[BatsAndButterflies]

I recently bought a book about AD/HD because I feel knowing more about how my mind works would help me better understand myself...

I read something about individuals with AD/HD being sensitive to light, sound, and physical touch. This explained a lot including how anxiety plays a role in AD/HD. I was wondering if anyone experienced some of these?

For example: when I am in a restaurant... I sort of snap. There is so much going on I can hear every conversation around me, every clink of a dish, every tap of someones fingers on the table and I cannot stand it.

Also, when someone touches me I automatically back away. I don't believe I've had any negative experiences with touch, but if someone sits beside me and our legs touch I automatically move. And if someone touches my back, neck, or ears... I freak out!

I don't know if my light sensitivity is because of my AD/HD or the fact that I have light colored eyes. I cannot for the life of me keep my eyes open during flash photography and the sun drives me crazy sometimes.

Does anyone else have some examples of this?

[kittenzilla]

Light: I hate fluorescent lights. I think for me, the spectrum of light really matters.

Sound: I can definitely relate to your restaurant example, and when I dine out, I request tables that aren't out in the open or middle -- like preferably by a wall or on a quieter end, etc.

I'm also very sensitive to sudden loud noises. Balloons being popped actually engenders a sort of fear response in me (rather than just surprise), if that makes any sense. In elementary school, there was an annual Field Day full of games and activities as a year-end fun event. There was a relay that involved sitting on a balloon until it popped, and I always waited that one out on the sidelines. When I was even younger, I remember avoiding the game Operation because the buzzer frightened me, and even younger than that, the sudden popping and crackling of damp wood in the fireplace made me cry. I have a really early memory (from probably toddler age) of sitting with family by the fire and covering my ears as tightly as I could and crying, being really affected by the occasional pops coming from the fireplace.

Touch: Absolutely with you. If anyone touches my back or neck, I reactively flinch/tense up completely. It's almost impossible for me to get a massage, but that's fine with me. I also hate really light touch in general, like just barely skimming my skin. Makes me crazy!! But touch with a little pressure behind it is better, though still excluding my back and neck.