What Sensory Overload Feels Like for People with PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) results in sensory overload and is exhausting. I often describe PTSD as a brain at war with itself, fighting and pulling different parts of your mind in all directions. The thoughts, worries, and instincts circling through your head can get so loud at times that it makes you want to cover your ears.
With so much going on inside the minds of people with PTSD, it's natural for them to feel overstimulated by the outside world. Much like those with autism or ADHD, people suffering from PTSD can experience sensory processing issues as they navigate their day-to-day lives.
What PTSD-Related Sensory Overload Feels Like
One of the main symptoms of PTSD is hypervigilance, or constantly being on guard. It's more than just being jumpy or easily startled. People with PTSD are always searching for signs of danger.
There are times when it is normal and appropriate to be on high alert, such as when you're walking to your car alone late at night. For people with PTSD, every situation demands that high alert, whether or not it is actually needed.
Being on guard 24/7 is exhausting. Because I look and listen for danger all the time, I force my brain to take in massive amounts of input every day. Sensory overload tends to happen when my brain is struggling to take in everything I'm shoving at it. This happens in crowds more often than not, where there are so many sights, sounds, and smells that I can't process them all.
When sensory overload hits, it feels like someone has turned up the volume in my life. The lights start to seem too bright; the noises, too loud. Conversations around me become louder and louder until I feel like I need to cover my ears to make it stop. It's very uncomfortable, and it makes dealing with public settings much more difficult.
How to Cope with Sensory Overload in PTSD
The good news about sensory overload in PTSD is that there are a number of ways to deal with it. It's an experience shared by many types of people, and there are tools and resources that can help reduce the anxiety it causes.
The best way to deal with sensory overload is to be prepared for it. Over time, I've come to accept that sensory overload due to PTSD is a part of my life, and I know the times and places when it is likely to happen. By being prepared for it, I've made navigating my day-to-day life a little easier.
The biggest thing that helps me when I'm experiencing sensory overload is finding a quiet place to be alone. It's not always easy to do this, but you can get creative when you need some alone time. Anything from a bathroom stall to a corner of the room can be a quick respite from the noise and activity of your surrounding environment.
If you're at a social event or party and are feeling overwhelmed, step outside for a few moments. If you're at work, sit in a bathroom stall and cover your eyes and ears for a couple of minutes. It can sound silly to people who don't understand, but what's important is if it works for you.
Sensory overload is an experience shared by people with PTSD and all different sorts of trauma. It can feel uncomfortable or even scary, but it's a natural reaction to an overactive brain. Learning to accept its place in your life is the first step to overcoming it and adapting to the noise. Little by little, you can find peace in the chaos.
How do you deal with sensory overload due to PTSD? Share your thoughts in the comments.
APA Reference
Avery, B.
(2020, January 7). What Sensory Overload Feels Like for People with PTSD, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 21 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/traumaptsdblog/2020/1/what-sensory-overload-feels-like-for-people-with-ptsd
Author: Beth Avery
Don’t worry, Garvin. I agree with you; for the most part. I have had, mostly, the same experience you have had. I did, however, find a Christian therapist once that, even though she wasn’t able to help, the fact that she shared the love of God with me, did; and she tried her best. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of bad Christian therapists out there, too. However, don’t give up. I am currently in the Catholic Church, and praying to Our Blessed Virgin Mother, Mary, for her intercession with her son, Jesus; and it’s helping. As for the medication, I know, it sucks. However, that’s trial and error, also. God bless you, brother. Pray the Rosary!!!
I have PTSD from Intimate partner abuse and I was divorced in 2006. I spent 15 yrs alone before marrying by present husband. Before we married I told him about my issues and that I needed quiet surroundings. He said he understood. But 3 mos. after we married he started making loud annoying noises and talking loudly to himself among many other irritating noises all day every day and my anxiety level causes my stomach to hurt and triggers migraines.
I mention that his noise drive me crazy and he does nothing to change. He has also started sucking his teeth.....
If I'm at work and feeling overwhelmed on break I go to my car (heavily tinted windows) and listen to a mindfulness meditation for as long as break is. That (WITH PRACTICE) helps me focus on my body and calm down. It helps stop the reoccurring thoughts and is a reset. I've made a point that I don't talk to others on break. Breaks are my time that I can recenter.
YouTube has some great ones. You can find the right style and voice. Personally I like a calm voice that doesn't go into "energy" and crap but just talks about focusing on your breathing and tension. It's free off YT so give it a go. I don't have horrible meltdowns so I can't speak for a level 10 situation but at a personal level 7/8 where I'm getting a stress head ache it helps bring me down to a level I can get my work done.
Earplugs!! Red glasses at night because the colour red calms the brain down. Quiet time. Ocean. Ocean\water sounds. Nature, grounding. Cuddling with pets. Lots of sunshine(or Vit D when not available). Sleep, power naps. CBD.
Interesting I came across this article about sensory overload. It is exactly the word I would use to describe what I feel to my neurologist. I was given PTSD from an assault that happened in 2021 and it has been a year on Nov. 2022. Though I have experienced a lot of symptoms and have analyzed myself as more of an introvert but can become an extrovert in my work environment I did not expect to have experienced what I did Dec. 2022. I noticed with all the Christmas activity and being in a customer service I realized my body shutting down when I took a step as I started to fall which felt almost like a faint. Of course I was scared of what was happening due to the inability to move but trying to understand why it happened only made sense that I had been doing too much than I was able to handle while in recovery from my mild TBI. Did not actually expect something to happen but I find great closure in finding this article as it helps me cope with the fact that it can be normal. I find myself to be good at understanding myself and what I need. Thank you all for sharing.
So good to read these experiences! My friends don't really understand how shopping in a busy store, or people walking too close or accidently bumping in to me, or noises and light are all very overwhelming for me and make me lash out. Afterwards I feel guilty, but in the moment this is all I can do. My friendd are embarassed of me because of this. Have been diagnosed with cptsd a few years back. My therapist fell ill 2 years ago. Have been without one, because I always think I can handle things by myself. Since covid and college graduation things are hard again. My mood is mostly being annoyed or being intolerant to stimuli. Started looking for a therapist again! Things will get better soon. Don't give up and always keep going!
I want to acknowledge that unethical mental health care is a huge source of trauma for a lot of people. Not all "doctors" are good. Some of them are abusers. Some are actually good. It's complicated. Both types exist, and people in our country conversation have experienced both
I use aromatherapy often. Scents are a big trigger for me so countering a scent that causes me anxiety with something like lavender essential oil (i have my own faves but lavender seems to be a good one for most people) helps me a lot.
Someone else mentioned mints or gum, those also help me sometimes, something a little "shocking" like a starburst candy can work for me.
Lastly, if I am just at home having one of these moments, putting on my headphones and playing an immersive (and chill) video game helps me. I always recommend Zelda breath of the wild. It's simple and if you turn up your headphones you can block out the outside world and just listen to the nature sounds as you roam around. (And then if you feel like it go fight some baddies).
Those work for me. I hope this helps someone else.
I agree on seeking therapy or at least learning skills to manage cPTSD. I steered clear of asking for outside help for YEARS, until COVID sent me into a new low. I didn't want a diagnosis and I don't take medicine due to how it always affects me and dr's never listen to my request for older medicines or the fact that my body is very sensitive to medicines. Anyway, I was having suidicidal thoughts daily. And, although I didn't think I'd do it, I was scared that I may and sought out help. She heard me when I said I don't take medicines. She told me that cPTSD typically does not benefit from medicine. That we need to learn new skills to manage it. 8 months later, I am happy, no longer suicidal and I've found myself through the journey. Many things make more sense now. Please note, I'm 47 years old and its the first time I went to talk therapy completely honest. I'm not hypervigilant 24/7. I'm a new version of myself and am VERY happy I found a good therapist to help me through. There are so many out there just looking to make money off of you however they can. Mine said she thinks unless I feel I need to work on something more, that we are done meeting. That was very good news and reinforced that she isn't just stringing me along for money. ;-)
Thank you for this. It gives me a little hope. But how did you find them? Do they work on zoom? I really need a good therapist or counsellor but I'm reluctant because of bad experiences awful ones in the past. Is yours in America? Regards. Robert
Mind beacon really helped me after year of fighting grief and PTSD worked back and forth through email
I was quite overwhelmed recently going into Costco and, recognizing that I was in the midst of ups cycling into a panic attack, asked a manager to assign a assistant shopper to me to help me navigate due to my brain injury. They were awesome about it. The assistant shopper helped me to find things and move very efficiently through the grocery aisles and teaching me how to plan my shopping for next time if I want to do it on my own but I could always ask for help.
i find this of interest. would you know if stores like Walmart have staff that can be assigned to assist someone with PTSD.
I'm shocked AND elated to hear of such a service being offered as an Assistant Shopper! .. I'm literally a dizzy & fragmented mess during and after grocery store trips. My head spins with the combination of way too much motion around me, far too many items invading my focus when attempting to locate things on my list. The bright lights, the store music and intercom announcements, trying to learn the deli ordering 'technology' had me standing there in tears one day (when finally some lovely customer very patiently helped me through the process). I have CPTSD and brain injury, significant hearing loss in left ear and my eyes don't work well together. I wear glasses for reading and have to put them on/take them off during the entire shopping experience. The migraines that come on and disorientation that ensues, even on a good day, can shred the week sending me to the ER or straight to bed when I get home. I drive with both hands on the wheel and try to maintain a fixed gaze on the road en-route home but obviously still have unloading and storage of groceries ahead of me. Recently, I asked for help from an employee in locating an item. After we'd spent about 10 minutes looking together I asked another passing employee for her assistance.. She said, "He can help you just as well as I can!" as though I had a personal problem with my first 'helper'. I then had to explain that he couldn't locate it either and that I'm certain the store carries heavy cream. Emotionally, trips to the grocery store can take days to recuperate from. I like my therapist and feel as though the frustrated pitch of my voice in our sessions has calmed over time. Most people aren't skilled in dealing with folks with disabilities nor do they know how to even recognize a struggling individual or want to intrude on the space of another, especially if they appear to Need some space. Overwhelming is a word that only touches on the actual experience of individuals with CPTSD and other disorders. I'm going to check with my regular store today to see if they offer Assistant Shoppers. Thank you, Rob, for speaking of your experience.
Nothing is a sure fix for everyone, but my go to is eating something chewy like a toffee or a chewy mint (ie Minties). For me, this gives me something other than the sounds/light to focus on and takes my mind off my triggers. :)
Sometimes I play classical music on my earbuds to mask the loud noises that happen outside my office or down the hall. But that can be overwhelming sometimes too. At family or friends’ home so it is nice to pick a quiet space even if just excusing myself to go to the bathroom or walk outside like I’m taking a call.
I sleep alot. Don't want to wake up. Enjoy dreams. I am tired of being alone at home due to Covid. Look forward to a short day, that's why I sleep a long time in the morning.
This is a very fortunate option. I am exhausted, but sleeping is no comfort - the dreams are like torture. Then, I have to get up every day and pretend like I don't go there every night. Get up and start working like nothing happened.
I use ear plugs where ever I am at, when I'm driving walking in the grocery store, when I am at home and my kids are running around. I can still hear with them but everything is way quieter and gives my senses a break.
Tried that for 30 years. Never worked, almost killed me. Try something else like seeing a doctor.
Yes, you should definitely trust your health to an idiot who memorized enough to pass the boards and then couldn't get into a real medical specialty. Also, the fact that they will invariably prescribe you a medication that you don't need from a pharmaceutical company that they'll receive compensation for giving you their brand of poison. Check out some of the ingredients and side-effects of some of those SSRIs or SNRIs. I'm aware that most individual will never experience symptoms from those medications - and if you have the illness that you claim to have any expertise concerning, they you'd realize that those 10mg of pro-lexa-zol-whatever are not valid prescriptions. But, the kind of clinician you're referring to has no business calling itself a doctor, demonstrated by its repeated behavior - handing out pills to people who don't need them, irrespective of the social, ethical, or clinical results. Yeah, go see a doctor bro. Dude, you are the problem.
Whoa dude. That was completely unnecessary. Sorry you have had issues with unethical physicians, honestly, I am, at the same time there is some massive generalization going on in your post and some clear hostility directed at someone who more than likely doesn't deserve it. "Alcohol didn't work for me, see a Doctor" is perfectly sound advice. They didn't say "alcohol didn't work for me, pop some pills". "Doctor" encompasses lots of roles...including psychologists...you know, the talk therapy people who don't have the prescription writing credentials...so maybe take a step back before commenting next time. Your attack was completely unwarranted and off base.