tactile defensiveness or sensory overload in Adults - 51 year old male

I'm a 51 year old male that has always had trouble with sensory overload -- i.e tags in clothes, wind blowing on bare skin, clothing textures (can wear only soft clothes and even that is irritating), tags and seams on clothing, Hot weather - Irritated by Sweating (requires several showers a day in hot weather), overly sensitive to smells, jump when sleeping if talked to or touched, overly sensitive to lights and sounds at night (clock ticking, alarm clock lights, etc.).  It’s getting worse as I get older.  I can find very little information on adults with this type of problem.  I am a fairly successful individual, college graduate with three kids that do not have this issue (although I know my dad disliked tags and rough clothes).  I prefer small crowds, and end seats at events. I am constantly on edge.  I’ve down the psychologist thing (very helpful in anxiety situations like giving briefings at work which terrified me (and still does but at least I can get through it), meditation, even several alternative therapies but nothing has helped with the issues I mention above.  I’m very very tired of it all and would like some help if there is any to be had.  Are their medications that can make your skin less sensitive to particular clothes – that would be enough for me – the rest I can live with – Can anyone offer any suggestions or help?


  

[Tsidun]

I am a 57 year old male who hates shoes & socks and can not stand to wear even underwear to bed.  My whole life I've been afraid of being judged for wanting to sleep nude.  When I found myself actually having to do Lamaz childbirth breathing exercises to try to bear the discomfort of what I was wearing, in order to sleep, I dcided, "I'm a big boy now, and can wear whatever I  want to bed."

I've slept nude for years now, and I sleep like a baby.

I find myself dresssing that way (nude) more & more during the day, and I am certainly more happy now.

Could some nudists have OCD tactile defensiveness issure?

[benjimom]

I dont' think it sounds like adhd, it sounds like sensory processing disorder.  Please look that up and seeif you can find any info on how it pertains to adults.  

[benjimom]

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/adult-SPD-checklist.html

I found this website, it lists a lot of symptoms that sounds like what you have.  Please look into it, also a lot of even mental health workers don't know that much about this disorder (SPD).  It can be confused with ADHD as well.  Best of luck!

[reaction112]

HI rbr,
what you describe is very similar to what i have to cope with especially the clothing issue, have you found anything that have helped you so far regarding this? Thank you.