Neurodivergence and Overstimulation: Understanding and Managing
Madeline Redetzky, M.S.
You may have been hearing more about neurodivergence more than ever. As we, as a society, learn more about the brain and mental health, we understand that it is normal for us all to process in our own ways due to many factors. This could include diagnosed conditions, biological and environmental factors, or delays in development. Neurodivergent means that the brain processes information that is not in the way we have understood it or that may not be typical.
Overstimulation occurs a lot with people who identify with or experience neurodivergence. Overstimulation happens when there is a lot of stimuli that is often sensory in nature, like sounds, textures, and lights. One of the brain’s many roles is to collect and process information around us. When there is too much going on around the neurodivergent brain, the person can go into a survival-like mode due to the increased sense of “danger” or stimuli. This causes the person to have difficulty processing in a healthy way and impact executive functioning skills, like emotion regulation, memory, and flexibility.
What happens to your computer when you try to do too much around the same time? It will freeze because it is overwhelmed with the amount of processing it needs to do. Human brains can experience this, too. Now, some of us experience it more than others. That is where it is important to understand that not all brains process in the same way.
When I work with my teenage clients who struggle with how their brain processes, I also work a lot with the parents or guardians. These people with neurodivergence need extra support, accountability and reminders in many cases.
It can be helpful to have techniques to go to when these overstimulation moments occur to us or to your child and teenager. Here are some of the tips and techniques that have worked best for clients I work with.
- Recognize that you or your child are in a heightened emotional state. This could include anger, sadness, irritation or freezing.
- Reduce stimuli or stressors. This could include removing yourself from the environment, reducing the sensory stimuli or closing your eyes.
- Find a technique that helps remind the brain and body that it is okay.
- Mantras: I am safe. This will pass. I am in control.
- Mindfulness: slow inhale and exhale, sighing repeatedly, lay on ground, humming
- Physical: removal from environment, cool sensations like a cold glass of water or ice, Gentle pressure like a weighted blanket or hug, vent to a safe person in a safe space
- Identify long-term techniques: Identify the triggers and needs, set boundaries for self in environment, practice communication, learn to regulate your nervous system
- Practice these techniques and what else works for you, over and over again.
If you find overstimulation or the way your brain processes impact what is your normal level of functioning, please contact a mental health professional.