabled person with more than 1 disabilities . I was born this way and then 10 years ago another one came along . All I have to say is THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO ❤.
Thank you for your vulnerability. I agree the world would be a much better place if we could all be so vulnerable. My sister who is high on the autistic spectrum has described similar emotions when she is experiencing sensory overload (which happens almost daily in public spaces)
Thank you for talking about this Molly 💜 I’ve felt so alone in my vision loss/visual impairment and my anxiety. I relate to the internalized ableism and how overwhelming travel can be. Realizing how much I have to rely on others so much lately has been difficult for me to adjust to. I got overwhelmed in the grocery story yesterday simply because it was busy, nothing was in the same place, and I was exhausted. Calling a friend, plugging my ears, going to a quiet space when possible, putting my headphones on with music i love, and doing grounding exercises helps me.
Comfy clothes are such a huge stress reliever in general, my therapist constantly recommends me getting in cozy clothes and laying down somewhere warm when I'm anxious, it's an underappreciated and free way to instantly feel better.
I am a 61 year old woman who has dealt with hearing loss in one ear and my other ear is beginning to have issues....I asked my life companion how would we communicate to each other if I lost my hearing and we decided sign language classes and patience in life with laughter.....
This is so validating for me. I lost my vision at 11 and been dealing with sensory issues ever since. I am 21 now and this has been the first time I have felt understood. It is so hard to explain to people who do not live through it. Thank you Molly. 💖
What helps me is: headphone + noise control, sunglasses, weighted blanket, sometimes with sometimes without extra heated blanket. Usually listening to something comforting on the headphones. Most likely Harry Potter or something I’ve written myself and know well 🥰
Thank you for making this video to inform others on sensory overload! I’m autistic and I get overstimulated. Especially with ptsd. I start getting overwhelmed when something triggers me and I think about the past.
During the pandemic, as an autistic person, my meltdowns were almost daily. Sometimes I could not move past an intrusive thought and hence, meltdown. I do get embarrassed, but usually I am too busy trying to calm down. Now that life is more or less normal, sensory overload is way better.
My daughter was told that when she’s overstimulated it’s like dial-up vs. Wi-Fi, like the whole internet is out there but she’s going to process slower at times. She ended up carrying foam earplugs in her school bag for easy access, very helpful during testing or sometimes at lunch.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with sensory overload! I have autism, and I have to explain myself all the time to people that don´t know what sensory overload is and what it looks like. I think this will help spread awareness. Thank you!
Oh. My. Gosh I love that you are talking about this!! I have a sensory processing disorder and anxiety. I've never related to anyone more. This is one of those videos I'm sharing with my friends.
Molly... I'm currently writing a fantasy novel where one of my characters becomes blind due to events in the story. This and other videos of yours are INCREDIBLY helpful for me to understand what it would truly be like to have to deal with this kind of a thing on a day to day basis so that I can *hopefully* capture the true essence of that as I develop this character. I appreciate your vulnerability and I wish you and others struggling with disabilities all the best. Hopefully my novel will do your struggle justice. And who knows... maybe it will even be another form of inspiration for many with disabilities.
I can relate. I have ADHD, APD, & PTSD. Sensory overload, anxiety, panic attacks, disassociation, & shutdown….. are unfortunately part of my disability & life. That’s why I’m grateful for my service dog, family, friends, and support group of people that experience same and/or similar struggles. ❤
I appreciate how you described sensory overload. I deal with this a ton and your explanation seems like a better way to describe it to people who don't understand. Thank you! The thing that works the best for me is getting away from the environment for 10-15 minutes. If i cant do that i hold my service dog against me with my head against his chest so that i hear his heartbeat, smell him, feel him. It really helps ground me out. It also helps for me when the people i am with know what is going on so they don't engage with me if possible. I just need a quiet puppy cuddle for a bit. If none of that works i take my anxiety meds.
I love that your bed can be your comfort zone. It's an anxiety space for me :/ I spent many nights in the bathroom to feel safe. Guys in my past were horrible.
I recently had a similar restaurant experience and was so agitated and couldn't concentrate on anything my friend was saying. Once I realized it was sensory overload I asked if we could move outside and I *instantly* felt better ❤ I also have a fidget on my car key instead of a keychain, so I always have it with me 😊
I was just thinking about this the other day. Thank you for sharing! Also, I know it's not your typical content, but I really love when you nerd out about the history of braille and the history of adaptions in the blind community. I learned so much from that video.
thank you for this video, molly. due to some mental health issues, i often deal with sensory overload of varying degrees when out in busy or unfamiliar places, and i've struggled putting what is happening to me into words beyond 'everything is just too much'. your description has helped me sort through my own experiences with it, and hopefully given me the language to help my loved ones understand what's up. and yes, i did have a little cry over the whole 'o god someone get's it'-thing. much love
Thank you for sharing, Molly! I have ADHD and a lot of sensory issues. Also, since I got a concussion in 2017 and have been dealing with post concussion issues and illnesses since then my ADHD symptoms and sensory issues have gotten a lot worse. Of course, when I have a migraine I will have bad sensory issues, too. But it's really interesting to hear about sensory issues from your perspective, and I really appreciate that. My sensory issues fluctuate, but a lot of them are constant. When you said you can't wear high collared shirts when you're feeling sensory overload really stood out to me. Because for you it's only sometimes, but I can't ever wear crew neck shirts or any other high collared shirts or sweaters. And somehow I never connected that to sensory issues even though it seems obvious to me now. Amazing! Even necklaces that are too short and sit up high too close to my neck in the front are a no go for me I've been wanting to get fidget rings for ages and haven't pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I'll ask for some for Christmas this year so I can finally get some!
Fellow ADHDer here, I also can't stand crew necks. They make me feel like I'm being choked. And don't get me started on turtle necks 🤢. There was a time when chokers were all the rage. I remember going shopping with my mom and buying several. This was before my dx, so I couldn't for the life of me explain why I was suddenly getting headaches and being an irritable jerk (for lack of a better word). But I finally made the connection and was so sad I couldn't wear them. So yeah, sensory issues suck. I've got more, and it's hard when you're being triggered by something you can't just remove like jewelry. 😭 Anyway, I hope you're able to get some figet rings. 😊
Okay so I experienced this for the first time less than a month ago. I’m legally blind, and near end of October, we went on a music trip to our local high school (I’m 13 and in elementary school, just for context) and we were in a very packed space with so much noise, and I have this thing where I can sense things/people around me, sort of like a sixth sense, and I suddenly just got super anxious and long story short, since that was the first time I had experienced it, I lost control and was just crying that whole day. Worst part was I was actually looking forward to that day for A FULL MONTH. Same thing happened on less that 2 weeks ago for our Gr8 transitions day. Tried to not break down, but I did. My mom got me earbuds for the second trip. Not noise-cancelling or anything, just earbuds. It helped while in the cafeteria, but it was still way too munch noise. It sucks, guys. This is new to me, so I don’t know how to cope with it yet or what might trigger me in future, but I just want to thank you for making this video. I haven’t finished it, but it’s been very helpful so far.
I hear you. I was you a while back and did not know what was going on. Just keep pushing through. What helps me is knowing that eventually the attack will stop.
I think the noise canceling and fidegting has helped me a lot in stressfull situations. I have been wearing noise canceling headphones for about 15 years now without realising why exactly i wanted to get my first pair as i was 17. I have been wearing them everywhere, often without music... And fidget Jewelry for adults is something that you inspired me to make! my first fidget pendant was a bee with a lot of different textures to feel 🐝🐝🐝
Molly you help me do much getting through the darkest point in my life. I can relate so much to what you went through as a teenager regarding schools and mental health struggles. Watching you is truly what helps me to keep holding on because I know I am not alone, and people do come out on the other side of this to lead beautiful lives and make a big difference in the world. I love you Molly🩷🩷🩷
❤Thank you thank you for sharing Molly. I’m dealing with sensory overload frequently. My reactions are very similar to yours. I am sighted. I deal with severe chronic pain and fatigue (and more health issues) and am unable to work anymore. I have very similar responses and coping mechanisms to yours. Even the Bose earbuds! But I also keep an eye mask, regular earplugs, and a “break-and-use” ice pack in my bag, just in case. I used to always have a fidget toy with me. Thank you for reminding me that it’s perfectly ok for an adult to use those tools.
I don't have a disability but do have CFS and I can definitely relate to your experience especially when I'm extra fatigued. Thanks for being so vulnerable and talking about it publicly ❤
I believe CFS could count as a disability if you wish to define it as such. Speaking as someone who has one, even invisible disabilities and illnesses can count. I don't have CFS (as far as I'm aware), but I frequently deal with fatigue/exhaustion because of my disabilities. No pressure to identify as anything you don't want to, but it's my opinion that you could say you have a disability if you wanted to ❤
Thank you for sharing these things with us. so many people don't understand what it's like living with blindness and how hard life is at times. i've been totally blind since birth but I still get overwhelmed and overloaded quite a lot. I get told to chill out and relax but I know it's because people either don't understand because of ignorance, or they have their own disability issues which prevents them from understanding mine. Life happens and we can all work through this together.
Something I find helpful sometimes is stuffed animals, specifically ones that are either really squishy or that have multiple textures. Big squishy ones are calming to hug and different textured ones are calming to run your hands along and feel the differences. Also taking off my glasses can help because I can't see without them and everything being blurry makes things feel less harsh for me. That and I like to go in small rooms like my bathroom at home and close the door, because smaller spaces like home bathrooms tend to be more plain and simple so they feel less overwhelming, and closing the door and being entirely alone helps me relax.
Thanks for this video! I started experiencing sensory overload after a brain injury and I really related when you said you're crawling out of your skin and want to be in a shell. Even the smallest stimulation makes me feel like I'm freaking out. It took me a long time to accept and figure out how to tell people that I'm not myself when it's happening and I need some shut down time.
One of my favorite items for sensory overload are those cooling migraine headbands. They can be pulled over the eyes and they'll also block the ears. Or you can wear them up around the forehead. The cooling pressure feels so nice and grounding. I find items made for migraines often work well for sensory overload since they have common symptoms. I hope this helps someone!
I think you've mentioned occupational therapy a few times when talking about school. I'm a school-based occupational therapy assistant, so I'd love to hear about your OT experience!
I have autism and fibromyalgia and have huge sensory issues, so I relate to this so hard. Thank you for sharing your experience Molly. Love your videos, much love ❤
Molly - Thank you for showing Brooklinen, because of you I ended up getting the Spa towels and also a set as a wedding gift for my sister. The towels are amazing and I love you videos and that anything you recommend is amazing too
Really helpful to know what it feels like for you. I don’t have the computer shut down experience, but I sometimes have heightened sensitivity to sensory input and recognise the need to change something, so I guess my computer glitches or runs slow. I have learnt that I also don’t care what I look like if a non offensive action will help me cope better. I’ve sat with my fingers in my ears so I can focus better then I’m in training courses or playing games with friends. I like that you help me to recognise that my non-disabled self still has needs that might be different to others around me and it’s ok to do different things to make those needs met.
I have adhd and dysgraphia and the sensory overload is so difficult! I usually sing to myself to distract myself and have something to focus on. Closed eyes, singing a song from a childhood movie usually helps me focus on myself rather than all the stuff I’m overwhelmed by. Bright lights are the worst for me, so I’m always trying to use lamps and avoid overhead lighting. And I am picky about clothing bc touch overload tends to be my tipping sense. I love cuddles but not when too much is going on. Love the video and it’s nice to not feel alone in this. ❤️
I’m an introvert so I’ve always had to get to a quiet space when I’ve been in a noisy p,ace.But as I lose more vision I have had panic attacks and can relate to feeling like an idiot and shutting down. When I’m traveling in a car during the day and I can see cars zipping past us I get so stressed and have to look down at my lap or close my eyes the entire trip. I don’t have as bad of a reaction traveling at night because I only see some lights. I feel much calmer. Thanks for sharing so I know I’m not the only one.
❤ thank you for this video. Until I watch this I did not realize what I was experiencing was sensory overload. IQ and blind but only very recently blind thank you for doing what you are doing❤
Excellent analogy/description of sensory overload!! I will be quoting you in the future when I try to describe it; but for sighted, chronic migraine, brain injured me - the fire alarms are also going off and it feels like the ground is moving. Also - 100% agree - more shared vulnerability and acceptance will improve vibrations and experience of all humans in the world. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. Love you and what you do!
Actually getting myself out of sensory overload with my methods and listening to this video for distraction. It helps to forget the „wanting to crawl out of my skin“ feeling
This was so relateable in so many ways. Sensory overload for me has always been related to my CPTSD. I'm not a social person anyways but depend on caregivers throughout the day for various very personal things because of my disability. I don't find the overload itself bothers me as much as the reality that what causes it is having to depend and be involved with people is what does. I can manage the experience of the overload independently in many of the same ways you do. But if I'm someplace public and either need to ask for help/get all sorts of weird interactions or questions relating to my disability it definitely triggers it for me. Anything that really triggers my anxiety can set it off but my anxiety can also cause it if that makes sense. It's opposite to you in the sense that I don't feel like it takes away from experiences but it's experiences/interactions that cause it or the way people respond to it when they see it.
Fidget rings are amazing! I have a pride rainbow ring on my left thumb that's a slightly larger ring in a track on a base ring, so the whole ring spins with a very smooth glide.
Thanks for sharing. I am also blind from a retina condition and completely share these experiences. Sometimes I feel like everything is a metal pot on my head being banged on. So noisy. I often go to the bathroom too, just to escape. I agree about the smells too. That can add a very oppressive feeling to it.
As soon I saw the title of the video I immediately pressed on it as a person with ADHD and anxiety it can be really tough because nobody understands the words of I Do Not Want To Be Talked To, Or Touched Or Hear Loud Noises, Or Smell Certain Smells and when experiencing overloads I even hate the feeling of my own skin and clothes. and which can lead into me have shutdowns and it's so difficult when people aren't educated on these type of things. So Thank You So Much For Speaking Out About This
I’m have epilepsy, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ptsd and these videos help so much to understand triggers and how to deal with them. Thank you molly, you’re adorable and so strong 💕
ADHD-er here and you explained my experience with sensory overload to a T! Thank you for some of these suggestions. I'm on the search for new noise canceling headphones/earbuds because I lost my old ones.
Hi Molly, appreciate you sharing your experiences. I think I might be neurodivergent and feel overwhelmed when too many things happen at once which I process overload differently than others. Thank you for your kindness 🥰
I was just thinking about this today as i was standing on the bus stop on a busy road, because as an autistic person i find that bright lights give me anxiety. And having so many cars and buses pass by at night, especially when it has been raining and the lights reflect on the road is certainly overwhelming. I keep reminding myself that it's nothing and it will pass and try to calm myself but what makes it more difficult is that i also focus on how i look like to other people with my eyes squinting and if i have a stressed out face haha!
You are stunning molly you are such a genuine honest person molly iam autistic and i struggle with bright lighting you are a real life superhero you're abilities are bigger than you're disabilities you're abilities make you who you are you are someone i really look up too i always wish the best for you you are a beautiful person inside and out
I have a lot triggers. But one of which i know you love, christmas lights. I have visual snow and astigmatism so lights in my eyes are almost 4-5 times larger at night than they really are. So it completely disrupts my ability to see the sidewalk if im walking. Or the street if im a passanger in a car. And thats whrn i get overwhelmed. Ive always had an issue with sounds when im trying to wind down in my home. Ive never lived alone but i will stay up extra late to be alone before bed because talking, tapping, ice in a glass cup, etc will overwhelm me. Fast. Short, loud noises bother me. Fire works, a scared yelp will set it off, beeping. Its so sudden that my brain doesnt have the time to process how loud it really was and my brain also will replay the noise in my head really loud. And my ears feel like the best way to discribe it is a slap to my ear. The best ways for me to process is just getting up and going to the bathroom. They are usually insuillated and i can turn off the lights. Your bed is your safe place. Mine is the bathroom. I do carry jelly ear plugs (not foam) that can mold over my ears and noise canceling head phones (sound Q20 $75 way better than my $200 samsungs) i used to use gum to chew on because it gives me something to focus on like the taste, and a stim by chewing which is not disruptive. However gum no longer does it for me since i cant stand the taste of hubbabubba any more and other gums just arent thick enough. And i know this is really gross but i pop my neck it gives me a tention relief and reminds me to stretch. When you are in a sensory overload your body is tensing which is giving you more stimmulus. So streching helps. If all of that fails i just go to sleep. Take a benadryl and close my eyes.
I LOOOOVE fidget rings!! As someone with autism and ADHD, I struggle with trichotillomania (so maybe I also have OCD?), and I've always picked at my skin, eyelashes, eyebrows, itchy spots, bug bites, etc when I'm not doing anything with my hands. I have fidgets everywhere now, and it's really helpful for the office environment I work at when there are long meetings! I can just have my fidget ring with my so I don't tear at my cuticles during the meeting. I'm getting a custom wedding ring made that's going to have several different moving elements on it, and I couldn't be more excited 🥹 side note, as someone who picks out eyebrow and eyelash hairs and used to hide behind makeup, getting my eyebrows microbladed was literally the best purchase I've ever made in my entire life. I feel comfortable in my own skin while swimming, leaning my face against something, etc. It's truly been freeing exploring all the accommodations out there in the world for someone like me.
Neurodivergent here…. Noise canceling headphones (or music) and a weighted blanket at home. Ssri for anxiety changed my life. Also little things like making sure my clothing and socks are comfortable. making sure I have what I need (loop earplugs hard candy etc). Fidget toys are not for me but I understand why they work for people.
THANKS Molly! Like this I have manny times, and since I also outover the blindness, have hearloss even with my hearingapparats. The Restaurante description, a perfekt way to explaine it! You know,the earprotecters cover the ears in industry with loud noice.. They are my "safe space" to let the brain rest . HUGS! Heelsegh,GoabdesBïárnu,SÁPMI.
Thank you, THANK YOU, Molly. As someone who struggles with sensory overload along with a lot of other issues, this really helped me feel not so alone. To hear this from such a successful CZcamsr like yourself is so wonderful and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story, I know this will help and has helped many more people than just myself, and for that we are all extremely grateful❤❤
Thank you so much Molly! You have been such a huge part of me accepting my disabilities and your openness has helped me to be vulnerable in order to get the help I need. I have Functional Neurological Disorder which has affected my balance and vision, plus ADHD, so sensory overload is something I deal with constantly and I have to manage all the time. Hearing you talk about our shared experience has helped me feel so much less alone, thank you so much again
ADHD person with sensory processing disorder here, and all I can say is PREACH it girl. I get really, really irritable when it’s all too much. It’s like slowly worse, slowly worse, BANG “oh my god everyone shut up and leave me alone”. I’ve had to learn how to be aware of it creeping up on me. I like to be in the dark a lot. I tend to hide under a blanket on the couch and create my own little safety cocoon.
This was so interesting. Thank you so much for sharing! I had honestly never really thought much about this. However, if you had asked me I would have guessed that a blind person would have been less likely to experience sensory overwhelm as they have less information coming in from one of the senses. It is so interesting to hear that this isn't the case. Thank you so much for educating me. I really appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing! Super helpful, both because I can relate and because I can't. I feel less alone and empowered to help those around me feel less alone.
As an autistic person who is often perceived as "high functioning", I struggle with feeling like I can't acknowledge that I am disabled. I've only ever used the term disabled to describe myself in front of a few people, who have either outright said I'm not, or I could tell by their face or how they responded that they didn't really think I was but didn't want to say anything. And they all knew about my autism. That being said, hearing a person with a more recognised disability say that they feel more disabled when experiencing something that I frequently experience is oddly validating. I really appreciate this video for that reason.
I have ADHD and anxiety disorder, and experience sensory overload as well, especially in times of stress. The noise-cancelling earbuds (mine are airpods pro) are game-changing for me. I use tiktok as a distractor too, when all my tabs are glitching it helps to have one input to concentrate on and let my tabs reboot in the background. but one symptom of ADHD is difficulty in task-transition so I do get stuck in tiktok loops and have to force myself to close it when I’m ready, lol. Sometimes it’s a youtube video or an episode of a show, something that can keep my thoughts and my attention. The most invaluable thing for me is having an understanding partner who gets it when I need to disengage for a little bit.
I'll try to keep this concise: For me, as a (probably/self-diagnosed, so far) autistic woman, what you described as sensory overload would be my meltdown or shutdown; and I call the process of getting overstimulated and overwhelmed leading up to it sensory overload. Depending on the point at which I realize I'm in overload I'm still able to do/prevent/say/accommodate, or not. I'd probably define it as the state in which your brain is overwhelmed by the sensory input (be that vision, hearing, physical feeling, emotions, taste and smell, or motion...). My primary issue is with sound. I need my ANC (active noise cancelling) headphones or everything will definitely be too much; even with them I'll hear all conversation within a certain radius. I use the over ear ones as I can't put things in my ear. Sunglasses can be helpful. There have been times I'd eat veggie rice completely unseasoned, not even salt, for days, to minimize further input - and also stick to few and safe vegetables in that. Comfortable clothing is a big one, yes! Currently working on improving that one! 😊 Furthermore a break under my weighted blanket can work wonders (to decrease stress or get me to sleep, so the nap can work it's charm 😉); and I love stimming, f.ex. rocking chair, twirling, dancing, hand flapping, singing ("output blocks input" 😅 and humming in loud public places often goes unnoticed). . .
I looooove the Apple AirPods for noise cancellation. They just added "adaptive noise cancellation" so it adapts to your environment, automatically dampening loud sounds but helping you hear people in front of you. It's super helpful for me, I wear them while delivering for DoorDash. It also makes car rides much quieter. It's just the best because I no longer have to constantly switch between "transparency" which makes everything too loud, and "noise cancellation" which sometimes is too quiet.
Wow thanks for talking about this! I always just thought that the urge to go curl into a ball and or claw my own skin off in crowds or particularly noisy situations was a me problem. I knew there were some parts of it that were probably linked to my lack of vision, but I always thought it had more to do with me being introverted than anything. it's nice to know that I'm not the only blind person that has this kind of trouble sometimes.
Thank you so so much for talking about this. My vision loss has been in the last couple years. I totally experience sensory overload. My first horrible experience was going to a movie theater. Never again. I struggle in crowded dining rooms as well. A year or so ago I took a trip to visit my mom. I experienced total overload in her well-kept tiny home. I woke up early the next morning and made myself go around every corner of her living room and dining room, and feel things. That really helped. Because then my brain was oriented to where I was, and it was no longer struggling to process all the pictures, furniture, and other things in the room.
As an autistic person this is so relatable, thank you for sharing your experience! ps: for everyone looking for a song that describes this experience, Tom Rosenthal - All A Bit Too Loud is great
I also struggle with overstimulation, because of my visual disability, my disability is records by the umbilical cord at birth and because of that I have a lot of trauma from that time in my life and although I don't remember it I have sensory memories. I don't like anything close to my neck for example because of the umbilical cord the feeling of being strangled etc, for my overstimulation, as a child I would throw tantrums in restaurants and other places, unable to communicate with my parents about what I was feeling, just knowing that if there was too much going on all at once or I was really tired I just could not function properly, especially since my vision impairment is caused from the brain and so it can be easily overstimulated by a lot of noise and other things happening in places like restaurants. I've also noticed that as I've gotten older like in school for example I started to develop only coyote and this caused my overstimulation to be worse, especially when it came to exams and other important events in my life where it took a lot of concentration, I would just get very overwhelmed and stressed out, which like I said caused me to develop anxiety around certain things which were drastically made worse in certain environments that overstimulated me, with my anxiety pretty much taking over to help me cope with everything shutting down, I would even experience blackouts where I couldn't hear or see anything, which were pretty scary for me, as I used to get seizures as a child and had a fear of darkness and death. There are so many different things that can affect you when you have an overstimulated mind and when it comes to one of your sensors being impacted such as being deaf or blind or visually impaired, it can throw your whole system out of balance, in my case because my vision impairment is brain related the amount i'm actually able to see can change drastically depending on the day and environment, for example if I'm really tired or if I'm in extremely cluttered environment where everything blows together I can barely see or make out things where as if it's a big open space I can see from males, I do have depth perception issues and long-distance issues but I find that in environments that are less stressful or environments that are big and open and spacious I'm still able to see more because I'm in a more relaxing state where there aren't many people around to distract me or things to clutter my brain, so I have dealt with many different things over the years and found that something that really helps me to help with my overstimulation is to just take deep breaths and to step away from the thing I'm doing that is causing me to malfunction, whether it's an overcrowded restaurant or a Busy supermarket or even just something I'm doing at home that I am overthinking and stressing about because it's important to me, just taking a step back from doing it walking away and coming back to it later or if in a restaurant walking out of that room going to get some fresh air, same with a supermarket going on days where there are less people and only stick into areas that I know really well that although they're cluttered and hard to see, I'm able to pick things out when I have a clear head and separate different foods and things I need to get. I know that overstimulation is different for different people depending on your disability and your circumstances/environment, but those are just some experiences I've faced and have noticed that things like anxiety can also affect your overstimulation as well, so just taking deep breaths and stepping away from the situation is the best thing to do or not putting yourself in those environments in the first place, which yes is hard to do sometimes, but trying to sit in a little booth out the way in a restaurant or go earlier in the night etc, just finding small things that you can do to help the situation Whether that's going outside to take a breather or stepping away from the situation for a bit, just to clear your head.
I have cerebral palsy and I experience sensory overload at times. Not so much anymore now that I am an adult but to me sensory overload feels like every voice Echoes and multiples in volume. The best thing to do at those moments is to remove myself from the situation somewhere quiet. After 15 minutes I'm usually refreshed . If it gets really bad I need to shut the light and close my eyes. I've noticed that at those really bad moments shutting a sense away really helps, but usually smells or lights aren't a problem for me.
I hate that anyone makes you feel less than for needing a safe space or to leave an event. I have generalized anxiety and I disappear (or don’t attend) things when I feel overwhelmed. Anyone for any reason shouldn’t feel bad about doing what’s needed to function. I’m sorry you experience this. Thanks for sharing.
This video is exactly what I needed❤ I LOVE using noise cancelling earbuds, especially when I‘m stressed or overwhelmed, it‘s like all of a sudden I can finally hear my thoughts again!! At the moment I just use cheap ones but I think this video gave me the little push I need to invest in a good pair for my own Christmas present this year, self care at its finest ❤️❤️
I appreciate you talking about this as a sighted autistic woman it can be so nice to hear others talk about sensory overload and how it affects their life. We are having two very different experiences and yet the overlap in what we experience when it comes to sensory overload is fascinating. I have had to really learn that it is okay to use my coping mechanisms because so often I feel ashamed of my needs when I know I shouldn't be ashamed. I work a job that frequently causes sensory overload and then I go home to a house with others that cause sensory overload so my biggest thing is knowing when to say you know I just need to go watch a KDrama or listen to an audiobook.
For me (Autistic, sighted) sound is the one thing that overwhelms me the most, so I’ve been trying to do a better job at recognizing when a place might tip me over the edge and preemptively using my ear protectors or ear plugs, and it has helped so much. If you’re able to get past the social stigma of wearing ear protectors, I personally think they do a better job at blocking out background while allowing conversation, and I’ve noticed they can also have the added benefit of a “leave me alone” signal to other people so they don’t approach you unnecessarily when you’re overwhelmed.
I love that you covered this topic! I'm Neurodivergent as well and sensory issues are something I definitely deal with as well with my Tourette Syndrome. I use Loop earplugs, purchase clothing that's comfortable and not tight, avoid certain textures, have a ton of fidget toys, and have a coping kit box with some things in there that can help if I'm having a really hard time!
As an autistic/ adhd woman it’s so cool to hear one of my fav CZcamsrs talking about something I would have never excepted from this channel. I‘m intrigued 😍
I'm also Audhd and this makes me love Molly even more, a relatable queen
I'm AuDHD and this is so affirming. ❤️
I don't have a diagnosis, but relate heavily to the AuDHD community. Not many other people understand sensory overload.
I have a toe walking problem caused by sensory aversion that has lead to pain in my hip, knee and foot. My PT asked me to explain to him what it is like to have sensory processing challenges. I couldn't explain it at the time.
I'm also AuDHD, and it's so interesting to hear different perspectives on this topic.
ADHD, and 5 years ago diagnosed with chronic uveitis, now my right eye is legally blind, and my left eye is catching up.
I am autistic and sighted, and I found it fascinating how many parallels there are between certain Blind and autistic sensory experiences. You talked before about "masking" and blindness in a previous video, which is another similarity. I have heard from Deaf people as well that they are more sensitive to sensory overload, but also engage more in stimming behaviors than hearing people tend to. I think it's so important to talk about these struggles, because it allows different people to relate to one another more.
As for coping strategies (this is purely from my singular experience as an autistic person), I have recently started wearing noise-reducing earbuds and sunglasses more when I am going into an overstimulating environment. I think that all of your advice for managing sensory overload is excellent! It's really hard to start honoring your sensory needs when you've been taught your whole life to hide and suppress them, but it is so important and so healing. I think that we need to normalize the use of objects that make our sensory experiences easier (e.g. headphones/earbuds, sunglasses, stim toys, etc.)
Thank you for sharing your experience! I think you described sensory overload so well, too!
I have ADHD, I have always stimmed, but since becoming visually impaired and losing my sight, it's got so bad that I have carpal tunnel.
I'm going to have to pause and comment. As an Autistic woman I really appreciate you talking about how disabling it feels when sensory overload hits. Because a lot of people don't think Autism is a disability and it very much is. I miss out on so much of life because places are too overstimulating. Even using my coping mechanisms only goes so far. So thank you for talking about this. Okay, back to the video.
Molly Burke, I am neurodivergent myself. I constantly deal with being overstimulated I am overloaded with a lot. Touch, smells, sounds, food textures, fabric textures, and etc..my list is too huge to list here. I get this daily and nightly. I am always tense and stressed out. I hardly leave the house because of my strong agoraphobia... Thank you for making this video and ending the stigmas. This is the right step in the right direction.
This video is very validating for someone like me who lives with anxiety and ptsd🥹 especially when you’re explaining how it makes you physically feel 😩
Overstimulation tip for traveling: visit a Korean spa to recover from overstimulation! one of my worst triggers is being out in public for too long, especially if I'm tired. It's bad when my flight arrives early in the morning and my hotel is not ready for hours. I've learned it's helpful to go someplace quiet and allow myself to shut my eyes and do nothing. Library or a quiet coffee shop. My favorite though, is a Korean spa. They give you a "spa uniform" and there are saunas, large couches for relaxing, mats to lie down on, and hot tubs. It's the ultimate "public place" where I can actually recover from sensory overwhelm.
Firstly - I’m living for the outfit. Secondly, as a blind person, this was so cathartic to listen to because of how relatable it all felt.
This was interesting. I am a late deafened adult. I didn’t think I ever experienced sensory overload but what you’re describing sounds very similar to what I experienced when I first lost my hearing. I was going to graduate level classes three times a week at that time and starting to use sign language interpreters. During every break of class (they lasted several hours) I needed to find someplace to lay down. I would check every door and classroom until I found one that was unlocked. I laid down for the 15 minute break and could then tolerate the class and interpreters again. I remember having to find somewhere to rest at my brother’s wedding reception. It was held in Ottawa in the Parliament building. There were guards there so I couldn’t try to check for unlocked rooms! I ended up sitting in a deep doorway for about a half hour.
“Tolerate” resonates so strongly!! Rest breaks don’t necessarily make me feel better (sighted, hearing, brain injured, chronic migraine) but allow me to continue tolerating and semi-functioning. Thanks for sharing.
You are my safe place Molly. Thank you. Even though our disabilities are different, we have so much in common. I didn't realize there was a phrase to describe what I'm feeling. Now I know it's called Sensory Overload.
Loop Earplugs are excellent for sensory overload! Literally used mine for most of today. And you can get kids ones too.
I second this, loop earplugs have helped me so much with noise sensitivity when I am out and about. 👍🏼👍🏼
I can't say enough good things about Loop brand earplugs either. I also have teeny tiny child sized ear canals but the smallest size tips Loop comes with work for me
I have three pairs of Loops. The full Quiet which dampens the most noise - I have one for sleeping I keep next to my bed and another I keep in my purse. And I also have a pair of Experience which has a small hole to let in a little more noise. But even with the Quiet I can usually hear my friends speaking clearly when we are in a loud restaurant or bar
Love my loops. I bought mine on a whim after see many ads… and they changed how I deal with crowds.
I was just looking to see if anyone had mentioned Loops! I have a set of Loop Experiences (and the mutes you can get for them) as well as a set of Flares, and personally the Loops work way better for me. The Flares don't necessarily block sound, they dampen it, and if I'm overwhelmed they just don't quite cut the noise enough to help me. (edit: Although, that said, I tend to carry my over-ear noise canceling headphones and use those far more than my Loops, which I mostly use if I'm trying to be discreet or am going to have to talk to a group.)
I just hate how I sound weird to myself with them and can't module my volume when I speak
As a fellow disabled person with more than 1 disabilities . I was born this way and then 10 years ago another one came along . All I have to say is THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO ❤.
Thank you for your vulnerability. I agree the world would be a much better place if we could all be so vulnerable. My sister who is high on the autistic spectrum has described similar emotions when she is experiencing sensory overload (which happens almost daily in public spaces)
Thank you for talking about this Molly 💜 I’ve felt so alone in my vision loss/visual impairment and my anxiety. I relate to the internalized ableism and how overwhelming travel can be. Realizing how much I have to rely on others so much lately has been difficult for me to adjust to. I got overwhelmed in the grocery story yesterday simply because it was busy, nothing was in the same place, and I was exhausted. Calling a friend, plugging my ears, going to a quiet space when possible, putting my headphones on with music i love, and doing grounding exercises helps me.
Comfy clothes are such a huge stress reliever in general, my therapist constantly recommends me getting in cozy clothes and laying down somewhere warm when I'm anxious, it's an underappreciated and free way to instantly feel better.
Totally agree with you! I personally find laying down the best comfort measure for me.
I am a 61 year old woman who has dealt with hearing loss in one ear and my other ear is beginning to have issues....I asked my life companion how would we communicate to each other if I lost my hearing and we decided sign language classes and patience in life with laughter.....
This is so validating for me. I lost my vision at 11 and been dealing with sensory issues ever since. I am 21 now and this has been the first time I have felt understood. It is so hard to explain to people who do not live through it. Thank you Molly. 💖
What helps me is: headphone + noise control, sunglasses, weighted blanket, sometimes with sometimes without extra heated blanket. Usually listening to something comforting on the headphones. Most likely Harry Potter or something I’ve written myself and know well 🥰
Thank you for making this video to inform others on sensory overload! I’m autistic and I get overstimulated. Especially with ptsd. I start getting overwhelmed when something triggers me and I think about the past.
During the pandemic, as an autistic person, my meltdowns were almost daily. Sometimes I could not move past an intrusive thought and hence, meltdown. I do get embarrassed, but usually I am too busy trying to calm down. Now that life is more or less normal, sensory overload is way better.
I've started to dread certain larger social gatherings, and I realize it's because i get overstimulated so quickly at them. Thanks for sharing!
My daughter was told that when she’s overstimulated it’s like dial-up vs. Wi-Fi, like the whole internet is out there but she’s going to process slower at times. She ended up carrying foam earplugs in her school bag for easy access, very helpful during testing or sometimes at lunch.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with sensory overload! I have autism, and I have to explain myself all the time to people that don´t know what sensory overload is and what it looks like. I think this will help spread awareness. Thank you!
Oh. My. Gosh I love that you are talking about this!! I have a sensory processing disorder and anxiety. I've never related to anyone more. This is one of those videos I'm sharing with my friends.
Molly... I'm currently writing a fantasy novel where one of my characters becomes blind due to events in the story. This and other videos of yours are INCREDIBLY helpful for me to understand what it would truly be like to have to deal with this kind of a thing on a day to day basis so that I can *hopefully* capture the true essence of that as I develop this character. I appreciate your vulnerability and I wish you and others struggling with disabilities all the best. Hopefully my novel will do your struggle justice. And who knows... maybe it will even be another form of inspiration for many with disabilities.
Thanks for this
I can relate. I have ADHD, APD, & PTSD. Sensory overload, anxiety, panic attacks, disassociation, & shutdown….. are unfortunately part of my disability & life. That’s why I’m grateful for my service dog, family, friends, and support group of people that experience same and/or similar struggles. ❤
Love a classic Molly chit chat!
I appreciate how you described sensory overload. I deal with this a ton and your explanation seems like a better way to describe it to people who don't understand. Thank you!
The thing that works the best for me is getting away from the environment for 10-15 minutes. If i cant do that i hold my service dog against me with my head against his chest so that i hear his heartbeat, smell him, feel him. It really helps ground me out. It also helps for me when the people i am with know what is going on so they don't engage with me if possible. I just need a quiet puppy cuddle for a bit. If none of that works i take my anxiety meds.
As an autistic person, it makes me so happy that you're spreading info about this
Same
I love that your bed can be your comfort zone. It's an anxiety space for me :/ I spent many nights in the bathroom to feel safe. Guys in my past were horrible.
I recently had a similar restaurant experience and was so agitated and couldn't concentrate on anything my friend was saying. Once I realized it was sensory overload I asked if we could move outside and I *instantly* felt better ❤
I also have a fidget on my car key instead of a keychain, so I always have it with me 😊
I was just thinking about this the other day. Thank you for sharing!
Also, I know it's not your typical content, but I really love when you nerd out about the history of braille and the history of adaptions in the blind community. I learned so much from that video.
thank you for this video, molly. due to some mental health issues, i often deal with sensory overload of varying degrees when out in busy or unfamiliar places, and i've struggled putting what is happening to me into words beyond 'everything is just too much'. your description has helped me sort through my own experiences with it, and hopefully given me the language to help my loved ones understand what's up. and yes, i did have a little cry over the whole 'o god someone get's it'-thing.
much love
Thank you for sharing, Molly! I have ADHD and a lot of sensory issues. Also, since I got a concussion in 2017 and have been dealing with post concussion issues and illnesses since then my ADHD symptoms and sensory issues have gotten a lot worse. Of course, when I have a migraine I will have bad sensory issues, too.
But it's really interesting to hear about sensory issues from your perspective, and I really appreciate that. My sensory issues fluctuate, but a lot of them are constant. When you said you can't wear high collared shirts when you're feeling sensory overload really stood out to me. Because for you it's only sometimes, but I can't ever wear crew neck shirts or any other high collared shirts or sweaters. And somehow I never connected that to sensory issues even though it seems obvious to me now. Amazing! Even necklaces that are too short and sit up high too close to my neck in the front are a no go for me
I've been wanting to get fidget rings for ages and haven't pulled the trigger yet. Maybe I'll ask for some for Christmas this year so I can finally get some!
Fellow ADHDer here, I also can't stand crew necks. They make me feel like I'm being choked. And don't get me started on turtle necks 🤢.
There was a time when chokers were all the rage. I remember going shopping with my mom and buying several. This was before my dx, so I couldn't for the life of me explain why I was suddenly getting headaches and being an irritable jerk (for lack of a better word). But I finally made the connection and was so sad I couldn't wear them.
So yeah, sensory issues suck. I've got more, and it's hard when you're being triggered by something you can't just remove like jewelry. 😭
Anyway, I hope you're able to get some figet rings. 😊
Okay so I experienced this for the first time less than a month ago. I’m legally blind, and near end of October, we went on a music trip to our local high school (I’m 13 and in elementary school, just for context) and we were in a very packed space with so much noise, and I have this thing where I can sense things/people around me, sort of like a sixth sense, and I suddenly just got super anxious and long story short, since that was the first time I had experienced it, I lost control and was just crying that whole day. Worst part was I was actually looking forward to that day for A FULL MONTH. Same thing happened on less that 2 weeks ago for our Gr8 transitions day. Tried to not break down, but I did. My mom got me earbuds for the second trip. Not noise-cancelling or anything, just earbuds. It helped while in the cafeteria, but it was still way too munch noise. It sucks, guys. This is new to me, so I don’t know how to cope with it yet or what might trigger me in future, but I just want to thank you for making this video. I haven’t finished it, but it’s been very helpful so far.
I hear you. I was you a while back and did not know what was going on. Just keep pushing through. What helps me is knowing that eventually the attack will stop.
@@arose9027 thank you. :) i hope you have a great day.
I think the noise canceling and fidegting has helped me a lot in stressfull situations. I have been wearing noise canceling headphones for about 15 years now without realising why exactly i wanted to get my first pair as i was 17. I have been wearing them everywhere, often without music...
And fidget Jewelry for adults is something that you inspired me to make! my first fidget pendant was a bee with a lot of different textures to feel 🐝🐝🐝
Molly you help me do much getting through the darkest point in my life. I can relate so much to what you went through as a teenager regarding schools and mental health struggles. Watching you is truly what helps me to keep holding on because I know I am not alone, and people do come out on the other side of this to lead beautiful lives and make a big difference in the world. I love you Molly🩷🩷🩷
❤Thank you thank you for sharing Molly. I’m dealing with sensory overload frequently. My reactions are very similar to yours. I am sighted. I deal with severe chronic pain and fatigue (and more health issues) and am unable to work anymore. I have very similar responses and coping mechanisms to yours. Even the Bose earbuds! But I also keep an eye mask, regular earplugs, and a “break-and-use” ice pack in my bag, just in case. I used to always have a fidget toy with me. Thank you for reminding me that it’s perfectly ok for an adult to use those tools.
I don't have a disability but do have CFS and I can definitely relate to your experience especially when I'm extra fatigued. Thanks for being so vulnerable and talking about it publicly ❤
I believe CFS could count as a disability if you wish to define it as such. Speaking as someone who has one, even invisible disabilities and illnesses can count. I don't have CFS (as far as I'm aware), but I frequently deal with fatigue/exhaustion because of my disabilities. No pressure to identify as anything you don't want to, but it's my opinion that you could say you have a disability if you wanted to ❤
may i say i love that yellow room, it's really calming.
I found that mindfulness helps me when I get around to doing it. The book "30 Days to Reduce Anxiety" by Harper Daniels keeps me on track.
This just explained my life, no kidding. For me its new places, but without fail, the grocery store every single time.
Thank you so much for talking about this! I have Chronic Migraines and it's a part of Migraines people don't talk about as much.
Thank you for sharing these things with us. so many people don't understand what it's like living with blindness and how hard life is at times. i've been totally blind since birth but I still get overwhelmed and overloaded quite a lot. I get told to chill out and relax but I know it's because people either don't understand because of ignorance, or they have their own disability issues which prevents them from understanding mine. Life happens and we can all work through this together.
Thank you for being so vulnerable and real! This definitely helped me!
Something I find helpful sometimes is stuffed animals, specifically ones that are either really squishy or that have multiple textures. Big squishy ones are calming to hug and different textured ones are calming to run your hands along and feel the differences. Also taking off my glasses can help because I can't see without them and everything being blurry makes things feel less harsh for me. That and I like to go in small rooms like my bathroom at home and close the door, because smaller spaces like home bathrooms tend to be more plain and simple so they feel less overwhelming, and closing the door and being entirely alone helps me relax.
Thanks for this video! I started experiencing sensory overload after a brain injury and I really related when you said you're crawling out of your skin and want to be in a shell. Even the smallest stimulation makes me feel like I'm freaking out. It took me a long time to accept and figure out how to tell people that I'm not myself when it's happening and I need some shut down time.
One of my favorite items for sensory overload are those cooling migraine headbands. They can be pulled over the eyes and they'll also block the ears. Or you can wear them up around the forehead. The cooling pressure feels so nice and grounding. I find items made for migraines often work well for sensory overload since they have common symptoms. I hope this helps someone!
I think you've mentioned occupational therapy a few times when talking about school. I'm a school-based occupational therapy assistant, so I'd love to hear about your OT experience!
I have autism and fibromyalgia and have huge sensory issues, so I relate to this so hard. Thank you for sharing your experience Molly. Love your videos, much love ❤
Molly - Thank you for showing Brooklinen, because of you I ended up getting the Spa towels and also a set as a wedding gift for my sister. The towels are amazing and I love you videos and that anything you recommend is amazing too
Really helpful to know what it feels like for you. I don’t have the computer shut down experience, but I sometimes have heightened sensitivity to sensory input and recognise the need to change something, so I guess my computer glitches or runs slow. I have learnt that I also don’t care what I look like if a non offensive action will help me cope better. I’ve sat with my fingers in my ears so I can focus better then I’m in training courses or playing games with friends. I like that you help me to recognise that my non-disabled self still has needs that might be different to others around me and it’s ok to do different things to make those needs met.
I have adhd and dysgraphia and the sensory overload is so difficult! I usually sing to myself to distract myself and have something to focus on. Closed eyes, singing a song from a childhood movie usually helps me focus on myself rather than all the stuff I’m overwhelmed by. Bright lights are the worst for me, so I’m always trying to use lamps and avoid overhead lighting. And I am picky about clothing bc touch overload tends to be my tipping sense. I love cuddles but not when too much is going on. Love the video and it’s nice to not feel alone in this. ❤️
I’m an introvert so I’ve always had to get to a quiet space when I’ve been in a noisy p,ace.But as I lose more vision I have had panic attacks and can relate to feeling like an idiot and shutting down. When I’m traveling in a car during the day and I can see cars zipping past us I get so stressed and have to look down at my lap or close my eyes the entire trip. I don’t have as bad of a reaction traveling at night because I only see some lights. I feel much calmer. Thanks for sharing so I know I’m not the only one.
❤ thank you for this video. Until I watch this I did not realize what I was experiencing was sensory overload. IQ and blind but only very recently blind thank you for doing what you are doing❤
Excellent analogy/description of sensory overload!! I will be quoting you in the future when I try to describe it; but for sighted, chronic migraine, brain injured me - the fire alarms are also going off and it feels like the ground is moving.
Also - 100% agree - more shared vulnerability and acceptance will improve vibrations and experience of all humans in the world. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. Love you and what you do!
I am also disabled and have many of these same triggers! Thank you for sharing this was so helpful!
Actually getting myself out of sensory overload with my methods and listening to this video for distraction. It helps to forget the „wanting to crawl out of my skin“ feeling
Sending ♥️ from Toronto, Ontario! 🇨🇦
This was so relateable in so many ways. Sensory overload for me has always been related to my CPTSD. I'm not a social person anyways but depend on caregivers throughout the day for various very personal things because of my disability. I don't find the overload itself bothers me as much as the reality that what causes it is having to depend and be involved with people is what does. I can manage the experience of the overload independently in many of the same ways you do. But if I'm someplace public and either need to ask for help/get all sorts of weird interactions or questions relating to my disability it definitely triggers it for me. Anything that really triggers my anxiety can set it off but my anxiety can also cause it if that makes sense. It's opposite to you in the sense that I don't feel like it takes away from experiences but it's experiences/interactions that cause it or the way people respond to it when they see it.
Fidget rings are amazing! I have a pride rainbow ring on my left thumb that's a slightly larger ring in a track on a base ring, so the whole ring spins with a very smooth glide.
Thank you Molly for explaining I felt like this all my life and it’s so good that the definition to do associated with
Thank you for being so vulnerable and real. Being vulnerable about disability It's so important so thank you. Loved the video 🤟
Thanks for sharing. I am also blind from a retina condition and completely share these experiences. Sometimes I feel like everything is a metal pot on my head being banged on. So noisy. I often go to the bathroom too, just to escape. I agree about the smells too. That can add a very oppressive feeling to it.
As soon I saw the title of the video I immediately pressed on it as a person with ADHD and anxiety it can be really tough because nobody understands the words of I Do Not Want To Be Talked To, Or Touched Or Hear Loud Noises, Or Smell Certain Smells and when experiencing overloads I even hate the feeling of my own skin and clothes. and which can lead into me have shutdowns and it's so difficult when people aren't educated on these type of things. So Thank You So Much For Speaking Out About This
I’m have epilepsy, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and ptsd and these videos help so much to understand triggers and how to deal with them. Thank you molly, you’re adorable and so strong 💕
ADHD-er here and you explained my experience with sensory overload to a T! Thank you for some of these suggestions. I'm on the search for new noise canceling headphones/earbuds because I lost my old ones.
Hi Molly, appreciate you sharing your experiences. I think I might be neurodivergent and feel overwhelmed when too many things happen at once which I process overload differently than others. Thank you for your kindness 🥰
I was just thinking about this today as i was standing on the bus stop on a busy road, because as an autistic person i find that bright lights give me anxiety. And having so many cars and buses pass by at night, especially when it has been raining and the lights reflect on the road is certainly overwhelming. I keep reminding myself that it's nothing and it will pass and try to calm myself but what makes it more difficult is that i also focus on how i look like to other people with my eyes squinting and if i have a stressed out face haha!
You are stunning molly you are such a genuine honest person molly iam autistic and i struggle with bright lighting you are a real life superhero you're abilities are bigger than you're disabilities you're abilities make you who you are you are someone i really look up too i always wish the best for you you are a beautiful person inside and out
Such great information! Thanks Molly
I have a lot triggers. But one of which i know you love, christmas lights. I have visual snow and astigmatism so lights in my eyes are almost 4-5 times larger at night than they really are. So it completely disrupts my ability to see the sidewalk if im walking. Or the street if im a passanger in a car. And thats whrn i get overwhelmed. Ive always had an issue with sounds when im trying to wind down in my home. Ive never lived alone but i will stay up extra late to be alone before bed because talking, tapping, ice in a glass cup, etc will overwhelm me. Fast. Short, loud noises bother me. Fire works, a scared yelp will set it off, beeping. Its so sudden that my brain doesnt have the time to process how loud it really was and my brain also will replay the noise in my head really loud. And my ears feel like the best way to discribe it is a slap to my ear. The best ways for me to process is just getting up and going to the bathroom. They are usually insuillated and i can turn off the lights. Your bed is your safe place. Mine is the bathroom. I do carry jelly ear plugs (not foam) that can mold over my ears and noise canceling head phones (sound Q20 $75 way better than my $200 samsungs) i used to use gum to chew on because it gives me something to focus on like the taste, and a stim by chewing which is not disruptive. However gum no longer does it for me since i cant stand the taste of hubbabubba any more and other gums just arent thick enough. And i know this is really gross but i pop my neck it gives me a tention relief and reminds me to stretch. When you are in a sensory overload your body is tensing which is giving you more stimmulus. So streching helps. If all of that fails i just go to sleep. Take a benadryl and close my eyes.
I LOOOOVE fidget rings!! As someone with autism and ADHD, I struggle with trichotillomania (so maybe I also have OCD?), and I've always picked at my skin, eyelashes, eyebrows, itchy spots, bug bites, etc when I'm not doing anything with my hands. I have fidgets everywhere now, and it's really helpful for the office environment I work at when there are long meetings! I can just have my fidget ring with my so I don't tear at my cuticles during the meeting. I'm getting a custom wedding ring made that's going to have several different moving elements on it, and I couldn't be more excited 🥹 side note, as someone who picks out eyebrow and eyelash hairs and used to hide behind makeup, getting my eyebrows microbladed was literally the best purchase I've ever made in my entire life. I feel comfortable in my own skin while swimming, leaning my face against something, etc. It's truly been freeing exploring all the accommodations out there in the world for someone like me.
Neurodivergent here…. Noise canceling headphones (or music) and a weighted blanket at home. Ssri for anxiety changed my life. Also little things like making sure my clothing and socks are comfortable. making sure I have what I need (loop earplugs hard candy etc). Fidget toys are not for me but I understand why they work for people.
I’m low vision and very light sensitive and I get very overwhelmed if it’s bright and crowded!
THANKS Molly!
Like this I have manny times, and since I also outover the blindness, have hearloss even with my hearingapparats. The Restaurante description, a perfekt way to explaine it! You know,the earprotecters cover the ears in industry with loud noice.. They are my "safe space" to let the brain rest .
HUGS!
Heelsegh,GoabdesBïárnu,SÁPMI.
Thank you, THANK YOU, Molly. As someone who struggles with sensory overload along with a lot of other issues, this really helped me feel not so alone. To hear this from such a successful CZcamsr like yourself is so wonderful and beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story, I know this will help and has helped many more people than just myself, and for that we are all extremely grateful❤❤
This. All of this. Thank you, Molly. You've put into words everything I go through.
Thank you so much Molly! You have been such a huge part of me accepting my disabilities and your openness has helped me to be vulnerable in order to get the help I need. I have Functional Neurological Disorder which has affected my balance and vision, plus ADHD, so sensory overload is something I deal with constantly and I have to manage all the time. Hearing you talk about our shared experience has helped me feel so much less alone, thank you so much again
ADHD person with sensory processing disorder here, and all I can say is PREACH it girl.
I get really, really irritable when it’s all too much. It’s like slowly worse, slowly worse, BANG “oh my god everyone shut up and leave me alone”. I’ve had to learn how to be aware of it creeping up on me.
I like to be in the dark a lot. I tend to hide under a blanket on the couch and create my own little safety cocoon.
Thanks for being real with us! And love this darker hair color on you Molly!
This was so interesting. Thank you so much for sharing! I had honestly never really thought much about this. However, if you had asked me I would have guessed that a blind person would have been less likely to experience sensory overwhelm as they have less information coming in from one of the senses. It is so interesting to hear that this isn't the case. Thank you so much for educating me. I really appreciate it!
Thank you for sharing! Super helpful, both because I can relate and because I can't. I feel less alone and empowered to help those around me feel less alone.
As an autistic person who is often perceived as "high functioning", I struggle with feeling like I can't acknowledge that I am disabled. I've only ever used the term disabled to describe myself in front of a few people, who have either outright said I'm not, or I could tell by their face or how they responded that they didn't really think I was but didn't want to say anything. And they all knew about my autism. That being said, hearing a person with a more recognised disability say that they feel more disabled when experiencing something that I frequently experience is oddly validating. I really appreciate this video for that reason.
I have ADHD and anxiety disorder, and experience sensory overload as well, especially in times of stress. The noise-cancelling earbuds (mine are airpods pro) are game-changing for me.
I use tiktok as a distractor too, when all my tabs are glitching it helps to have one input to concentrate on and let my tabs reboot in the background. but one symptom of ADHD is difficulty in task-transition so I do get stuck in tiktok loops and have to force myself to close it when I’m ready, lol. Sometimes it’s a youtube video or an episode of a show, something that can keep my thoughts and my attention.
The most invaluable thing for me is having an understanding partner who gets it when I need to disengage for a little bit.
I don't know how exactly I relate to every specific little thing yet, but I know that it means a lot to me that you are sharing this.
I'll try to keep this concise:
For me, as a (probably/self-diagnosed, so far) autistic woman, what you described as sensory overload would be my meltdown or shutdown; and I call the process of getting overstimulated and overwhelmed leading up to it sensory overload. Depending on the point at which I realize I'm in overload I'm still able to do/prevent/say/accommodate, or not.
I'd probably define it as the state in which your brain is overwhelmed by the sensory input (be that vision, hearing, physical feeling, emotions, taste and smell, or motion...).
My primary issue is with sound. I need my ANC (active noise cancelling) headphones or everything will definitely be too much; even with them I'll hear all conversation within a certain radius. I use the over ear ones as I can't put things in my ear. Sunglasses can be helpful. There have been times I'd eat veggie rice completely unseasoned, not even salt, for days, to minimize further input - and also stick to few and safe vegetables in that. Comfortable clothing is a big one, yes! Currently working on improving that one! 😊
Furthermore a break under my weighted blanket can work wonders (to decrease stress or get me to sleep, so the nap can work it's charm 😉); and I love stimming, f.ex. rocking chair, twirling, dancing, hand flapping, singing ("output blocks input" 😅 and humming in loud public places often goes unnoticed). . .
I see lots of fidget toys in the stores in my city. I never knew there was fidget jewelry. That bee ring looks so cool!
I looooove the Apple AirPods for noise cancellation. They just added "adaptive noise cancellation" so it adapts to your environment, automatically dampening loud sounds but helping you hear people in front of you. It's super helpful for me, I wear them while delivering for DoorDash. It also makes car rides much quieter. It's just the best because I no longer have to constantly switch between "transparency" which makes everything too loud, and "noise cancellation" which sometimes is too quiet.
Wow thanks for talking about this! I always just thought that the urge to go curl into a ball and or claw my own skin off in crowds or particularly noisy situations was a me problem. I knew there were some parts of it that were probably linked to my lack of vision, but I always thought it had more to do with me being introverted than anything. it's nice to know that I'm not the only blind person that has this kind of trouble sometimes.
Thank you so so much for talking about this. My vision loss has been in the last couple years. I totally experience sensory overload. My first horrible experience was going to a movie theater. Never again. I struggle in crowded dining rooms as well. A year or so ago I took a trip to visit my mom. I experienced total overload in her well-kept tiny home. I woke up early the next morning and made myself go around every corner of her living room and dining room, and feel things. That really helped. Because then my brain was oriented to where I was, and it was no longer struggling to process all the pictures, furniture, and other things in the room.
As an autistic person this is so relatable, thank you for sharing your experience!
ps: for everyone looking for a song that describes this experience, Tom Rosenthal - All A Bit Too Loud is great
I also struggle with overstimulation, because of my visual disability, my disability is records by the umbilical cord at birth and because of that I have a lot of trauma from that time in my life and although I don't remember it I have sensory memories. I don't like anything close to my neck for example because of the umbilical cord the feeling of being strangled etc, for my overstimulation, as a child I would throw tantrums in restaurants and other places, unable to communicate with my parents about what I was feeling, just knowing that if there was too much going on all at once or I was really tired I just could not function properly, especially since my vision impairment is caused from the brain and so it can be easily overstimulated by a lot of noise and other things happening in places like restaurants. I've also noticed that as I've gotten older like in school for example I started to develop only coyote and this caused my overstimulation to be worse, especially when it came to exams and other important events in my life where it took a lot of concentration, I would just get very overwhelmed and stressed out, which like I said caused me to develop anxiety around certain things which were drastically made worse in certain environments that overstimulated me, with my anxiety pretty much taking over to help me cope with everything shutting down, I would even experience blackouts where I couldn't hear or see anything, which were pretty scary for me, as I used to get seizures as a child and had a fear of darkness and death. There are so many different things that can affect you when you have an overstimulated mind and when it comes to one of your sensors being impacted such as being deaf or blind or visually impaired, it can throw your whole system out of balance, in my case because my vision impairment is brain related the amount i'm actually able to see can change drastically depending on the day and environment, for example if I'm really tired or if I'm in extremely cluttered environment where everything blows together I can barely see or make out things where as if it's a big open space I can see from males, I do have depth perception issues and long-distance issues but I find that in environments that are less stressful or environments that are big and open and spacious I'm still able to see more because I'm in a more relaxing state where there aren't many people around to distract me or things to clutter my brain, so I have dealt with many different things over the years and found that something that really helps me to help with my overstimulation is to just take deep breaths and to step away from the thing I'm doing that is causing me to malfunction, whether it's an overcrowded restaurant or a Busy supermarket or even just something I'm doing at home that I am overthinking and stressing about because it's important to me, just taking a step back from doing it walking away and coming back to it later or if in a restaurant walking out of that room going to get some fresh air, same with a supermarket going on days where there are less people and only stick into areas that I know really well that although they're cluttered and hard to see, I'm able to pick things out when I have a clear head and separate different foods and things I need to get. I know that overstimulation is different for different people depending on your disability and your circumstances/environment, but those are just some experiences I've faced and have noticed that things like anxiety can also affect your overstimulation as well, so just taking deep breaths and stepping away from the situation is the best thing to do or not putting yourself in those environments in the first place, which yes is hard to do sometimes, but trying to sit in a little booth out the way in a restaurant or go earlier in the night etc, just finding small things that you can do to help the situation Whether that's going outside to take a breather or stepping away from the situation for a bit, just to clear your head.
So relatable and helpful 💜
I have cerebral palsy and I experience sensory overload at times. Not so much anymore now that I am an adult but to me sensory overload feels like every voice Echoes and multiples in volume. The best thing to do at those moments is to remove myself from the situation somewhere quiet. After 15 minutes I'm usually refreshed . If it gets really bad I need to shut the light and close my eyes. I've noticed that at those really bad moments shutting a sense away really helps, but usually smells or lights aren't a problem for me.
I also have PP
I hate that anyone makes you feel less than for needing a safe space or to leave an event. I have generalized anxiety and I disappear (or don’t attend) things when I feel overwhelmed. Anyone for any reason shouldn’t feel bad about doing what’s needed to function. I’m sorry you experience this. Thanks for sharing.
This video is exactly what I needed❤ I LOVE using noise cancelling earbuds, especially when I‘m stressed or overwhelmed, it‘s like all of a sudden I can finally hear my thoughts again!! At the moment I just use cheap ones but I think this video gave me the little push I need to invest in a good pair for my own Christmas present this year, self care at its finest ❤️❤️
I appreciate you talking about this as a sighted autistic woman it can be so nice to hear others talk about sensory overload and how it affects their life. We are having two very different experiences and yet the overlap in what we experience when it comes to sensory overload is fascinating. I have had to really learn that it is okay to use my coping mechanisms because so often I feel ashamed of my needs when I know I shouldn't be ashamed. I work a job that frequently causes sensory overload and then I go home to a house with others that cause sensory overload so my biggest thing is knowing when to say you know I just need to go watch a KDrama or listen to an audiobook.
For me (Autistic, sighted) sound is the one thing that overwhelms me the most, so I’ve been trying to do a better job at recognizing when a place might tip me over the edge and preemptively using my ear protectors or ear plugs, and it has helped so much. If you’re able to get past the social stigma of wearing ear protectors, I personally think they do a better job at blocking out background while allowing conversation, and I’ve noticed they can also have the added benefit of a “leave me alone” signal to other people so they don’t approach you unnecessarily when you’re overwhelmed.
I love that you covered this topic! I'm Neurodivergent as well and sensory issues are something I definitely deal with as well with my Tourette Syndrome. I use Loop earplugs, purchase clothing that's comfortable and not tight, avoid certain textures, have a ton of fidget toys, and have a coping kit box with some things in there that can help if I'm having a really hard time!