Overstimulation

Overstimulation occurs when your senses—such as sights, sounds, smells, or physical sensations—become overwhelmed by excessive input, making it difficult to process or respond calmly. This can happen in busy or noisy environments, during intense activities, or when experiencing strong emotions. The result might be feeling anxious, irritable, fatigued, or needing to withdraw. Overstimulation is a normal response to too much sensory information and varies from person to person. Managing it often involves creating calm environments, taking breaks, or reducing sensory exposure to restore a sense of balance and comfort.