MS coping strategies and Sensory Overload

Let’s talk about MS coping strategies and Sensory Overload! The world we all live in is full of chaos, noise, and so on. But if you also live with MS, you have to find some little coping strategies.

Understanding Sensory Overload

In the context of managing Multiple Sclerosis (MS), sensory overload refers to the overwhelming sensation caused by excessive sensory information (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.) processed by the central nervous system. This can result in symptoms such as extreme stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Sensory overload can occur in MS patients due to various reasons, significantly impacting their daily lives.

Symptoms of Sensory Overload

Sensory overload may present itself with a variety of symptoms, including:

• Extreme discomfort and intolerance in noisy environments
• Sensitivity to bright lights or intense visual stimuli
• Increased stress and anxiety in crowded or busy environments
• Difficulty concentrating and focusing when exposed to multiple sensory inputs
• A general feeling of fatigue and exhaustion

While sensory overload is commonly experienced by individuals with MS, it is not exclusive to them. In today’s world, with its constant noise and visual pollution, everyone can experience sensory overload to some extent. Daily external noises, such as loud conversations from neighbors, vehicle noises, and chaotic music from nearby establishments, can cause extreme stress.

My Personal Experience with Sensory Overload

I wanted to share my experience with you, hoping it might be helpful. Sensory overload in MS is a manageable and controllable challenge. It took me quite some time to discover this. I used to think I was fixated on external noises because I didn’t want to be alone with myself. To address this, I read extensively and practiced various forms of meditation and self-improvement, but I still found myself getting bothered by certain sounds periodically.

The Realization and Research, Managing MS

Thanks to Crunchymyelin.com, I do a lot of research and follow the experiences people share. This journey can feel like a roller coaster—demotivating at times, encouraging at others, and ultimately hopeful. Examining posts about “sensory overload” and researching its meaning made me realize that the problem wasn’t “me.”

If I’m not to blame, then it’s probably due to MS. Although it took me time to adjust to these “antics,” realizing they stem from MS actually felt like a form of healing.

Living with Sensory Overload and Multiple Sclerosis

My first experience with sensory overload was when I lived in Istanbul. You can find my old complaints about the “smell of Beşiktaş” in my writings. However, it wasn’t too overwhelming back then. After moving to Bodrum, the noise from the bars by the coast began to intrude into our home from midday until well past midnight.

We got to know our downstairs neighbors because they would shout across the house to each other at all hours—morning, evening, night, or even early morning. We know everyone in the neighborhood by name, for example. And then there’s the dirt parking lot behind our complex, where cars would struggle and spin their wheels to get in, and the loud motorcycle noises at all hours.

When we first moved to Bodrum, I started reacting to every sound. There’s a metal ramp on the stairs outside the door. Whenever someone stepped on it, I would get startled by the noise, thinking someone was coming to visit us—even though I’m not that introverted. It was either the maintenance staff, our market delivery, or someone heading downstairs.

As a customer service representative, dealing with angry customers stressed me out. Still, external noises, like the loud music from the coastal bars, made it even worse at home. My solution back then was to slam shut the windows and doors. I would get angry at the downstairs neighbors, complain about the bars, and get frustrated with drivers who couldn’t control their vehicles—all by myself.

Finding Solutions to Sensory Overload

Even after closing the windows, the noise would still seep in at a lower volume, which calmed me a bit. I would try to focus on my work or divert my attention to something else that interested me, which always required effort. This could include playing loud music or rewatching a silly TV show or movie, but usually, playing my favorite games on the PlayStation would completely resolve the issue. In short, the stress would dissipate as long as I was engaged in something.

Because if I stayed with my “angry self” and didn’t distract or try to resolve it, I was sure this anger would escalate. To manage MS coping strategies I would have to confront the downstairs neighbors, complain to the noisy delivery rider, or go to each cafe/bar by the coast and ask them to lower their volume.

Even though my headphones claimed to cut out external noise, they didn’t help because I kept wondering, “If the noise (like the neighbors shouting) is bothering me, will it escalate into something I have to intervene in?”

However, when I focused on something I enjoyed, like a game, I could still hear the noise but didn’t care about it. I had to find this “conscious indifference” within myself each time. “Yes, there is noise; people are loud, rude, cars are noisy, roads are bad, and all are accepted. Without getting sick and worn out, what will you do about it?”

Embracing Conscious Indifference

I wanted to explain this. It doesn’t mean being insensitive to others. On the contrary, it emphasizes the importance of protecting our health to contribute more effectively and sustainably to societal issues.

Some social issues can deeply affect us, and raising awareness about them is important. However, constantly fighting on all fronts can sometimes negatively impact our health. Therefore, conscious indifference helps us use our energy and resources more effectively.

Even when watching a film, the noises I mentioned could drive me crazy, taking me out of my peaceful moment. Yet, John, sitting next to me, heard the same noises but wasn’t affected.

I love sharing and communicating. When I talked to John about it, he summarized, “I hear it, but I decide it doesn’t require my intervention, so it doesn’t concern me, and I don’t care.” (Thanks again for enduring my flood of “how” and “why” questions!)

My initial reactions were stress and anger. But I reminded myself that the noise was normal (like in the case of the downstairs neighbors), that they were also humans, and that noise meant “life,” mainly since I lived in a city. I calmed myself by accepting the presence of cars, the bumpy roads, and the fact that the downstairs neighbors existed “as they were” (thanks to reading OSHO).

This may seem like a long paragraph, but it’s to explain it to you. Otherwise, this self-soothing and calming process happens much quicker 🙂

Managing Sensory Overload with MS coping strategies

From now on, adding that this self-soothing and calming process stems from MS will make it easier for me. Learning to protect myself started a long time ago. The world is harsh, cruel, and dirty. I’m a sensitive Virgo (the zodiac mention is a joke; who wants to admit they are just sensitive?).

Yes, I’m an MS Warrior, but I’m a warrior trying to keep myself alive and stable. The battles of the world never end; one ends, another begins, and I may not even manage to keep up with just one. But I must keep myself strong and upright. Therefore, I must carefully choose what I care about and avoid wearing myself out. Because I’m just someone with MS.

So, what do I do? The noises are still there, and many more issues bombard us daily on social media. I’ve learned to deal with them. I try to maintain my calm and protect myself from escalating stress levels. I accept the existence of people and face the fact that I can’t change anyone. Even if this realization is sad, I try to accept it to continue my life.

If I’m upset by something I’ve read or heard on social media (which happens a lot these days!), I donate, do whatever I can to show my support, and close social media and the news. I accept that I can’t participate in protests and sit-ins because of MS.

If I’m struggling with noise pollution and “accepting their existence” takes time, I play my favorite game on the PlayStation and try to escape the discomfort. I also play a favorite song and try to follow the lyrics for my own karaoke party. I hope to pick up my guitar and strum it soon.

For example, writing, sharing, and researching the topic today has made me feel better.

Conclusion: A Manageable Condition

Sensory overload is a manageable condition for MS patients. From my experiences, I’ve learned that it’s crucial to develop and implement various strategies to cope with it. Meditation, mindfulness, self-affirmations, and discussing the issue with loved ones have made this process easier and more manageable for me.

FAQs

What is sensory overload in MS?

Sensory overload in MS refers to the overwhelming sensation caused by excessive sensory information processed by the central nervous system, leading to symptoms like stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

How can I manage sensory overload?

Managing sensory overload can involve strategies such as meditation, mindfulness, engaging in enjoyable activities, and seeking support from loved ones or professionals.

Is sensory overload exclusive to MS patients?

No, sensory overload can be experienced by anyone due to modern life’s constant noise and visual pollution. However, it can be more pronounced in MS patients.

Can noise-canceling headphones help with sensory overload?

Noise-canceling headphones can help reduce external noise, but it’s also important to address the internal response to noise through relaxation techniques and MS coping strategies.

What are some common symptoms of sensory overload?

Common symptoms include discomfort in noisy environments, sensitivity to bright lights, increased stress and anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and general fatigue.

How can conscious indifference help manage sensory overload?

Conscious indifference involves accepting the presence of noise and choosing not to let it escalate your stress levels. It helps in using your energy more effectively to maintain your health.