Why does everything feel too loud or too bright for me?
The office is physically painful. Fluorescent lights make you feel sick. Fabric tags are unbearable. Crowds are overwhelming in a way that feels physical, not just uncomfortable. Other people seem fine. You feel like you're broken. You are not broken. Your sensory system works differently.
What might be going on
Sensory Processing Disorder affects how the brain receives and responds to sensory input. For people with sensory hypersensitivity, the brain's filtering system doesn't modulate incoming sensory information in the same way -- sounds, lights, textures, and smells that register as background for most people register as foreground, and often as overwhelming or painful. This is neurological, not psychological. Sensory processing differences are also a recognised feature of autism -- many autistic people experience significant sensory hypersensitivity that affects their ability to function comfortably in standard environments. The experience is physical and real, even when others cannot see or understand it.
What this is not
This is not oversensitivity as a personality trait. It is not anxiety that could be resolved by exposure or willpower. It is not a sign of weakness. The sensory experience is neurological and real -- and dismissing it or pushing through without understanding it leads to exhaustion, not adaptation.
What you can do
Understanding your specific sensory profile through an occupational therapy assessment provides the most useful starting point for practical strategies. Environmental modifications -- noise-reducing headphones, lighting changes, clothing adjustments -- can make an immediate and significant difference. A screening is a useful first step.
The free WhyTheyThink screening covers sensory processing, autism, and 14 other profiles. Designed for adults as well as parents.
Start free screeningFrequently asked questions
Can adults have sensory processing disorder?
Yes -- sensory processing differences persist into adulthood. Many adults are not identified until they seek assessment for other reasons and discover their sensory profile as part of a broader picture.
Is sensory sensitivity the same as anxiety?
They are related but distinct. Sensory sensitivity is a neurological difference in how the brain processes input. Anxiety can develop as a secondary response to sensory overload -- anticipating overwhelming environments. Both may need to be addressed.
What does an occupational therapy sensory assessment involve?
A sensory assessment with an occupational therapist covers your responses across multiple sensory channels -- auditory, visual, tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive -- and produces a sensory profile that informs practical strategies and environmental modifications.