Overstimulation: A Major Challenge for Highly Sensitive Kids & Parents
Ceara Deno, MD • April 1, 2025
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Overstimulation: A Major Challenge for Highly Sensitive Kids & Adults
Have you ever left a noisy, chaotic, overwhelming environment, and afterwards, you felt like you had been electrocuted?
Maybe your skin was crawling.
You felt like you wanted to run away.
You might have felt dizzy.
Irritable.
Anxious.
Exhausted.
These are just some of the symptoms of overstimulation.
What Is Overstimulation?
Overstimulation is feelings of exhaustion, shutdown, or overwhelm caused by too much sensory input.
For highly sensitive kids and adults, because we have stronger reactions to sensory inputs, overstimulation is more common.
We can be more affected by:
- Noises
- Bright lights
- Smells
- Chaos
- Crowds
- Temperature changes
- Multitasking
- Deadlines
- Overlapping conversations
- Flickering lights
- Emotional stress
So what can be done?
Can we prevent overstimulation?
One key strategy is speaking up for our needs.
And teaching children to speak up.
Speaking up for your own needs sounds like:
“This is a lot for me right now. Some quiet time would really help me feel calmer.”
“I am feeling pretty tense. I’m going to take a break so I feel less on edge.”
“I’m reaching my limit. I’m going outside for a couple minutes to get calmer.”
Helping a child might sound like:
"This place is pretty noisy. Is your brain feeling full? What if we take a break outside?”
"This is a lot. What if we turn down the lights and music and relax on the couch together for a little bit?”
“Is your body feeling stressed? How about we take a little break until you feel calmer?”
You deserve to get your needs met.
Your child does, too.
When an environment is causing overstimulation for you or your child, it’s your right to say something.
Speaking up is a first step to feeling better.
Struggling with overstimulation? Is your child struggling?
I’d love to help you both feel better and create a life that supports your and your child’s needs.
A compassionate look at the moments when a parent loves their child deeply but still feels a quiet distance--and the longing to find connection again.
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