A Highly Sensitive Person’s Confessions: Sounds and Social Anxiety

 A Highly Sensitive Person’s Confessions:  Sounds and Social Anxiety

Preface:  This is the sixth post, so if you missed the first ones… Short Version:  I’m “sensitive to life”.  The first post was on light sensitivity and I now wear rose-tinted glasses (FL-41 tint), the second, third, and fourth were on skin issues, the fifth was on cleaning. 

Sounds

Loud noises, noisy rooms, squealing children, constant noise, and so on can quickly and easily become irritating and overwhelming. 

Solution?  Besides removing myself from the situation, ear plugs or ear funnels

Ear plugs can block most of the noise but they also muffle voices, so I looked into another option and found ear funnels.  I invested in Flare Audio’s Calmer Night and they have proved helpful.  As my sensitivities are on high right now, I wear them 24/7.  I have not tried their day version, Calmer, but I am considering also investing in a pair.

I still have to remove myself at times when the children’s noise levels have reached high or constant levels, but it has helped me not curb the urge to fuss, yell, spank, or lash out.  My hearing is too sensitive for concerts, even too sensitive for worship at church, but I’ve not attempted to use the funnels or ear plugs in those situations due to social anxiety.  The noise leves canl literally cause me to become nauseated.

Social Anxiety

Crowds, Concerts, Large Gatherings can quickly and easily become irritating and overwhelming.

As much as I love being with family and friends, large gatherings and outings are overwhelming due to the high levels of sensory inputs (noise, smells, etc.), so they can cause a lot of anxiety.  I’ve adapted by using these coping methods:

• Having a quiet spot - I always do a quick survey to know where I can go for a bit of peace to regroup, sometimes that’s outside, sometimes a bathroom, sometimes a separate room

• Finding less crowded areas - If I’m at a venue that’s busy, I survey for the least crowded areas and migrate to them

• Sitting near an isle and/or exit in a less crowded area, with a window view when possible

• Having a time limit - Depending on the situation, I can allow myself to handle a large crowd, if I know there’s a limit.  For instance, when I was a Bible Quiz Director, I knew I needed to be in front of everyone but I also knew it was for a finite amount of time, so I was able to control the anxiety.  For parties, I’ve learned that I can usually handle crowds for a few hours before I’m overwhelmed, so I let my host know I’m leaving early.

• Limiting Gatherings and Outings - I only plan to attend a limited number of gatherings or outings each month, otherwise, I find myself more anxious and unable to enjoy the ones I do attend

• Planning down-time - Following a social outing, I make time to unwind and decompress

• Wearing comfortable clothing - The more comfortable I am physically, the longer I can handle the uncomfortable levels of sensory inputs.

• Cleaning - I’ve found grabbing a broom, clearing and/or cleaning dishes, picking up after kids, etc. helps relieve the anxiety while being helpful

*****Please note, I was not asked to review this product nor am I getting paid.  My goal is only to perhaps help family and friends who also suffer from sensitivity issues*****