Sensory Overload and Shutdowns: How Neurodivergent Therapy Can Help You Cope
Why Sensory Overload Happens
As humans, our brains are wired to take in sensory information from the environment and create meaning so that we can make decisions that keep us safe. This is a survival mechanism deeply ingrained in us that can literally save our lives in dangerous situations.
Let’s take noise as an example. If you’re out in the woods and hear a loud, high-pitched sound, it could be a predator getting ready to attack. So we immediately perk up and become intensely aware of our surroundings so that we can either run away or get ready to fight for our lives. This is often called the “fight or flight response.”
We use this knowledge of how the human brain operates in tons of different ways. A smoke alarm is a great example of this. Is that noise super annoying when the battery is running low and there’s no danger? Absolutely. But if there were a real fire in the house, that high-pitched and loud (and annoying) sound could wake us up in the middle of the night so we can escape. A car horn is also designed to grab our attention because, in a potentially dangerous situation, you may only have a split second to slam on the brakes or get out of the way to avoid a car crash.
So, overall, this is a fantastic and adaptive process that helps keep us alive. The issue is that the same process happens in the brain when we hear these noises, and we’re not in actual danger. So, when your phone rings and dings with constant notifications or you’re in a loud public space, your brain could be overloaded with sensory stimulation. The same goes for all of our senses: sight, smell, touch, and taste.
This is where neurodivergent therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, can make a real difference. For individuals who experience sensory input more intensely, therapy provides a safe space to explore these responses, understand how the brain processes stimuli, and build personalized strategies for managing sensory overload in everyday life.
Why Sensory Thresholds Differ in Neurodivergent Individuals
We all have different thresholds for how much sensory information we can take in before becoming overwhelmed by it. This threshold can change day to day or even moment to moment based on all sorts of factors. The point is, we all can reach a point where we’re completely overwhelmed by this sensory overload.
People who are neurodivergent often have a lower threshold for getting overwhelmed by sensory input. Therefore, they get into fight or flight mode more quickly and easily. Of course, everyone is different, so that’s not always the case, but many neurodivergent people find they are more easily overwhelmed by sensory stimulation than others.
What happens once you reach that sensory overload threshold can vary, but generally falls into one of two categories: activation and shutdown.
Activation is designed to get us up and moving in a dangerous situation. So we get ready to physically fight something/someone that poses a threat to our safety, or run away from them. In our modern-day lives, this can look like arguing, yelling, leaving the room, throwing things, pacing, or even being slightly more irritable than normal.
Shutdown can help keep us safe by limiting the exposure to the stimulus, or, in other words, the thing that’s causing the stress. For many people, this can look like hiding, isolating, or even a lack of motivation to talk to loved ones.
We all sometimes go into activation and sometimes go into shutdown mode, and most of us have a tendency to go into one over the other, but it varies.
How Neurodivergent Therapy Can Help You Cope with Sensory Overload
The first step is to get really familiar with your triggers, warning signs, and patterns. This means you and your affirming neurodivergent therapist take a deep dive into what triggers or initiates your sensory overload: loud sounds, crowds, silence, temperature, certain scents, people, situations, etc.
If we can work on reducing the chance of you being triggered, that’s great! But ultimately, the main purpose of understanding your triggers is to be aware of when you may get overwhelmed so you can handle it in a healthy way.
Then we look at warning signs. This means, how do you know you’re starting to get overwhelmed? Do you start pacing the room, fidgeting, talking louder or faster, feeling flushed, or have an urge to hide under the covers? Knowing these warning signs can help you (and your loved ones) intervene before the overwhelm escalates.
At Fuzzy Socks Therapy, we will also look at patterns of what you normally do when you get sensory overload, because that can give us some great information about what you need in those moments to regulate. So, for example, if you often stick to the least populated corner of a room at parties because of the noise of so many people talking, that tells us that you need to block out some of the sound, so a good coping skill could be to wear ear buds at parties so it’s not so overwhelming.
Determining the best coping strategies for you and creating a plan that works is all about understanding you as a unique individual.
Find Calm in a Noisy World with Neurodivergent Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ
At Fuzzy Socks Therapy, I understand how overwhelming the world can feel when you're constantly bombarded by sensory input. I offer personalized support to help you navigate daily life with more ease and confidence. If you're ready to feel more grounded, reach out today to begin your journey with neurodivergent therapy in Scottsdale, AZ. Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Meet with Lianna, an affirming Neurodivergent Therapist.
Begin finding peace in a noisy world!
Additional Counseling Services at Fuzzy Socks Therapy
At Fuzzy Socks Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ, I offer more than just neurodivergent therapy to help you with sensory overload. I provide comprehensive care tailored to your unique journey. I recognize that neurodivergence is just one piece of the puzzle, which is why my services are designed to support individuals and families in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for therapy for kids or teens, couples therapy, parent coaching, or youth social skills groups, I’m here to walk alongside you. Curious about how neurodivergent therapy could support your goals? Explore our newest blog post to learn more.
