Tactile Sensory Disorder

[Jate]

I have a lot of problems when it comes to touch and textures. A main one if that I get extremely agitated by people touching me. Even just a light bump can completely stress me out.
I went to my doctor and brought it up. But he said that to have a tactile sensory disorder, being touched would need to cause a painful or burning sensation. Is that true? Or could it also be a feeling of extreme discomfort along with the fight or flight response that I feel?

[mom@homenow]

Have you considered getting an evaluation from an Occupational Therapist? You haven't stated your age.. but you posted in the child behavior forum, and you obviously did some homework on the subject before seeing your doctor and again before posting on this site. If you are a teenager there is no reason not to try to see a Pediatric OT who specializes in sensory disorders.

I believe your doctor is wrong. A person don't have to have a painful or burning sensation to have tactile defensiveness. In fact, it manifests differently and to different degrees in every patient. If you need a referral from that doctor to go to an OT, then just tell your doctor you want the second opinion from an expert in the field of sensory issues. If he gives you a hard time and refuses, talk to another doctor in the practice. Sometimes have to be pushy with the medical professionals and you must advocate for yourself and your own health.

[Jate]

Any other thoughts?

[Jate]

These are the ones that affect me:

becomes fearful, anxious or aggressive with light or unexpected touch

appears fearful of, or avoids standing in close proximity to other people or peers (especially in lines)

becomes frightened when touched from behind or by someone/something they can not see (such as under a blanket)

complains about having hair brushed; may be very picky about using a particular brush

bothered by rough bed sheets (i.e., if old and "bumpy")

avoids group situations for fear of the unexpected touch

resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings (and sometimes them too!)

dislikes kisses, will "wipe off" place where kissed

may overreact to minor cuts, scrapes, and or bug bites

avoids touching certain textures of material (blankets, rugs, stuffed animals)

refuses to wear new or stiff clothes, clothes with rough textures, turtlenecks, jeans, hats, or belts, etc.

excessively ticklish

distressed by seams in socks and may refuse to wear them

distressed by clothes rubbing on skin; may want to wear shorts and short sleeves year round, toddlers may prefer to be naked and pull diapers and clothes off constantly

distressed about having face washed

distressed about having hair, toenails, or fingernails cut

resists brushing teeth and is extremely fearful of the dentist

is a picky eater, only eating certain tastes and textures; mixed textures tend to be avoided as well as hot or cold foods; resists trying new foods

may walk on toes only (on tile)

-Instead of refusing to walk barefoot on grass or sand...I don't like to wear shoes...when walking on anything.
----

I had to touch this piece of fabric today. It was like jeans...only a bit different feeling. And the feeling is still on my hands. x.x I hate it.

[tiredbuthappy]

based on your description, it sounds like your doctor is right. tactile defensives is a sensory processing disorder. you don't necessarily have to have a painful or burning sensation though. did you have a rough time in school as young child? this would explain it.

Signs Of Tactile Dysfunction:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html

1. Hypersensitivity To Touch (Tactile Defensiveness)



__ becomes fearful, anxious or aggressive with light or unexpected touch

__ as an infant, did/does not like to be held or cuddled; may arch back, cry, and pull away

__ distressed when diaper is being, or needs to be, changed

__ appears fearful of, or avoids standing in close proximity to other people or peers (especially in lines)

__ becomes frightened when touched from behind or by someone/something they can not see (such as under a blanket)

__ complains about having hair brushed; may be very picky about using a particular brush

__ bothered by rough bed sheets (i.e., if old and "bumpy")

__ avoids group situations for fear of the unexpected touch

__ resists friendly or affectionate touch from anyone besides parents or siblings (and sometimes them too!)

__ dislikes kisses, will "wipe off" place where kissed

__ prefers hugs

__ a raindrop, water from the shower, or wind blowing on the skin may feel like torture and produce adverse and avoidance reactions

__ may overreact to minor cuts, scrapes, and or bug bites

__ avoids touching certain textures of material (blankets, rugs, stuffed animals)

__ refuses to wear new or stiff clothes, clothes with rough textures, turtlenecks, jeans, hats, or belts, etc.

__ avoids using hands for play

__ avoids/dislikes/aversive to "messy play", i.e., sand, mud, water, glue, glitter, playdoh, slime, shaving cream/funny foam etc.

__ will be distressed by dirty hands and want to wipe or wash them frequently

__ excessively ticklish

__ distressed by seams in socks and may refuse to wear them

__ distressed by clothes rubbing on skin; may want to wear shorts and short sleeves year round, toddlers may prefer to be naked and pull diapers and clothes off constantly

__ or, may want to wear long sleeve shirts and long pants year round to avoid having skin exposed

__ distressed about having face washed

__ distressed about having hair, toenails, or fingernails cut

__ resists brushing teeth and is extremely fearful of the dentist

__ is a picky eater, only eating certain tastes and textures; mixed textures tend to be avoided as well as hot or cold foods; resists trying new foods

__ may refuse to walk barefoot on grass or sand

__ may walk on toes only