Sensory Anxiety Part 2

By Erin Clarelli, MS, OTR/L & Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L

What Does Sensory Anxiety Look Like?

Sensory anxiety may look like any of the following or more:

• Flushed face/lethargic or tight expression

• Stomach cramps/diarrhea/vomiting

• Shaking/trembling/rigid posture

• Poor balance/coordination

• Excessive sweating

• Racing thoughts

• Disorientation

• Dilated Pupils

• Dizziness

How to handle the symptoms…

1. Make it known

   Tell those around what specific sensors are a struggle (I.e. noise, touch). If they are aware they might be able to help make it a better sensory-safe space for you.

2. Alternative and avoidance

   It is okay to turn down events that will cause too much sensory anxiety. If there will be an unavoidable trigger it is sometimes better to avoid it rather than dealing with the uncomfortable symptoms.

3. Gear Up

   If certain sensory anxiety can’t be avoided, it is good to be prepared emotionally and physically. Before the encounter it is okay to take time to use techniques useful for sensory issues (I.e. using a fidget, jumping on a trampoline, workout out, meditation, etc).

4. Make time to bounce back

   If there was not time to prepare before an overstimulating event, it is okay to take all the time needed afterwards to decompress. It is a normal experience and nothing to beat oneself up about.

Resources

Dillon, K. (n.d.). Sensory anxiety: Not your ordinary anxiety. Sensory Anxiety: Not Your Ordinary Anxiety. https://sensoryhealth.org/node/1129

Rosen, P. (2023, June 15). Sensory overload anxiety. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/sensory-overload-anxiety