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Why Do I Get Overstimulated So Easily?
As an author, much of my life is spent at crowded bookstores, meeting readers and signing books. Sometimes I go to conventions, where sensory input is dialed up to eleven: cue buzzing lights, loud crowds, music, and bright colors.
Without fail, after any stressful author event, as an autistic person, I hit a point of overstimulation, where I reach a maximum capacity for sensory input. Often, I become overwhelmed and incapacitated, sometimes shutting down. It can take time to reduce overstimulation, but I’ve learned to anticipate my sensory needs, so I avoid it as much as possible.
Overstimulation is something that many people experience—especially those who are neurodivergent. In this article, we’ll cover why some people get more overstimulated than others, and how to take steps to support your unique brain the next time sensory input becomes overwhelming.
Alexithymia Explained: How It Works, How It Feels, and How to Get Support
Most people have likely had moments when they struggled to put emotions to words, or couldn't quite put their finger on how they were feeling internally, but when is it more than just a moment?
If feeling detached from your emotions is common for you, you could have alexithymia.
Alexithymia is defined as the challenge of naming, recognizing, and expressing emotions, at some point in one's life. Alexithymia may also manifest as difficulty or differences in identifying emotions vs. bodily sensations, such as thirst, instead construing it as anger or irritability.
I am autistic, and I often struggle with difficulty identifying my emotions and bodily states. For example, it is very difficult for me to identify when I’m hungry. If I wait too long to eat or fail to recognize the signs, I can grow frustrated and foggy, and often need the help of a checklist to identify the issue.
Many autistic individuals struggle with alexithymia. But autistic people aren’t the only ones who tangle with emotional difficulty: individuals with depression can struggle with recognizing their emotions, as can people with anxiety. Those with trauma–both physical and emotional–can also exhibit alexithymia. Alexithymia is also common among those with other neurodivergences, like ADHD.
In this article, we will explain what alexithymia is, its common characteristics, and how to develop strategies to both identify and ameliorate the condition.
How to Regulate Your Nervous System: A Guide for Autistic Adults
For me, nervous system dysregulation begins at the center of my body: a quaking, liquid feeling that leaves me unsettled. I have episodes of verbal shutdown, and may engage more in stimming: rocking back and forth, humming to myself, and bouts of anger that have no outlet. It’s in times like these that I try and re-center myself through deep breathing, reducing sensory input, and leaning on my support systems.
Autistic people often experience heightened nervous system responses, which can lead to dysregulation, especially in overwhelming environments. This can lead to chronic stress, shutdowns, meltdowns, and sensory overwhelm. Addressing dysregulation can improve quality of life, positively impacting physical health, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and mental health over all.
In this article, we’ll discuss tools to help autistic adults shift out of dysregulation and offer strategy suggestions to become more regulated and maintain equilibrium. However, as always, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new therapeutic techniques.
