
Humans are born with five basic senses: sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch.
These senses help you navigate through the world by interpreting a wide range of external stimuli.
For instance, your sight relies on your eyes to interpret visual stimuli before sending that information back to your brain.
For most people, this process occurs naturally and without incident.
However, people with sensory processing disorder have trouble accurately organizing and interpreting sensory information.
As a result, they can experience increasing levels of anxiety and related mental health challenges.
At New Horizons Wellness Services, we offer both occupational therapy for adults and occupational therapy for children.
These services are designed to help people of all ages experiencing sensory processing disorder.
Additionally, we also provide services to those seeking a clinical psychologist in Tigard Oregon with a special interest in sensory processing challenges and related anxiety.
Are you interested in hearing more about the link between anxiety and sensory processing disorder?
You’ve come to the right place.
Let’s take a closer look.
A Quick Overview Of Anxiety Disorders
We’ve previously discussed mental health help for anxiety disorders.
Haven’t read that article yet or need a quick refresher?
Not to worry, we have you covered.
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States.
They cause severe, chronic worry surrounding everyday life events.
These worries are often disproportionate to reality.
For instance, people with anxiety disorders frequently worry about things that are unlikely to happen.
Anxiety disorders come in a variety of different shapes and forms.
Some of the most common types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Phobias
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Substance use anxiety disorder
Each type of anxiety disorder presents with unique symptoms and challenges.
For instance, people with agoraphobia often experience anxiety in crowded spaces, whereas phobias trigger an anxiety response when faced with a specific fear, such as spiders.
Common anxiety disorder symptoms may include:
- Feeling nervous or restless
- Feeling as if you’re in immediate danger
- Racing heart rate
- Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Insomnia
- Concentration difficulties
- Appetite changes
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea or diarrhea
- Chronic fatigue
The one thing that every anxiety disorder has in common is that they have the potential to drastically alter or impact your everyday life.
If you’re living with an anxiety disorder, you might avoid places, experiences, and things that cause anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are caused by a variety of factors.
These include:
- Psychological trauma
- Certain medications, such as stimulants
- Genetic predisposition
- Brain chemistry
- Stress
- Environmental influences, such as poverty or social isolation
- Certain medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes
A Quick Overview Of Sensory Processing Disorder
Now, let’s turn our attention to sensory processing disorder, a neurological disorder that can impair your reaction to sensory input.
People with this condition experience a disconnect between sensory stimuli and their brain’s interpretation of said stimuli.
As a result, sensory processing disorder can cause either a over or under sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
For instance, someone with sensory processing disorder might interpret sounds or touch much more powerfully than people without this condition.
Subsequently, a variety of symptoms may emerge.
Symptoms of sensory processing disorder amongst babies include:
- Sleeping disturbances
- Sensitivity to textures surrounding clothing and toys
- Delayed pain response
- Becoming upset during cuddling or tummy time
- Being easily startled
- Hyperactivity
- Delayed vocalizations
- Delayed crawling, standing, and walking
Symptoms of sensory processing disorder amongst children include:
- Potty training challenges
- Picky eating
- Motor skill delay
- Mood swings and temper tantrums
- Social challenges and isolation
- Educational challenges
- Restlessness
- Rough play or over sensitivity to touch
- Reading impairments
- Task orientation challenges
- Frequent car sickness
Symptoms of sensory processing disorder amongst adults include:
- Physical contact avoidance
- Chronic fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Clumsiness
- Restlessness
- Concentration difficulties
- Reading comprehension challenges
- Absentmindedness
- Low stress tolerance
Currently, the exact cause of sensory processing disorder remains unknown.
However, some experts believe it could have something to do with problems during fetal development or genetic predisposition.
Sensory Overload: When Anxiety And Sensory Processing Disorder Collide
Sensory processing disorder often leads to sensory overload.
During sensory overload, many people experience overstimulation and an associated feeling of intense anxiety.
It’s caused by your brain’s inability to keep up with all the competing sensory information within a given environment.
For instance, some people experience sensory overload in loud, crowded spaces with an abundance of sensory stimulation, such as a music concert or crowded shopping center.
In many cases, this feeling of anxiety becomes paralyzing and can impair your ability to function within your everyday life.
Unlike other forms of anxiety, repeated exposure isn’t helpful for people experiencing sensory overload.
Therefore, people with sensory processing disorder often avoid things, places, and experiences where they might experience sensory overload.
What Does Sensory Overload Feel Like?
Sensory overload can cause a variety of symptoms.
Examples include:
- Chronic stress and anxiety
- Confusion
- Focus difficulties
- Mood swings and irritability
- Intrusive thoughts
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Balance and coordination difficulties
- Dilated pupils
- Lethargy
- Flushed face
- Body shaking
- Rigid posture
- Chest tightness
- Chronic panic attacks
At New Horizons Wellness Services, we can help you manage and reduce your symptoms.
How Can An Occupational Therapist Help With Sensory Overload?
Occupational therapists have an abundance of tools at their disposal to help people of all ages living with sensory processing disorder and sensory overload.
At New Horizons Wellness Services, we can help you identify and manage your sensory challenges and help you get back to your various roles in life.
Occupational therapy for sensory overload looks somewhat different depending on your age.
For children, occupational therapy is largely play focused.
Your child’s occupational therapist will encourage your child to interact and play with a sensory rich environment.
The ultimate goal is to foster healthy responses to various sensory stimuli.
Over time, your child will learn how to incorporate what they’ve learned in occupational therapy to their various environments.
In contrast, occupational therapy for adults with sensory overload focuses on a variety of factors, such as:
- Educational components
- Identifying sensory triggers
- Applying task or environmental modifications
- Practicing coping techniques
Ultimately, your occupational therapist will help you manage feelings of anxiety surrounding sensory overload.
How Can A Clinical Psychologist Help With Sensory Overload?
At New Horizons Wellness Services, we also provide clinical psychology services for people experiencing sensory overload.
Your psychologist can help you develop skills to deal with sensory triggers.
They can also diagnose and treat any underlying mental health conditions, such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum
- Depression
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Book Your Appointment With New Horizons Wellness Services Today
Sensory processing disorder and sensory overload can feel overwhelming and isolating.
But you don’t have to go through it alone.
At New Horizons Wellness Service, we want to take some of the burden off your shoulders.
Our variety of services are aimed at helping people with sensory processing disorder overcome their challenges and life happy, fulfilling lives.
Give us a call to explore your options.
Book your appointment with New Horizons Wellness Services today to get started on a less overwhelming tomorrow.
Yours in Health,
New Horizons Wellness Services13333 SW 68th Pkwy,
Tigard, OR 97223
- https://g.page/newhws
New Horizons Wellness Services provides a true multidisciplinary approach to mental & physical health treatments for children, adults and families.