Sensory Issues?

[supercal]

Hi
I put this in the 'Parents with Disabilities' section but have had no response, and can see that it's not a fast-moving topic. So I have put this in here, I hope you don't mind. I'd be very grateful for any responses.

I've seen references on MN to people having sensory issues. I can guess what that means, although don't know definitively.

However, I am wondering if I have sensory issues.

I hate being touched sometimes unless I know it's going to happen. I like to be touched in a specific way. I get VERY stressed if I get touched in a certain way - e.g. short strokes as opposed to long strokes. It feels almost painful and I have the urge to lash out violently to get the person away from me.

Yesterday at song group, a mother sat down next to me with her three kids, when there wasn't really space. Her youngest then kept accidentally kicking and knocking into me. I was getting incredibly stressed and didn't say anything because I knew I would sound too angry. If she comes to sit beside me again though, I will move though, as it really spoilt my enjoyment. What annoyed me most was that the mother didn't notice.

I also get very stressed by very loud noise, like my child having a screaming tantrum. When he does this, I sometimes have to leave the house (always when DH is there) so that I can calm down and control myself.

Does this sound like sensory issues?

I'd appreciate any guidance.

Yes it does, ds has sensory problems processing disorder. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_processing_disorder

Sensory issues can include
Visual - flickering lights, bright lights, tracking movement, etc
Auditory - loud noises, difficulty concentrating on conversation when there is background noise.
Tactile - Touch, heat, cold
Proprioceptive - sensory info recieved through muscles and joints.
Gustatory/oral - includes taste.

You can be hypo/or hyper under or oversensitive and it can be a mix so you could be oversensitive to some things and under to others.

These can lead to sensory overload i.e having to leave the house when baby is screaming.

I am not sure what help is out there tbh there isn't really any for children. You could try a private OT to assess and they can make some suggestions, this is all we have for ds although the OT was NHS.

I also have tactile problems I cannot bear light touch on my arms feel vile, after 11 years you would think dh has learned not to do it but oh no.

Supercal, definitely, yes.

supercal

following on from mum0fthree Wikipedia source you could also have a look at this 2009 research paper Perspectives on Sensory Processing Disorder: A Call for Translational Research
which is included in a collection of Sensory Processing Disorder research paper i have put together. And there is a lively Sensory Integration Group which you can join, which is now 8 years old

Thank you so much all

I feel - I dunno. A bit overwhelmed, a bit relieved.

It feels a good fit for me. I hate light touch. I have been known to come out of a massage in a murderous mood because I didn't enjoy it.

Not quite sure where I go from here though? Do I need a diagnosis? I'm assuming not. Is there treatment or stuff that can help, given I'm an adult?!
I will join the Sensory Integration Group - thanks for that, dolfrog

Depends if you think a diagnosis would add anything to your life.
I have major sensory sensitivities related to autism and I've found my own ways round things, but you may well find answers through specific therapies and methods. I find I'm absolutely ok with touch if a) I know it's about to happen and b) it's from someone I trust and c) it's done in a way I can cope with. So a gentle slow hug from a loved one is great, but a quick social-hug from a stranger can be like being punched - it hurts that much (because the brain wiring is temporarily overloaded and sort of gives itself an electric shock, as far as I can tell from research). For me, learning what works and what doesn't, and explaining that to people in my life, has helped.