sensory issues--sounds, textures, etc

Does anyone else have sensitivities to certain sounds and textures? I know that there are certain things that bother almost everyone (nails on a chalkboard, etc), but it seems like some of the things that irritate me are unusual. I know it's not extreme enough to be sensory processing disorder, but I wondered if maybe it was part of ADHD (which I have been diagnosed with).

Here are some examples. I can't stand for my skin to touch the upholstery in my car. It's crushed velour or something like that. I hate the way styrofoam feels or sounds when it scrapes against something. I can't stand to touch much of ANYTHING when my hands are wet. The dinging noise some cars make if the driver's seat belt isn't fastened drives me crazy. It's not just annoying....it's like it's causing me extreme discomfort. I don't like popsicles or eating with chopsticks because the fake wood feeling against my lips or tongue is intolerable. Also if my boyfriend rubs his thumb across the back of my hand (or anything similar) repeatedly, it starts to hurt my skin.

Anyone else have problems like these?

I have very similar issues, but my issues are from different sounds and textures. I CANNOT stand certain fabrics. Like if someone were to scratch their nails against a seat belt, or satin, I feel like gagging. Its intolerable and I have to leave the room. Also, the sounds of someone swallowing, bothers me a lot. I am not sure why, but just anyones throat..bothers me. Also, there are parts of my body that I freak out when pressure is applied to them...like for example the bend in your arm..if you go down your arm an inch or so towards your wrist, and push, it will freak me out. Another thing that bothers me, is if im eating, and my teeth slide together weird, i cringe. The sound and the feeling makes my spine crawl. I am not sure what these things mean..perhaps OCD?

My sisters have similar problems. My oldest has issues with the same kind of fabrics as I do, but my other sister cant stand scratching your nails against those plastic pictures that change when you tilt them. And my boyfriend cant handle paper from chapter books sliding against each other. One thing that we all have in common though, is we have had some sort of issue with Anxiety. I have the worst anxiety that is debilitating, and I have the worst Sensory issues. My oldest sister, the least, and she has the least issues. So perhaps thats a contributing factor.

Thanks for the response. Maybe it is anxiety related. It drives me crazy, but I also find it pretty interesting. I've been reading a little bit about it online, and apparently it's not THAT uncommon in people with ADHD and it's part of the reason that ADHD is considered a developmental disorder like autism. You may already know this, and I'm not trying to talk down to anyone or over-explain, but a lot of people on the autism spectrum have sensory issues and sensitivities.

I wonder if therapy would make a difference. I mean, my issues aren't so bad that I can't function, but if they were, maybe the exposure therapy that people with irrational fears and OCD sometimes get would help. Who knows.

Hi heytriceratops,
I have Adhd and also have some mild sensory issues. Like I can't tolerate certain fabrics, if my hands or hair are a little bit dry it drives me crazy (sensory- wise).
There are occupational therapists who specialize in treating sensory difficulties- it can be helpfull if the sensory issues are very disturbing.
For me- I just found solutions that go around the problem. for example I choose my clothes regarding to fabric. Or if I want to wear a sweater (which is a fabric that i can't tolerate), I always wear a t-shirt underneath (t-shirt fabric is ok for me).

happyface wrote:For me- I just found solutions that go around the problem. for example I choose my clothes regarding to fabric. Or if I want to wear a sweater (which is a fabric that i can't tolerate), I always wear a t-shirt underneath (t-shirt fabric is ok for me).

very practical advice.

i hate my hair blowing in my face. so i wear a ponytail. when some strands break free, i gather them up and rebind it. works like a charm!!

I can't touch any "dry" materials without feeling the utmost discomfort. I'm not sure why that is. The seat-belt ringing used to be the bane of my existence, but I have now learned to completely put it out of my head. As in, if I don't want to hear it I can make it so that I don't. I can't do this if I'm in a "bad mood", though, since I'll just get pissed off at everything and won't have the necessary impulse-control to restrain myself from getting angry at even the smallest of things.