STIMULUS OVERLOAD

INTRODUCTION :-

Stimulus is basically a thing or an event

or we can say environment that evokes
the change in the functioning of the
organ. Stimulus overload occurs when
one or more of the body's senses
experiences over-stimulation from the
environment. There are many
environmental elements that impact
an individual. Examples of these
elements are urbanization, crowding,
noise, mass media, technology, and
the explosive growth of information.
Stimulus overload is commonly
associated with sensory processing
disorder. Like its opposite stimulus
deprivation, it has been used as a
means of torture. Stimulus deprivation
is the deliberate reduction or removal
of stimuli from one or more of the
senses.
SYMPTOMS :-

There are a wide variety of

symptoms that have been found to
be associated with stimulus
overload. These symptoms can
occur in both children and adults.
Some of these symptoms are:-

• Irritability
• Gets overexcited
• Makes poor eye contact
• Having difficulty focusing on an
activity
SYMPTOMS

• Avoids touching
or being touched
• Sleeplessness
• Angry outbursts
• Refuses to
participate in
activities and/or
interact with
others
CAUSES :-

Stimulus overload can

result from the
overstimulation of any of
the senses.
• Hearing - Loud noise or
sound from multiple
sources, such as several
people talking at once
or a loud fire alarm.
• Sight - Bright lights,
strobing lights, or
environments with lots
of movement such as
crowds or frequent
scene changes on
television.
CAUSES

• Smell and taste -

Strong aromas or
spicy foods.
• Touch - Tactile
sensations such as
being touched by
another person or
the feel of cloth on
skin.
TREATMENTS :-

There are many different ways to treat sensory overload :-

• One way to reduce this tension is to participate in occupational
therapy in which you therapists develop, recover, or maintain the
daily living and work skills of the people with a physical or mental
disorder.
• Being able to identify one's own triggers of sensory overload can help
reduce, eliminate, or avoid them.
• Most often the quickest way to ease stimulus overload symptoms is to
remove oneself from the situation.
• Reducing sensory input such as eliminating distressing sounds and
lowering the lights can help.
• It is important in situations of stimulus overload to calm oneself and
return to a normal level.
PREVENTIONS :-

There are two different methods to prevent sensory overload –

• Avoidance and
• Setting limits.
The process of avoidance involves creating a more quiet and orderly
environment. This includes keeping the noise to a minimum and
reducing the sense of clutter. To prevent stimulus overload, it is important
to rest before big events and focus your attention and energy on one
thing at a time.
Setting limits involves restricting the amount of time spent on various
activities and selecting settings to carefully avoid crowds and noise.
One may also limit interactions with specific people to help prevent
stimulus overload.