[LoneRose]

I was wondering if you also have problems with loud noise and places with many people at the same time?

I have always had big problems with loud noise like when many people talk at the same time. I can´t filter out sounds so i just hear it all at the same time. It is very frustrating and quite scary. I also have problems with hearing what people are saying if there is many sounds around me.

Yesterday we went to an indoor play area with my son. We had never been there before and we were quite excited about going. But as soon as we stepped inside i felt awful!!! The place was HUGE and it was packed full of screaming kids and parents. I froze... We went in and i just freaked out big time I had to really fight not to start crying. I just wanted to run away very fast. I couldn´t even start playing with my son and had to send in his dad instead.. I felt so bad abut it but don´t know what happened to me. I sat as far away as i could and wrote my feelings down.

My son loved it there, thank god.

I did feel better after maybe an hour, i started to relax more i think, but is was not a pleasant experince. Not a place i will go to again thats for sure!

[pegasus]

Sounds like anxiety to me!

((((((( LoneRose )))))))

[Mouse_]

yes I feel very threatened with to much noise and to many faces, it all begins to merge into maddness and I have the need to run or shut down...I think its a feeling of burn out, I can't take to much simulation for to long...silence, silence, silence and more silence!!!!

[bexter]

I think that everyone has a personal limit as to how much sensory input he or she can manage without it becoming overload, and it's likely that people like us who have come to the attention of the mental-health system have lower thresholds than most. Under the best of circumstances, I don't like being in crowded, noisy environments, like concerts, the starting lines of big-*** marathons, and so forth. And I especially can't stand the wailing of infants, which creates problems when I am, say, 30,000 feet above the earth in the fuselage of an airplane and therefore rather limited in my choices of egress.

But then, who really does like clamor and disruptions among them? I acknowledge that I am a "special needs" type of person, but I try to avoid chalking up each and every reaction--especially inner ones--to clinical anxiety, depression, mania, OCD, or other brand of pathology. I have enough to confront without constantly filtering my experiences through the lens of carrying multiple diagnoses. At some point, we all just have to deal with life's offerings, and sometimes what's out there, especially on a moment to moment basis, is crap.

[Moose72]

Sometimes I'll be out at, say, a restaurant or grocery store and cannot filter out the voices. I'm a musician so I'm good at listening to a lot of things at once and not being freaked out by it. However, at these times, its like I can hear every one of 200 voices and yes, it gets REALLY overwhelming!

[Slothrop]

Yes! The worse I am doing mentally, the less I can tolerate. If I am doing OK, noise and hubbub are just annoying. If I am doing badly, they go into overload and I can't think coherently. Meds like Abilify/Lamictal/lithium have a strong influence over how much I can tolerate.

[LoneRose]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Sometimes I'll be out at, say, a restaurant or grocery store and cannot filter out the voices. I'm a musician so I'm good at listening to a lot of things at once and not being freaked out by it. However, at these times, its like I can hear every one of 200 voices and yes, it gets REALLY overwhelming!

Thats exactly what i mean! I loooove music myself and can listen to that all the time, but its the voices i can´t tolerate.

Oh, the background music is movies is so distracting I can't follow the dialogue. My husband channel surfing & hearing bits & pieces of things drives me up the wall. Trying to follow someone's conversation in a restaurant is so hard with all the other people talking at all the other tables. Sometimes I can lip read; other times I just give up trying to understand & process what they are saying & smile & nod--they could be telling me how their father just died & I smile & nod!

The other day I was on a plane (about a 3 1/2 hour trip) & it was like torture for me as the lady across the aisle was eating popcorn from a bag that made a crinkling sound every time she stuck her hand in & she ate popcorn during the whole flight, except when she went to the restroom & I so wanted to grab that bag & hide it. Major distraction--can't read, can't think, get really agitated.

That's why I don't have the TV or radio on when I'm at home. If I go to visit someone & they have a TV on, I can't concentrate on the conversation. I do have ADHD & take Concerta for that so I don't know if it is related to that or I'm also dxed as bipolar 1, but taking meds for that, too.

Loud talkers on their cell phones in public, music playing EVERYWHERE--at restaurants, stores, even in the restrooms at the grocery store. Let me pee in peace, at least!--Suzy

[LoneRose]

Originally Posted by Suzy5654

Oh, the background music is movies is so distracting I can't follow the dialogue. My husband channel surfing & hearing bits & pieces of things drives me up the wall. Trying to follow someone's conversation in a restaurant is so hard with all the other people talking at all the other tables. Sometimes I can lip read; other times I just give up trying to understand & process what they are saying & smile & nod--they could be telling me how their father just died & I smile & nod!

The other day I was on a plane (about a 3 1/2 hour trip) & it was like torture for me as the lady across the aisle was eating popcorn from a bag that made a crinkling sound every time she stuck her hand in & she ate popcorn during the whole flight, except when she went to the restroom & I so wanted to grab that bag & hide it. Major distraction--can't read, can't think, get really agitated.

That's why I don't have the TV or radio on when I'm at home. If I go to visit someone & they have a TV on, I can't concentrate on the conversation. I do have ADHD & take Concerta for that so I don't know if it is related to that or I'm also dxed as bipolar 1, but taking meds for that, too.

Loud talkers on their cell phones in public, music playing EVERYWHERE--at restaurants, stores, even in the restrooms at the grocery store. Let me pee in peace, at least!--Suzy

HA ha ha thats sooo funny, i absolutely HATE the sound of crips bag etc that makes that crinkling sound, always have. And even worse... the sound of someone eating!!!!!

[Jaydenwolf]

Ah yes, I know exactly what you mean.
It pains me at restaurants. I can barely enjoy a nice meal because I zone out to the surrounding chatter.
Even worse yet, the frozen food section at the grocery store and that horrible whir.

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by Slothrop

Yes! The worse I am doing mentally, the less I can tolerate. If I am doing OK, noise and hubbub are just annoying. If I am doing badly, they go into overload and I can't think coherently. Meds like Abilify/Lamictal/lithium have a strong influence over how much I can tolerate.

Yes, I agree... It is when I am at my worst when I can't stand noise or to be touched... Lately, when my dd calls my name I jump out of my skin...my anxiety is through the roof right now... I am hanging on by my toes...

TJ

[Razzleberry]

I have Social Anxiety (on top of my Bipolar and Borderline!!) so I have issues in large crowds, regardless of the noise level. I just get nervous around too many people. I can't shop on Black Friday or near Christmas because I just can't handle the crowds!

Yours does sound like some kind of anxiety issue. I don't think it's necessarily related to the Bipolar.

[LoneRose]

Originally Posted by Razzleberry

I have Social Anxiety (on top of my Bipolar and Borderline!!) so I have issues in large crowds, regardless of the noise level. I just get nervous around too many people. I can't shop on Black Friday or near Christmas because I just can't handle the crowds!

Yours does sound like some kind of anxiety issue. I don't think it's necessarily related to the Bipolar.

I do have big problems with too many people too. I never shop on a saturday or when the sale is on because i just freak out. There is too many sounds and too many people. I don´t like people being close to me, pushing, talking, coughing, breathing.. Makes me feel very uneasy and angry.

[Schatje]

I totally understand. I can't stand too much noise and stimulation like lots of people moving around or too many colors all at once. I try and limit my time in those situations. It messes with my moods if I don't take myself away from it, but I think it stems from anxiety first.

[multipixie9]

hi folks,

i have a different set of dx, but totally get the
overwhelmed feeling that crowds and noise can
do to me. it makes me feel as tense as piano wire.

one thing i can do for myself in some situations is
try using soft, foam earplugs. like on an airplane when
i get that closed in and noisy edginess going on then
i put the ear plugs in and it blocks out considerable
amounts of the noise and turns it into a sort of "white
noise" blur that i can ignore better. i don't know if
it would help you, but it's worth a few euros or dollars
to try it out and see if it helps. depending on what kind
of situation you are in, you might try it elsewhere. The
good thing is you aren't completely without hearing so
if there is a need to get your attention you can. i've
been using something like this for 28 years due to my
spouse's infernal snoring! Even with the plugs in I always
heard my little ones if they cried at night. weird but
true.

[AnnHertel]

I go through phases where sometimes it is hard to me to be in a loud environment or under too much stimulation. Such as the chatter in class can be overwhelming, the noise in a mall or at a bar. Sometimes it's too much for me to put on my denim jeans so I resort to my sweats and pj bottoms. I'm sure strangers interpret this as my being lazy or unkempt, but it is because I cannot handle putting on jeans. If I do force myself to put on jeans... it's very hard on me. I cannot handle the clingy material... it makes my skin crawl and I want to fling them off...

I did some poking around on the Internet and found information which confirmed that I am not being silly about the sensory sensitivity... it turns out many people with this disorder respond the same way. Here is an excerpt form one of the articles:

"In bipolar disorders, sensory disturbances can be cyclical. A person in a manic phase may find that she has a heightened response to certain types of sensation… sometimes to the point of being unable to wear their usual clothes (jeans and socks are suddenly too scratchy), eat their regular diet (everything smells gross, tastes weird, and makes them feel like retching), or handle a normal level of sensory input (the sounds and smells of school or the shopping mall become rapidly overwhelming)."

I hope this helps

[LoneRose]

Originally Posted by AnnHertel

I go through phases where sometimes it is hard to me to be in a loud environment or under too much stimulation. Such as the chatter in class can be overwhelming, the noise in a mall or at a bar. Sometimes it's too much for me to put on my denim jeans so I resort to my sweats and pj bottoms. I'm sure strangers interpret this as my being lazy or unkempt, but it is because I cannot handle putting on jeans. If I do force myself to put on jeans... it's very hard on me. I cannot handle the clingy material... it makes my skin crawl and I want to fling them off...

I did some poking around on the Internet and found information which confirmed that I am not being silly about the sensory sensitivity... it turns out many people with this disorder respond the same way. Here is an excerpt form one of the articles:

"In bipolar disorders, sensory disturbances can be cyclical. A person in a manic phase may find that she has a heightened response to certain types of sensation… sometimes to the point of being unable to wear their usual clothes (jeans and socks are suddenly too scratchy), eat their regular diet (everything smells gross, tastes weird, and makes them feel like retching), or handle a normal level of sensory input (the sounds and smells of school or the shopping mall become rapidly overwhelming)."

I hope this helps

Yoy are definately not alone on that one. When i feel down i can´t wear most of my clothes because it makes me feel trapped. It all feels like it is suffocating me and i wear tracksuit instead or very loose fitted clothes. I had no idea that this is linked to this illness.

[diannes]

Originally Posted by LoneRose

I was wondering if you also have problems with loud noise and places with many people at the same time?

I have always had big problems with loud noise like when many people talk at the same time. I can´t filter out sounds so i just hear it all at the same time. It is very frustrating and quite scary. I also have problems with hearing what people are saying if there is many sounds around me.

Yesterday we went to an indoor play area with my son. We had never been there before and we were quite excited about going. But as soon as we stepped inside i felt awful!!! The place was HUGE and it was packed full of screaming kids and parents. I froze... We went in and i just freaked out big time I had to really fight not to start crying. I just wanted to run away very fast. I couldn´t even start playing with my son and had to send in his dad instead.. I felt so bad abut it but don´t know what happened to me. I sat as far away as i could and wrote my feelings down.

My son loved it there, thank god.

I did feel better after maybe an hour, i started to relax more i think, but is was not a pleasant experince. Not a place i will go to again thats for sure!

Since my diagnosis (so, I guess since medication) I have problems in loud places. Too much noise and stimulation disturbs me.

[tarabug922]

Hi there,

I get sound magnification sometimes, sounds a little like what you're talking about. Everything comes together to create this massive noise and nothing makes sense, like I can't pick out any one word. I don't know how to stop it, but wanted to let you know that you're not alone.

Tara

[coil]

I have always hated being in room with chaotic noises and a lot of people. Even bright lights, especially florescent ones would just cut through me and I would freak out and have to leave the place as soon as possible. I believe it's just sensory overload. However, I found something that was an absolute life saver and could make any place, completely silent. The Bose Noise-Canceling headphones. They're a little pricey but well worth it. You can turn on the canceling function without any music and you cannot hear a thing except for a soothing white noise. Good luck

[orange girl]

Old thread sorry... the topic and responses were interesting to me though...

I have a huge problem with noise when I am already in an agitated state, when the stress is up and the commentary in my head won't shut up at me, if there is a lot of noise, especially electronic noise; Tv, video games, radio so on, plus people talking and milling around and movement it is like it all blends into one huge screaming grey static and gets messed up with the static irritation already in my head and I can not even think, just a complete sensory overload.

I had to go sit on the edge of the bottom shelf in and empty asile and just depressurize while we were doing our christmas shopping last month, it annoyed my husband quite a bit (me being so irritated for no reason he could understand)

Ironically, perhaps though, when I am in a very good elevated eveything is shiny mood, especially if it is warm and sunny out, one of my favorite things to do is lie in the grass by myself with my eyes closed and just listen to all the sounds. I can do it for hours if nothing distracts me and just be in bliss and zone out from all my own thoughts while I pick out a story going on all around, the longer I listen I can hear the tinest things, a leaf dropping across the yard and a bug flying by and a ball being bounced down the road... all at once and all seperate 'til it feels like something special has just swooped me into it.

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by orange girl

Old thread sorry... the topic and responses were interesting to me though...

I have a huge problem with noise when I am already in an agitated state, when the stress is up and the commentary in my head won't shut up at me, if there is a lot of noise, especially electronic noise; Tv, video games, radio so on, plus people talking and milling around and movement it is like it all blends into one huge screaming grey static and gets messed up with the static irritation already in my head and I can not even think, just a complete sensory overload.

I had to go sit on the edge of the bottom shelf in and empty asile and just depressurize while we were doing our christmas shopping last month, it annoyed my husband quite a bit (me being so irritated for no reason he could understand)

Ironically, perhaps though, when I am in a very good elevated eveything is shiny mood, especially if it is warm and sunny out, one of my favorite things to do is lie in the grass by myself with my eyes closed and just listen to all the sounds. I can do it for hours if nothing distracts me and just be in bliss and zone out from all my own thoughts while I pick out a story going on all around, the longer I listen I can hear the tinest things, a leaf dropping across the yard and a bug flying by and a ball being bounced down the road... all at once and all seperate 'til it feels like something special has just swooped me into it.

Noise really gets too me... Recently, I had my adrenal glands checked and they were abnormal as far as the test range... I will have to start taking steroids to fix the problem... He told me that was probably the reason for my anxiety...

TJ