Tactile Defensiveness In a Young Adult

by B.P.
(US)

I am a 19 year old male with (what I believe to be) Tactile Defensiveness. I never even knew there was something wrong until my early teens, and never even tried to seek help until just a few months ago.

My overall symptoms:
- I've never liked getting wet. Once my skin dries it becomes extremely (At some rare times it has been cripplingly) irritated. This makes handwashing a tumultuous ordeal if I don't have hand lotion readily available.
- Sand, chalk, "fuzzy" textures, paper, a thousand other things are extremely irritating at times.
- My feet are extremely sensitive. I wear socks 24 hours of the day, except in the shower.
- "Craving" pressure. When I was younger, as a way to cope with what was going on, (I was extremely confused about it) I used to sit on, or squeeze my hands when they were irritated from dryess. I think maybe cutting off circulation for a bit helped to calm my nerves.
- Stimuli other than direct touch can lead to irritation (Like a fingernails on chalkboard things).
- Most of my discomfort comes from my skin being dry, but can also be a result of things like certain soaps(especially dish soap), really 'sandy' mud, or a lot of other things 'on' my skin.
- At a young age I was somewhat socially recluse, but I have not had any major impairment (as far as I know) of development as a result, as I've been able to cope in various... and sometimes strange... ways. Thank goodness!

One thing that confuses me, though, is the majority of resources I have found regarding SPD's are geared toward infants and young children, and specifically those with a form of autism or other mental disorder. I have never been diagnosed with, or suspected of having anything beyond ADHD (Which I was found to not have), so much of the information I've found is a bit... difficult to apply to my situation.

As a result of lacking health insurance for the last few months, (It wasn't until this year that I even knew there was a disorder called Tactile Defensiveness) I am unable to just go out and see doctors and therapists freely. So if anyone knows whom I can contact about more information, or even something I can do that won't cost hundreds--if not thousands-- of dollars (Whoopee!! Uninsured health appointments!!)-- It would be much appreciated.