SENSORY OVERLOAD AND HOW TO DEAL WITH OVERSTIMULATION | DR. KIM SAGE

This video describes the experience of overstimulation (sensory overload), what might trigger sensory overload, and what we can do as individuals and parents when we feel overstimulated.

****FOR MORE INFORMATION ONLINE COURSES AND FREE CHECKLIST:

**************************

Please check out my courses (LINK ABOVE):

1. BORDERLINE AND NARCISSISTIC PARENTS: HEALING AND DEALING WITH YOUR TRAUMA

(*This course is designed specifically for you if you were raised by parents who had Narcissistic, Borderline or significantly Emotionally Immature parents.)

2. RE-MOTHERED: TRANSFORM YOUR WOUNDED INNER CHILD INTO AN INTERNALIZED, LOVING "MOTHER"

(***This course is designed to help you learn to heal your inner child AND your inner parent if you experienced a complicated childhood or challenging relational wounds).

3. IDENTIFYING CHILDHOOD EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT (FREE COURSE)

CHECKLIST IS INCLUDED IN ALL 3 COURSES!!**

xo

* Additionally, I am only able to work with California residents (due to state licensing and insurance requirements for myself) for weekly therapy once available. If you are interested, please also add in a few brief details in your email including your reasons for seeking treatment, current diagnoses, concerns, etc.

[sunshine]

I’ve been this way my whole life; people talking too much /loudly, sirens/ fire engines, lawnmowers, too much news, a neighbor that makes noise

[johnbyerlein]

I have autism and i find that many people are inconsiderate and are annoying noisemakers. I often wear noise canceling headphones. Too many people are nothing more than mindless chatterboxes.

[Catscalligraphy]

Chronic illness makes me feel like I’m in a state of fight or flight. I feel overstimulated all the time; sometimes when the phone rings, I will jump. This is an important video and I appreciate you discussing this topic.

[mothwings]

I just realized that the reason why I would have a headache (in the temples) every day after school in elementary school was from overstimulation.

[thecourageouschristian]

I have been wearing ear plugs, it helps me, especially if you voice your feelings to someone and the person dismisses your feelings.

[djer]

If I had to choose one of your videos to bookmark to watch over and over again, it might be this one. What a helpful resource and reminder about how and why we might get triggered in our day-to-day, along with a whole laundry list of tools to help get re-regulated, mixed in with a healthy dose of self-compassion and realness. As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

[jameswayton]

I have autism en CPTSD. The battery of my mind drains at least three times faster then it should. I don't know how to live like this.

[annastone]

Schools and open plan offices are horrific environments for people with sensitive nervous systems.

Equally those same places are a Paradise for:
- people who use others to get narcisstic supply
- people who like to get ego boosts through dominating others..
- people who benefit from having a captive audience

My whole life seems to have been one long miserable experience of being trapped with mediocre, idiotic people - first in school and then work.

And no it didn’t develop my social skills, I was naturally a reciprocal, cooperative intelligent person. What it taught me was that the lowest common denominator rules, that my needs or talent doesn’t matter, that the loudest characters get their way and I will be forced to endure them, just to survive.

If there’s anything I’d change about my life - it would be that I would have found a way to earn a living early in my career that would have allowed me to avoid such environments.

[allwellandgood]

Oh my goodness this is so validating Dr Sage! How amazing your daughter is able to vocalise this in such a clear way. I will communicate this better with my teens 🙏 Yes to every single trigger you list! I cannot tell you how much it has helped my anxiety levels in the last year to have deleted my social media accounts, never watch the news, begin an enjoyable work from home job and my youngest starting high school so gets the bus now. It has transformed how I am able to cope with sensory overload and time pressure and I'm so so grateful to have more control to create an environment of calm and wellbeing with soft lighting and sounds, aromatherapy and my cat by my side. I'm so much calmer for my family when they get home. I would add to your list of regulation tips..watching your videos!! You have such a lovely, grounding and supportive presence, I often come to your channel when I feel in need of regulation and support..including your older videos, they are great!❤

[peaceknot]

Yes, this was happening with me at work for most of the day. Being tired and hormonal always make me more susceptible to overload/overwhelm. Combine that with too much to do, too many details, noise and time constraints. Very glad to be home now!

[ladeutschevitabyGraziaCosta]

Every aspect of my surroundings, from lights, texture and sounds to specific scents and even unpleasant aesthetics can affect me and, must be meticulously curated. This leads people to perceive me as snobbish, which I am not 😢 I need order, beauty and harmony all the time. I had to recreate a world that I can tolerate so I can live. That has impacted every aspect of my life, from where I choose to live to my career and relationships.

[sandella]

I think I’ve felt this way as a tiny child. Only child…very stern mom, very stern grandmother, dad always working…favorite moments were spending time in the vegetable garden with my grandfather, hanging with my dogs, and talking to my nice, not loud imaginary friends. Mom and her mom…yelling a lot…hated it. I guess they were both raised that way.
Spent first 6 months of kindergarten back in cloak room alone .. teachers couldn’t get me to come out. So many loud, obnoxious kids running and yelling…I felt so sad…as bad as it was at home at times…I just wanted to go home……..so..the teachers tell my mom..and she yells at me that I must stay out with these kids..in the classroom. Omg. She didn’t speak gently or quietly..my mom yelled…like her mom.
I’ve always felt like this really. Single parent…crazy ex with mental issues after his dad passed..and I already had 2 tiny girls. I lost my dad when I was 16..cared for my mom and went to school. My mom became severely depressed. So was I…but I had to be strong. Always caring for others who need me. Born this way.
Worked hectic full time job for 46 yrs. Helped raise all my 5 grandkids..after my younger daughter passed away 12 yrs ago. Traumatic. Like when my dad died at 41 yrs old. Heart issues..like everyone else in my family.
Also fostered/adopted shelter dogs/cats. No child support or help from ex or his family…but they went on cruises and lived in huge homes. The marriage didn’t work out because of my ex….not me.
And I survived and I protected/loved my little girls. Teen years were tough..and constant harassment from ex. Never remarried…dated a bit..omg…no energy or time for drama. Drama overstimulates me.
Diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue at 40, but kept pushing myself.
Having a drink helped. I didn’t fit in with my co workers. Had to socialize at times…hated it..but one teensy drink turned me into an extrovert, a comedian…made everyone happy….I was hysterical. Never tried recreational drugs. Stopped drinking about 26 years ago. Allergic. Still funny..I’m really funny at times.., but I don’t need any substances to be happy…or funny.
Grandkids all grown up..all busy..3 great grand babies …2 weeks apart..they’re almost 3 months old.
I live alone..and I’ve been around for over 75 yrs.
COVID…tho scary…was not an issue. Loved being in lockdown.
I love my solitude..my outside critters I feed..my garden plants…but I’m a tiny woman. Auto immune issues, anemia, glucose issues, weird stuff…but I’m still grateful for what I’m able to do in my tiny home.
Barely see the family..and/or neighbors. Some days I’m just grateful I got out of bed and did some stretching. Also..took in 2 sickly stray cats (inside cats now) years ago. They’re still with me. 14/15 feral cats outside (all tnrd)..they’ve been cared for, by me, for 10 years.
No one…understands how quickly I become overstimulated when going to doctors…grocery shopping or to visit family (which isn’t often).
I feel as if I cherish my solitude and watching peaceful wild life/nature videos on you tube. Soothing. Love non humans..always have,
Feeling overstimulated … not a fan. My son in law likes blasting his music, so I don’t go there but once/twice a year, it’s exhausting being around lots of people (tho I adore and love my family). Financially, emotionally, physically I’m pretty much drained..but I’m still grateful, kind, loving and I believe I was born possessing way way too much empathy.
Thank you for this video. I get it. I meditate…stretch…sometimes rest…sometimes have more energy and do too much…both outside and inside. Try to pace myself. I’ve passed out a few times from glucose levels/anemia…but didn’t break any bones yet. Weird feeling tho. I have to stand up slowly and not overdo.
I am so able to relate to this subject. I’m not working now, barely see anyone .. except for feral cats, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, birds, etc…. I talk to them. They’re so very quiet and calming,
I don’t know why I felt I had to ‘fit in’…but I don’t feel this way much anymore. Feels great to just love from afar..and see family when I’m able.
No handy man. That’s an issue, not much money to repair stuff, but….in an instant, I could be gone. All of my family has died of heart problems at very young ages.
Why I’m still here, I have no idea. But I have 3 beautiful great grand babies. Haven’t held a baby in 22 years.
Nothing quite like the smell, the touch, the feel of holding a teeny baby…I love that warm glowing energy which seems to arise within me. They’re growing up fast.
Thanx again…I don’t read much about getting overstimulated. Maybe no one talks about it…I never checked. Your channel just popped up. New subscriber here. Great video. 💥💫🫶👍🙏🏻❤️

[vanessaskin]

I deal with this a lot. Walking into Ikea for example is a lot. Malls can be overwhelming. As well as festivals. I went to this very cool art immersive show and I was there max 1.5hrs and I just done. the car ride home I wanted to be in silence.

[tuijanordstrom]

Not being alone is such a validation. Thank you for this wonderful video, including the importance of comfy clothing at home🤗

[elizabethcomer]

Thank you for saying Disney. I have felt bad for years for crying in the castle. Thank you for validating my experience.

[normamartinez]

What about misophonia? Is it related to trauma? Do you know anything about it? I struggle with noises, smells and lights. People think I am exagerating. Thanks for sharing.

[bhhNC]

...yeah, and besides the many olfactory & auditory simu-stims, it may also be too warm/cold, clothing is itchy or footwear uncomfortable, oncoming headlights or sun sun are too bright, there are moving shadows in environment ... not all threatening, but present in some way and 'flavoring time'. The kind of WHOA! immediate reactions in these settings that you describe are spot on.

[KarmasAbutch]

I know that everyone thinks BOSE quiet comfort noise cancelling headphones are “expensive” but I asked myself -how much is my sanity worth?- now I own the over ear and the earbuds too and they’ve been an absolute lifesaver to ensure you get downtime to recharge after time in traffic or a busy social hub.

[Missndallensworth]

Thank you for the putting to words how I have been feeling with 2 toddlers. Versus beating myself up as a bad mom and craving space

[rbtdlwy]

As someone who is bipolar, I’ve noticed I like a lot of stimulation as I’m riding a little higher on mania but then get to a breaking point when I can’t take it anymore. Can anyone else relate?