Overstimulated Brain
- Thread starter Opaline
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THeCARS1979
Well-known member
What I'm about to discuss is a bit difficult to explain, but I will try my best.
I get overwhelmed easily, by a lot of things. But - and I first noticed this a few years ago - I get overwhelmed by things that the average person takes in and processes naturally (mentally, I mean). For example, say I am at a movie with a few people and we are watching the trailers. After the first trailer is over and it launches into the second trailer, I find myself still thinking about the first trailer, even up to halfway through the second. It takes me a long time to process it. I go over the details of it certain things and if there is something particularly interesting to me - say, for example, my favorite actor is in it - I can't seem to let it go. Process it and move on. It sticks in my mind and I must continue to think about it.
I am this way with many, many things. I hear a tidbit of a familiar song on the radio and the feelings it evokes in me - perhaps having to do with associated memories and such - linger and then I find I can't seem to... calm down from it. A certain part of my brain is seemingly stimulated to the point where I can't let it go, it actually becomes distressing sometimes and makes my anxiety go up. I almost feel like I'm autistic at times like these, where the smallest sensory input makes me crazy (whereas the average person would make a mental note and move on, no big deal).
This causes me to feel overwhelmed and overstimulated a LOT, as our culture is made up of a constant barrage of images and sound bytes, EVERYWHERE. It makes me crazy.
I'm not sure if I have ADD, at times I have been inclined to think I might, as I have some other traits that fit it (such as being disorganized and cluttered), but I don't fit all of the symptoms (can't remember which ones I don't fit now).
Maybe it is OCD? I do seem to be obsessive when it comes to certain things, but I don't have any routines such as handwashing or lock checking or anything.
Anyway, I just find it too much sometimes. When I go shopping I am overwhelmed by all the choices. It takes me FOREVER to decide, and I start to feel panicked because of all the input my brain is receiving - so many different products, all offering different features and different prices; too many variables, too many pieces of information to absorb.
I don't know what's wrong with me :: Music, movies, shopping, conversation, reading... many things do this to me. I have to sometimes just retreat to a quiet area and sit in silence and breathe because I feel like my head is going to explode, I can't contain it all.
Anyone that can relate? It would be great to know I'm not the only one...
What do you think?
what do i think? If I was your date, i really wouldnt care, to be honest , you seem so nice. I mean if you want, you can go for neurofeedback therapy and see what happens. I went for 21 sessions of those. Do you get sweaty palms? any nervousness? And yes I can relate.
Steve
MikeyC
Well-known member
I have done a similar thing at shops: I go for one item and they've got 50 different brands of that one item, and I'm suddenly bombarded with choice that I wasn't expecting. A few times I have left without buying anything because the sudden factor of choice threw me off and I couldn't pick one.
Our lives are constantly taking in everything. You listen to the radio, hear all the news stories, then go out and get in your car. Cars are honking, screeching, making noise. Then you go to the store where there's all different kinds of sales for different brands and why their store is better than the competitor. Watch TV later and you're hot with commercials about new creams, new peanut butter, life insurance. Call now! New flavour! Improved recipe! Anti-ageing! Our brain was never meant to absorb so much information as it is today.
What you may need is a good balance. When at home, if possible, give yourself some quiet time. Read a book, chill to some of your favourite music, or whatever gives you pleasure, and forget about the outside information.
I know all of this is easier said than done, but good luck.
Our lives are constantly taking in everything. You listen to the radio, hear all the news stories, then go out and get in your car. Cars are honking, screeching, making noise. Then you go to the store where there's all different kinds of sales for different brands and why their store is better than the competitor. Watch TV later and you're hot with commercials about new creams, new peanut butter, life insurance. Call now! New flavour! Improved recipe! Anti-ageing! Our brain was never meant to absorb so much information as it is today.
What you may need is a good balance. When at home, if possible, give yourself some quiet time. Read a book, chill to some of your favourite music, or whatever gives you pleasure, and forget about the outside information.
I know all of this is easier said than done, but good luck.
THeCARS1979
Well-known member
hey , I knew that. but its okay. I sometimes used to do that too. Sometimes I still do it. Do you drink coffee or anything else? Did you ever try passionflower or valerian root extract to try to relax or Sirelex, its like like a drink with chamomile in it, also Chamomele tea would be good. Anything with tryptophan in it like banana and turkey would work.
Steve
coyote
Well-known member
I am very much the same way, Tally Lyra
i was diagnosed with ADD by one psychiatrist, while another one thought these symptoms were due to anxiety
i feel like i've been able to improve a little in the last few years by practicing very hard to stay in the present moment outside my head and not let myself get too consumed with my own thoughts
and i've learned that having a little down time by myself to de-stress is okay
i was diagnosed with ADD by one psychiatrist, while another one thought these symptoms were due to anxiety
i feel like i've been able to improve a little in the last few years by practicing very hard to stay in the present moment outside my head and not let myself get too consumed with my own thoughts
and i've learned that having a little down time by myself to de-stress is okay
Seabreeze
Well-known member
Tally Lyra: I can identify with you. I don't have ADD but I have discovered that I am a "highly sensitive person".
Like you my brain is very easily stimulated eg when I'm in work or some social gatherings e.g family I will be fine talking with one perhaps 2 people but if more people come into the mix 4/5 people talking and communicating in a group my barin goes into overdrive . I find I can't concentrate or absorb the information of what one person might be saying to me because my brain can't filter out other peoples conversations in the vicinity and my anxiety then starts to rise.
I also tend to take in lots of excessive information eg when travelling on my holidays. every little dtails will be absorbed from fellow travellers in the queue at the airport to the pilots accent, to the my surroundings etc
I am always aware about what is going on around me.
Have you ever read this book "The Highly Sensitive Person" by elaine Aron.
It's really interesting read and you may identify with it.
You can do a self test on her webpage to see are you a HSP.
The Highly Sensitive Person
Interview with Elain Aron about HSP's
The Highly Sensitive Person: An Interview with Elaine Aron - YouTube
This is also a interesting short video made by a HSP
Beyond Blue: The Highly Sensitive Person - YouTube
Like you my brain is very easily stimulated eg when I'm in work or some social gatherings e.g family I will be fine talking with one perhaps 2 people but if more people come into the mix 4/5 people talking and communicating in a group my barin goes into overdrive . I find I can't concentrate or absorb the information of what one person might be saying to me because my brain can't filter out other peoples conversations in the vicinity and my anxiety then starts to rise.
I also tend to take in lots of excessive information eg when travelling on my holidays. every little dtails will be absorbed from fellow travellers in the queue at the airport to the pilots accent, to the my surroundings etc
I am always aware about what is going on around me.
Have you ever read this book "The Highly Sensitive Person" by elaine Aron.
It's really interesting read and you may identify with it.
You can do a self test on her webpage to see are you a HSP.
The Highly Sensitive Person
Interview with Elain Aron about HSP's
The Highly Sensitive Person: An Interview with Elaine Aron - YouTube
This is also a interesting short video made by a HSP
Beyond Blue: The Highly Sensitive Person - YouTube
vse2008
Member
I just bought that book this weekend. The self-test describes me to a "T". At work, my office is dark and I tend not to talk to people. At home, I don't like the windows open at night because I'm aware of every little sound while I'm trying to fall asleep. I startle very easily. Stupid little things bother me that other people shrug off. One example: I've been getting phone calls at work for another person (their line must be forwarded to mine or something). It annoys me - I feel like my privacy is being invaded. I don't like bright lights. I'm very sensitive to other people's tone of voice. I hate crowds - they exhaust me.
I am also very sensitive to external stimuli. Sometimes when I watch a show or movie, certain details stay stuck in my head and I find myself thinking about the details rather than what's going on in the show. I guess my brain is trying to process those details and the show or movie is moving way too fast for it. In high school,I used to turn on the music all the time when I study. I used to be addicted to music. If I don't have music turned on, I go into withdrawal mode. It took me some time to get over this addiction. Meditation really helps to calm the mind. I know when I first did it, I was amazed at how quiet my mind can be.
vse2008
Member
I'm the same way with TV. Especially if it's something with violence. I can't handle it. Even when I pass by a car accident, I can feel the pain emanating from the people and the twisted metal and it overwhelms me. Music helps me a lot. I have my iPod at work and I listen all day. When I am particulary distressed, Enya or Patrick Ki help a lot.