23 years old and I think I may have SPD

by Eve
(Dallas, TX. USA)

Most of these cases I have seen involve children, I am not autistic, however, my brother is. I need to figure out what's wrong with me, for as long as I can remember I have not been able to wear collared shirts, I freak out and end up tearing them. The tips of my fingers and toes, including nails, cannot touch anything of rough material or my whole body gets goose bumps and I have to swipe my tongue throughout the tips of teeth to relieve myself or scratch my fingernails on top of my other hands finger nails. It started getting better. However, I have no idea how it got to this point, but recently after giving birth, I noticed that it has gotten worse.It's to the point where I can't really turn the pages of my books or magazines without cringing, I constantly am afraid of my hands drying out because it feels worse that way.It's hard working in the medical field and having to hold everything in. Somebody please help me, I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Or just to know I'm not alone.



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Jun 04, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks to all your comments
by: Eve

Thank you all so much for your comments! I'm glad I'm not the only "older" person who may have spd! And as far as the tongue thing Blair, I seriously thought no one could relate! I guess we all know the feeling! As far as baby raising with all these little quirks...so far he hasn't picked up any of my odd behaviors, but he's only 14 months so I understand a mother's concern. Lately, I've been thinking of getting help again since I've posted this, but I'm so deathly scared that it would be documented on paper and it would hurt my chances somehow of getting into med school thinking that my behavior may interfere....I'm fed ip with these habits, but I'll never forgive myself if I don't reach my goals because I let my habits defeat me.
Sep 03, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		NICE TO KNOW BLAIR
by: Anonymous

Yeah The tongue thing is what worried me because not a lot of people can relate to it!IT's kind of embarrassing because even just thinking about it gives me goosebumps and people can tell when I get all weird. I too am worried about family life I already have a new baby and I really don't want him to pick up my stupid habits, so I can relate to your family fears!!
Aug 31, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		I just thought I was weird
by: Blair

I'm about to be 20 years old and I just found out about a year or two ago that spd was even a real thing, my whole life I just thought I was weird.

my main thing is when silverware scrapes on plates or teeth. I grew up eating with plastic silverware and plastic bowls/paper plates. so anytime I hear someone scraping something (or I'm at a restaurant and have to use regular utensils and scrape) I get really bad goosebumps too.

with that, and especially when my fingernails scrape the car underneath the door handle, I get goosebumps and have to flick my tongue over my teeth to make myself feel normal again too, and sometimes I have to run my fingernails over something else too.

I didn't even start noticing that I flicked my tongue over my teeth until recently, I guess I just always did it as a reflex and didn't notice. so that's amazing to me that you do it too, I thought it was just me...I thought all of this was just me really.

even though I was told a year or two ago by my regular therapist that I could have spd, I never really looked into it or read up on it until today and I'm shocked/amazed at all these checklists I've seen because everything on there is who I am. it makes me feel like, if I didn't have SPD...would I just be normal? who would I be?

I want to get therapy/treatment for this only for the sole fact that I want to be able to eat normal. one of my things is I'm REALLY picky with food and I definitely don't eat healthy, I can't even make myself try anything new. BUT I want to be able to eat right so that when my boyfriend and I get married and decide to have a family, I'll be able to eat right for my baby so that it won't be a factor in getting them sick or anything while I'm pregnant.

everything else I can deal with, just being weird and whatnot, because I don't know how to be anyway else really, I dunno really.

ANYWAY wayyyy too long of a comment, but I thought it was cool that we both do the tongue thing haha
Jul 27, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		tags
by: Anonymous

OH my goodness, eve, I am the same exact way. Ive always been this way , since i was a child. Certain rough materials against my fingernails is like nails on a chalkboard for others. Ive never been able to handle waistbands touching my bellybutton, always seek soft comfortable clothes. And TAGS???For me they are the devil!! As a child i used to cry when my mother would put tagged clothes on me. Now, I cut them all out-tagfree is the BEST invention for someone with SPD. I always thought I was weird. Now I know, at the age of 44 ,there is a name for my peculiarities. AMEN!!!
Jul 22, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		me
by: Anonymous

Thanks a lot guys interestingly enough I work at a clinic and wear latex gloves with the powder in them when I started using the other types latex- free it seemed to have lowered my sensitivity level.
Jul 22, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		anonymous
by: Anonymous

we all have some sensory issues to some degree. we all have sounds, smells, textures that are not pleasing to us or that we absolutely cannot stand. they can come and go in intensity for sure.

if these things are interfering with day to day living, consider seeking a professional. there are many qualified occupational therapists who can aide in helping to learn effective coping strategies/tools and who can help you decrease the sensitives and well as be a great sounding board for your concerns. i'm not sure how medication would help in this scenario as previously posted.... i would personally seek out any other alternative type of help before medicating.

(i have a son with spd issues and the ot has been a wealth of knowledge and resources.)

good luck.
Jul 15, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Don't panic
by: Stuart

You are not alone or losing the plot, my case is a tad different but I struggle with certain things like touch, altered sensations, pain to the point of nausea! Try getting an appointment with a pain specialist certain meds may help.

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