Sensory overload triggers, signs and symptoms

Sensory Overload Triggers

Triggers can come from sights, sounds, smells, tastes and physical sensations. When people can identify their sensory triggers they may then also identify their sensory soothers/accommodations.

• Loud noises.
• Bright lights.
• Strong smells.
• Crowded spaces.
• High-frequency sounds or too many sounds.
• Certain textures.
• Extremes of temperature (hot or cold).
• Too much information at once.
• Intense emotions in the atmosphere.
• Too much task switching in a short period of time.
• Audio switching: e.g. switching between lecturers voice and video played in class and back to lecturer. *

Signs of Sensory Overload

• Heightened sensitivity to sounds, especially loud or sudden noises typical in the environment.
• Discomfort in brightly lit or fluorescently illuminated environments.
• Difficulty concentrating in settings with multiple stimuli, impacting work performance or daily tasks.
• Feeling overwhelmed in crowded places.
• Aversion to certain textures or fabrics that make selecting clothing or bedding challenging.
• Distress from strong/pervasive odours, affecting the ability to be in certain public spaces or use common household products.
• Physical discomfort or aversion to specific food textures and tastes, complicating meal preparation and dining out.
• Experiencing constant fatigue from the need to process an overload of sensory information, impacting energy levels for personal, academic and professional commitments.
• Increased irritability or anxiety in environments with sensory overload, affecting relationships and social interactions
• Physical symptoms like headaches or nausea in sensory-rich environments, alongside challenges such as finding the demands of being a student or managing adult responsibilities difficult due to sensory sensitivities. *

Symptoms of Sensory Overload

• Anxiety.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Physical symptoms e.g. headaches, muscle tension, fatigue.
• Physical movement e.g. pacing, leaving the room, rocking. Can also be fidgeting with fidget tools or pen/other item.
• Irritability, frustration, restless, feeling emotionally drained.
• Difficulty making decisions.
• Withdrawal from social situations, seeking solitude.
• Stimming to self-regulate.
• Sleep disturbance e.g. insomnia, restless sleep.
• Fatigue from being overloaded or from lack of sleep.
• Meltdowns or shutdowns (shutdown: feeling foggy/numbed out/disconnected). *

*Adapted with permission from Dr. Megan Neff’s Neurodivergent Insights