Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSensory Processing DisorderSymptoms of OverloadSymptoms of SPDCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Sensory Processing Disorder
Symptoms of Overload
Symptoms of SPD
Causes
Treatment
Sensory overload is a feeling of anxiety that happens when you experience too much sensory input. It is a common feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This article will review the reasons why people with ADHD are prone to sensory overload, triggers, and how to cope.
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ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder
Sensory processing disorder is very common in people withattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). In fact, up to 60% of those with ADHD also have at least some of the symptoms of SPD.
ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood, but around 60% of those diagnosed with ADHD as children will continue to experience symptoms as adults. Additionally, up to 41% of those diagnosed with ADHD as children will have some sort of ADHD-related functional impairment as adults.
Research has shown that children with ADHD tend to be over-responsive to stimulation, such as bright lights, strong smells, loud sounds, or certain physical sensations, which can cause them to experience sensory overload.Sensory sensitivity often persists into adulthood. Research has also found that adults with ADHD tend to report more sensory sensitivity than adults without ADHD.
A few of the symptoms of ADHD can make you more sensitive to sensory input, such as:
What Does Sensory Overload Feel Like?
When a person with ADHD experiences sensory overload, they can become so fixated on a certain sensation, that they’re often unable to turn their attention away from the stimuli or focus on other tasks. This can make it difficult to meet expectations at school or work.
People experiencing sensory overload can have a range of emotional and physical symptoms. Not everyone will respond to sensory overload in the same way. Some of the symptoms you may experience include:
A Word From VerywellSensory overload is like living in a world with the volume turned all the way up. Sounds, sights, and sensations are intensified. It can be really challenging to navigate through life with all that noise.—ELLE MARKMAN, PSYD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Sensory overload is like living in a world with the volume turned all the way up. Sounds, sights, and sensations are intensified. It can be really challenging to navigate through life with all that noise.—ELLE MARKMAN, PSYD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Sensory overload is like living in a world with the volume turned all the way up. Sounds, sights, and sensations are intensified. It can be really challenging to navigate through life with all that noise.
—ELLE MARKMAN, PSYD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder
Some people with sensory processing disorder underreact to sense stimuli, which can cause them to seek out more intense forms of stimulation. But more commonly, particularly in people with ADHD, this disorder causes hypersensitivity to sensory information. This can present differently among individuals, but some common symptoms include:
These symptoms might seem minor, but they can be severe enough to interfere with a person’s day-to-day functioning.In severe cases, sensory overload can lead to nutritional deficiencies or missing school, so it’s important to address the symptoms.
Sensory Overload Triggers
Treatment and Coping
ADHD istreatedwith a combination of medications and behavioral interventions. Treatment for sensory overload can be integrated into this protocol.
The best treatment for a sensory processing disorder issensory integration therapy, which can be incorporated into physical or occupational therapy.Under this therapy, a person is exposed to sensory stimuli and learns how to respond appropriately.
If you’re trying to address sensory processing and ADHD for yourself or your child, try these steps:
Summary
Sensory processing disorder is common in people with ADHD. This condition causes problems processing sensory input.
People with sensory processing disorder may experience sensory overload in situations where there is a lot of noise, bright flashing lights, crowds, or other sensory input. Sensory overload may cause disordered thoughts, anxiety, panicky sensations, or physical symptoms like nausea and sweating.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galiana-Simal A, Vela-Romero M, Romero-Vela VM, et al.Sensory processing disorder: Key points of a frequent alteration in neurodevelopmental disorders.Cogent Med. 2020;7(1):1736829. doi:10.1080/2331205X.2020.1736829Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620Lane SJ, Reynolds S.Sensory over-responsivity as an added dimension in ADHD.Front Integr Neurosci. 2019;13:40. doi:10.3389/fnint.2019.00040Kamath MS, Dahm CR, Tucker JR, Huang-Pollock CL, Etter NM, Neely KA.Sensory profiles in adults with and without ADHD.Res Dev Disabil. 2020;104:103696. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103696Understood.org.ADHD and sensory overload.Attention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & sensory overload: Managing overstimulation in a fast-paced world.University of Michigan Health.Sensory processing disorder.STAR Institute.Understanding sensory processing disorder.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Galiana-Simal A, Vela-Romero M, Romero-Vela VM, et al.Sensory processing disorder: Key points of a frequent alteration in neurodevelopmental disorders.Cogent Med. 2020;7(1):1736829. doi:10.1080/2331205X.2020.1736829Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620Lane SJ, Reynolds S.Sensory over-responsivity as an added dimension in ADHD.Front Integr Neurosci. 2019;13:40. doi:10.3389/fnint.2019.00040Kamath MS, Dahm CR, Tucker JR, Huang-Pollock CL, Etter NM, Neely KA.Sensory profiles in adults with and without ADHD.Res Dev Disabil. 2020;104:103696. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103696Understood.org.ADHD and sensory overload.Attention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & sensory overload: Managing overstimulation in a fast-paced world.University of Michigan Health.Sensory processing disorder.STAR Institute.Understanding sensory processing disorder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Galiana-Simal A, Vela-Romero M, Romero-Vela VM, et al.Sensory processing disorder: Key points of a frequent alteration in neurodevelopmental disorders.Cogent Med. 2020;7(1):1736829. doi:10.1080/2331205X.2020.1736829Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620Lane SJ, Reynolds S.Sensory over-responsivity as an added dimension in ADHD.Front Integr Neurosci. 2019;13:40. doi:10.3389/fnint.2019.00040Kamath MS, Dahm CR, Tucker JR, Huang-Pollock CL, Etter NM, Neely KA.Sensory profiles in adults with and without ADHD.Res Dev Disabil. 2020;104:103696. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103696Understood.org.ADHD and sensory overload.Attention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & sensory overload: Managing overstimulation in a fast-paced world.University of Michigan Health.Sensory processing disorder.STAR Institute.Understanding sensory processing disorder.
Galiana-Simal A, Vela-Romero M, Romero-Vela VM, et al.Sensory processing disorder: Key points of a frequent alteration in neurodevelopmental disorders.Cogent Med. 2020;7(1):1736829. doi:10.1080/2331205X.2020.1736829
Sibley MH, Swanson JM, Arnold LE, et al.Defining ADHD symptom persistence in adulthood: optimizing sensitivity and specificity.J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(6):655-662. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12620
Lane SJ, Reynolds S.Sensory over-responsivity as an added dimension in ADHD.Front Integr Neurosci. 2019;13:40. doi:10.3389/fnint.2019.00040
Kamath MS, Dahm CR, Tucker JR, Huang-Pollock CL, Etter NM, Neely KA.Sensory profiles in adults with and without ADHD.Res Dev Disabil. 2020;104:103696. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103696
Understood.org.ADHD and sensory overload.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association.ADHD & sensory overload: Managing overstimulation in a fast-paced world.
University of Michigan Health.Sensory processing disorder.
STAR Institute.Understanding sensory processing disorder.
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