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Sensory overload + my love of barcades
8 years ago
I have a weird rant, *but* a lot of people on FA have mental struggles so I want to share.
I suffer from sensory overload SO BAD. I feel like it's gotten even worse as I've gotten older, or maybe since I've gone through more. Online I feel like I come off as.. decently intelligent, then in person I get overstimulated and I'm airhead mode. It's actually part of the reason I got so into fursuiting, the sensory deprivation was really relaxing. I honestly wonder if I'm some sort of Asperger's, ADHD, or maybe just a severe introvert.
I'm bored easily, so sitting in a quiet corner isn't a good life choice for me either. There's only a few exciting things that don't overstimulate me: flying (white noise and no change in people), driving, and most things outdoors.
And BARCADES. Oh my gosh. I've been obsessed! When I focus on one machine, it instantly relaxes me, it's the only bar/social spot where I don't have to drown myself in alcohol to reduce the stimuli. I've spent more hours in arcades than on consoles these last 3 months.
Anyways, if anyone has any tips for dealing with this... sometimes my brain treats leaving the house as a threat and it's really interfering with my way of life. I've heard sensory overload gets worse with PTSD. On the plus side, my boyfriend is so chill that it's kind of like going out with a service dog (he's a sub so he won't mind that description xD), I notice I'm a lot more relaxed and able to socialize when he's nearby.
I suffer from sensory overload SO BAD. I feel like it's gotten even worse as I've gotten older, or maybe since I've gone through more. Online I feel like I come off as.. decently intelligent, then in person I get overstimulated and I'm airhead mode. It's actually part of the reason I got so into fursuiting, the sensory deprivation was really relaxing. I honestly wonder if I'm some sort of Asperger's, ADHD, or maybe just a severe introvert.
I'm bored easily, so sitting in a quiet corner isn't a good life choice for me either. There's only a few exciting things that don't overstimulate me: flying (white noise and no change in people), driving, and most things outdoors.
And BARCADES. Oh my gosh. I've been obsessed! When I focus on one machine, it instantly relaxes me, it's the only bar/social spot where I don't have to drown myself in alcohol to reduce the stimuli. I've spent more hours in arcades than on consoles these last 3 months.
Anyways, if anyone has any tips for dealing with this... sometimes my brain treats leaving the house as a threat and it's really interfering with my way of life. I've heard sensory overload gets worse with PTSD. On the plus side, my boyfriend is so chill that it's kind of like going out with a service dog (he's a sub so he won't mind that description xD), I notice I'm a lot more relaxed and able to socialize when he's nearby.
BFox64
~bfox64
I wish I had barcades close to me! They sounds like a lot of fun, and good stress relief! I hope it continues to help you relax, and socialize! Have you tried deep breathing exercises, with say a phone app, when things get too intense? I know that's help me with mine over the years.
mjade
~mjade
OP
What type of phone app? I don't really think to do any breathing exercises when I'm around people, which is when I need it, heh.
BFox64
~bfox64
The Fitbit charge 2 has a built in one that syncs with your current heart rate, helping you get into a calm breathing pattern that's optimal for you
