Personal Sensory Seeking Part 1
By Erin Clarelli, MS, OTR/L & Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L
What Is Personal Sensory Seeking?
Maybe coined as a taboo topic, but we think here at SUNRISE Therapies it’s important to discuss anything you or your loved one may want to work on especially if it’s normal and a healthy part of being human.
Masturbation, or personal sensory seeking as we like to reframe it as, is a very intense form of sensory input. As with any individual, seeking sensory input…it serves a purpose. For some it may be a calming form of input and for others it may be alerting. To be able discriminate the difference, so much comes into play in regards to the age of the individual, the environment, the demands, and the sensory profile of the individual themselves.
The Benefits
But let’s speak to the benefits before we share anything else. Personal sensory seeking releases endorphins, specifically the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine acts of the areas of the brain that give you the feelings of pleasure, satisfaction and motivation aka the reward center. Another benefit includes the release of oxytocin. I know the power of oxytocin itself especially after having two unmedicated births myself. The release of oxytocin directly affects our cortisol levels which in turn decrease stress in our body. Therefore this sensory seeking experience elicits peace for many individuals. Regardless of if the act is intended for masturbation -or- seeking input to personal areas without any mature intimate thoughts. This is where the occupational profile, specifically age, comes into play…
Taking a Deeper Look…
When looking at this experience I think it’s crucial to examine several things. First, we had previously mentioned the occupational profile. The occupational profile may include history and experiences (i.e age), patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs. This is so important to recognize because this will all shape the reasons why the individual is engaging in this sensory seeking experience. This helps to shape our responses or support recommendations as practitioners.
Check out our next blog to see a few of our favorite strategies in addressing personal sensory seeking across various age ranges.