Sensory processing challenges and anxiety

People with sensory processing challenges often feel anxious. That’s because they can’t control every aspect of their daily lives. Something can pop up that makes them extremely uncomfortable. Bright lights. Loud noises. Strong smells. All of these can create stress — and sensory overload. 

Most people have no trouble organizing the information they get from their senses. But kids and adults with sensory processing challenges struggle with it.

Some may be much more sensitive to things like sounds, sights, textures, flavors, and smells. They may try to avoid sensory input they can’t tolerate.

Other people may be less sensitive to these things. For example, they may seek out — or not notice — strong flavors, flashing lights, or loud music.

Some people are both oversensitive to some things and undersensitive to others.

Anxiety is more common in people who are oversensitive. They often worry about what lies ahead. Sources of stress may include:

• Trips to places they know to be noisy or crowded, like the mall

• New places that they might find intolerable

• Feeling unprepared or worrying that something unexpected may happen 

Learn more about sensory overload and anxiety — and how to help.

Sensory overload happens when one or more of our senses is overstimulated. There’s suddenly too much information coming in for our brain to process. 

Maybe it’s the roaring hand dryers in a public restroom. Or a sports bar with each TV showing a different channel. Or the morning routine of getting dressed.

Different things can trigger sensory overload in different people. But it’s so intense that it can make people anxious about everyday activities. People may worry about when or where their senses will get flooded and how they’ll escape. 

Learn more about sensory overload.

Here’s what anxiety might look like in people with sensory processing challenges:

• A grade-schooler who’s oversensitive to food flavors and textures may refuse to go to a sleepover because she’s worried about what she’ll have to eat at her friend’s house.

• A teen who’s oversensitive to touch may stand in a corner at family gatherings, hoping to avoid hugs.

• An adult who can’t tolerate the sound of buzzing insects may feel tense about going to a barbecue — or may panic if a bug (buzzing or not) comes too close.

Explore more examples of how sensory processing challenges can affect everyday life.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you’re seeing signs of a sensory challenge or something else. 

For instance, kids who dread getting dressed in the morning may be oversensitive to clothing. Or they might be anxious about going to school because of an undiagnosed learning difference. 

One big clue is that it’s rare for sensory challenges to be limited to one thing — like getting dressed. Another clue is timing. A child with sensory challenges might dread getting dressed every morning. But a child with anxiety might only dread getting dressed on school days.

Learn how an evaluation can pinpoint what’s going on. 

Learn more about sensory processing challenges and what may be adding to the anxiety. For instance, kids with ADHD often have sensory challenges and anxiety. The same is true for kids with autism spectrum disorder.

There are ways you can help manage both sensory challenges and anxiety: 

• Explore strategies you can try at home for trouble with sensory processing. 

• Learn the signs of anxiety at different ages. 

• Take notes on what you’re seeing and talk to your health care provider. They may refer you to a specialist who can help, like a psychologist or an occupational therapist.