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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask you about your sensory issues?

104 replies

Wednesdayafternoon · 06/03/2022 01:59

Just that really. My eldest son has some sensory issues with textures, and I can really relate to his frustrations. He's overcome ALOT but easily gets frustrated with his socks, shoes and underwear. Anything that's tight. Getting dressed is not fun!

I've never really thought about it before but I have a few sensory issues myself. For example...

  • Wearing a polo neck, even through i wear them all the time if it touches my neck in the wrong place it will make me feel unwell!
  • socks, if they're too short and baggy it will literally spoil my day because it makes my whole body feel so uncomfortable
  • bedding that is baggy... so irritating. Can't get over it
  • panty liner... I absolutely hate them. I had to wear one the other day and in my head it just made my underwear and jeans too tight. I was on edge until I could remove it.

That's it really. I even feel on edge typing them up!
I've never really thought of these things as sensory issues before just things that made me feel so irritated and I never knew why but realising it actually feels good!

OP posts:
PuppyPowerTool · 06/03/2022 07:22

I consider myself neurotypical but have several too. There are many fabrics I just can't bear, and shop by touch first. Hair caught in my fingers when swimming., sends me into a panic! My hair touching the back of my neck or forehead. Wet wool. The duvet shifting in the cover (someone please ivent an anti duvet /cover slippage device') . There are more, I'm sure.

Iwanttenofthose · 06/03/2022 07:39

I can't stand the idea of metal touching my teeth. If I accidentally touch my fork / spoon to my teeth when eating it ruins the meal, and going to the dentist is a real issue.

My DD finds tights very problematic and we frequently have tears in the morning because they're hurting her legs. She's a real girly girl though and point blank refuses to wear trousers. Fortunately she barely feels the cold so she only wears them in the coldest part of the winter!

BOOTS52 · 06/03/2022 07:40

I have really sensitive eyes and lights really hurt my eyes so have to wear sunglasses a lot. Polyester clothes just yuk as the texture is gross. Noise sensitivity also, if the lid of the saucepan drop and does that spinning rattling nose on the counter I have to stop it straight away as just goes right through me. Also with some clothing issues. My son would only wear boxers when little as hated underpants and the feeling on him and also anything with buttons he would not wear.

BOOTS52 · 06/03/2022 07:41

Also have to use 100 % cotton pads when cleaning my face as that other stuff feels so squeaky and gives me that horrible feeling.

MrsGHarrison87 · 06/03/2022 07:54

I don't like wearing anything round my neck. I hate when the kids are on different ipads and there's a variety of sounds blasting out. I find it unbearable.

ihavechangedmyname54321 · 06/03/2022 08:00

Oh loads! Loads of things from this thread that I’ve only remembered seeing it written down. Certain fabrics, the feel of certain fabrics when my hands are TOO dry (eg after coming out of the shower and drying them), certain socks, certain tights, anything touching the front of my neck (could never wear a choker, disgusting!). Low tolerance for repetitive noises generally. Certain paper like newspaper, hot off the photocopier paper.

My DS is very fussy with clothes, socks mainly, takes them off immediately when he gets home and it means he goes through about 3 pairs of socks on a weekend day if we’re in and out of the house. He also hates most jeans and any trousers that aren’t leggings or joggers.

PuppyPowerTool · 06/03/2022 08:06

Oh, and smells! So many smells. It was so much worse when I was pregnant too. Artificial air fresheners make me heave. I get accused of being dramatic but I can't help it! Fabric conditioners. All of them! My face feels like it's melting.

TeloMere · 06/03/2022 08:14

Labels drive me mad, they cause sudden painful itching that I can't ignore. Really inconvenient when I'm outside dressed up in loads of layers and have to rearrange my underwear but can't get to it without undressing.
Cutting the labels off clothes makes them even more scratchy and irritating as there's still a cut edge, and unpicking risks leaving holes that unravel.

Nothingsfine · 06/03/2022 08:21

I have lots of sensory issues but I hadn't associated them with neurodivergence until my son started to struggle and was diagnosed with autism. I now realise I'm autistic myself and have been much kinder with my own triggers.

HunterAngel · 06/03/2022 08:23

I can’t stand things at my neck, high necked jumpers, short chained necklaces, they all make me feel like I’m being strangled.
Also the food thing, can’t stand noisy eaters.
I have a strong dislike for fidgets. MIL likes to tap her fingers and hum tunelessly. Took a hour long car trip with her once and was plotting dismemberment and/or murder before we’d gone ten minutes down the road!

ChekhovsMum · 06/03/2022 08:26

If there’s music playing with lyrics, I can’t read or write. I can’t believe anybody can. The words on the page just turn into the lyrics of the song.

ArabellaStrange · 06/03/2022 08:28

The feel of unglazed pottery, just urgh
Bright lights.
Loud noises but in particular those things they use to undo and do up scaffolding. It makes my wrists hurt other type of power tools have a similar effect.
Wet socks just no urgh urgh.
Hardly ever wear jewelry as it feels not right.
My hair in my face, pretty much wear it tied back always.
I'm sure there are more but can't think what they are right now.

TroysMammy · 06/03/2022 08:36

Tinsel
Certain voices e.g. Tony Robinson, Griff Rhys Jones
Loud noises
Putting away cutlery although I have no problem using them individually.

My niece hates wiping her hands on towels and I used to find damp hand prints on the walls on the stairs. I think she now either uses a towel or she wipes her hands on her clothes.

bobisbored · 06/03/2022 08:36

I have a few too. I think I am probably on the spectrum though. I can't stand labels, I cut them out. Anything with wool in it makes me itch and I get very stressed. I don't like loud music in the car. I can only wear certain socks, seamless ones from Sainsburys. And anyone humming makes me want to kill them! Reading through the posts had made me realise I've just learned to cope with a lot of things but the ones I've mentioned I know I can't deal with.

TENDTOprocrastinate · 06/03/2022 08:40

Windscreen wipers going faster than they need to and so are making a squeaking noise. Extractor fans buzzing in the dead of night (I have to turn them off). A noisy restaurant with voices/clattering/music.
People cracking their knuckles 😬.

ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 06/03/2022 08:42

I get sensory overload when it comes to people talking and talking and talking and talking...
Once when my inlaws stayed for a weekend, I put earplugs in and sat on the floor of our ensuite in tears because they wouldnt SHUT.THE.FUCK.UP.

LethargeMarg · 06/03/2022 08:50

Not sure if this is sensory specifically but I can't stand bathroom products outside of the bathroom-eg toothpaste, soap, shampoo -don't mind if brand new unopened but once opened can't bear it.

ittakes2 · 06/03/2022 09:01

Google infant reflexes not going dormant or primitive reflexes not going dormant - if applies can be resolved.
Also M&S comfort socks have no seams and are a game changer.

howdidigettobe50something · 06/03/2022 09:04

So many of these resonate with me. Paper straws and wooden cutlery are the worst...I just can't use them. Labels on the side of dresses. if I am suddenly aware that I haven't cut it out I feel uncomfortable until I have done it. Can't do high neck or polo neck clothing. Touching some materials with really dry hands. Too many noises at once like TV on , radio in another room that I can hear then someone plays something on a phone.

lugeforlife · 06/03/2022 09:13

I have major issues with things on my legs.

Can't wear denim. Certainly can't wear denim with Lycra in it.

Struggle with tights but can tolerate if I have too but they have to be very big so only ever wear with boots where it doesn't show.

Can't stand polyester trousers of any kind. Can't stand wool. Only really tolerate viscose, cotton jersey or a light cotton weave.

Oh and I cannot put the same knickers on after a shower, even if they have only been on for a short while.

It's actually been quite difficult as it makes dressing smartly quite a challenge and I'm quite senior so it's expected. A lot of feeling on edge/uncomfortable. Also makes my style quite scruffy.

I can still vividly recall a mate putting thing tights back on after pe when her legs were damp from the shower. I still cringe at how she could have done such a thing I really do.

lugeforlife · 06/03/2022 09:14

Oh oh oh I also don't like competing noises or things around my neck!

Ahhh my people

Partyatnumber10 · 06/03/2022 09:16

I have a few:
I can't bear listening to other people open or crunch crisps.
Also hearing, I really struggle if somebody irl or on the tv talks at the same pitch all the time. Most people's voices naturally fluctuate but the ones that don't I have to sort of tap underneath my ears to disrupt the sound a bit.
Don't like having my forearms covered even when freezing cold.
Have very sensitive finger tips and can't run my fingers over any type of material.
I also hate touching people's hands when you transfer an object from one person to another.
I can't stand my feet being too hot or being covered up at all r

beautifullymad · 06/03/2022 09:17

I have pretty normal sensory aversions but some unusual ones too. I've always been sensory challenged.

There is much autism in our family.

Usual ones are food textures, but particularly combining food textures. This it why certain things on my plate can't touch. It's not just the subsequent taste combination it's the texture combination. It can really upset me.

Clothes labels always come off. Shoes have to be sublimely comfy which can mean the same battered pair for years. Same with clothes. Interestingly the tighter the fit the better but in stretch fabrics.

Panty liners are horrendous. I find that infant wash cloths are so soft and can be folded and used easily. I've tried period pants but can't get on with them.

I can't deal with the sensation of rogue hair on my fingers.

I also can't do buttons up, well I can, but I avoid it if at all
Possible, it's the sensation of pushing the button through the hole that sets my teeth on edge.

I like to drink from a cool smooth thin vessel such as bone China. Have sensory issues around my lips and textures. Again as always a can manage but I avoid things.

Can't stand wooden cutlery, I'd rather eat with my hands and wash them afterwards.
Same with paper straws.

I can't cope with drinking milk if the glass isn't dry. Pouring milk into a wet glass creates a double layer. One slightly of water, the other milk. This has put me off milk since childhood.

I have to be a certain temperature to sleep and in the same position with a certain weight of blankets/ duvet. This never varies and has been a challenge since childhood.
The room has to be completely dark too.

Phone cords back in the day. Especially they were super coiled and you couldn't pick up the handset without resistance. I'd have to start my day unraveling them all. Occasionally I'd finish late so I could do the whole office.

I am a sensory seeker too.

I chew the little white lolly sticks from the little lolly pops. I don't eat the lolly I just need to chew the sticks.

I love the feel of cold marble or a wet cold stone patio slab on bare feet.

Deep pressure even to the point of pain will instantly send me to sleep. It's weird.

Swinging or rocking puts me into a state of deep relaxation.

I need to click and tap, I hadn't ever noticed it until I had my daughter. She hates me doing this so it's a daily reminder now.

I enjoy touch, firm massage. Light touch is irritating and avoided.

My autistic children are similar, they can't cope with duvet slippage so we get the soft coloured washable duvets from M&S and they don't have a cover at all.

And none of us can cope with wet cuffs.

Saracen · 06/03/2022 09:29

It's only been since knowing more people with major sensory issues that I have noticed I have minor sensory issues. It's quite useful to notice that some things cause me low-level stress, so I can avoid them and be more relaxed!

Mostly noise for me. Beeping of supermarket tills. Hum of machinery, even the fridge and computer at home, though power tools are worse. The hubbub at a party, especially if it's hard to understand the person I'm talking to or I have to raise my voice. Traffic - unfortunately I live on a main road and while we have double glazing, I notice the difference when I go to someone else's house. TV is a particular nuisance even if it is turned low.

PuppyPowerTool · 06/03/2022 10:05

Wet cuffs!! @Saracen definitely. And I didn't know about washable duvets...hope they make super king size ones!

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