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Imagine perceiving the world around you with greater intensity than other people, and everyday sensations form a symphony of overwhelm. This is the reality for many people with neurodivergence (ND). So it is for me and my family.โ
Consider this: When you wear jewelry, for example a ring, are you always aware that you’re wearing it? What about your clothes – are you always aware of them?
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Most likely you aren’t aware of it. Our nervous system is able (when regulated) to block out neutral sensations, such as the feeling of the chair you’re sitting on, the temperature of the room, or background noise. This allows us to focus on the important things in life.
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Now let’s imagine that we’re neurodivergent (ND) and have strong sensory sensitivities. Perhaps touch, sound, light or certain smells are overwhelming or even painful. Some sensory experiences may even trigger a fight or flight response. For example, if someone touches me lightly on the skin, I immediately feel hostile. If I apply pressure to the area that was touched, I can calm down.
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In my opinion, part of the problem is that our ND nervous system is unable to block out neutral sensations such as those mentioned above. As a result, we hear every noise, are constantly distracted by every shiny object because it seems important, and constantly change our position on the chair as soon as our body feels even the slightest bit uncomfortable.
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For these reasons, taking control of your environment (when possible) is critical to your self-care, especially as it relates to your mental health. I work from home, in an armchair with low lighting and a fan.
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It’s one of the reasons I don’t make much of an effort to leave my house. I experience the world much more intensely. My auditory-tactile synesthesia turns a noisy environment into a sensory overload.
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Understanding and accepting your sensory differences can do a lot to improve your quality of life. It’s also important for society to accommodate different sensory needs so that everyone can be more comfortable and meaningful in their community and in the world.
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I lead a simple life, and make it work, always doing my best.
