Trying to cope as an adult with Tactile Defensiveness

by Hillary
(Blackshear, GA)

I am a 29 year old female with Tactile Defensiveness. As a kid it wasn't that much of a deal to me to have the issues I have with touch, textures, and such. I never received any therapy, I was just told to grow up or not to react to things or avoid whatever bothered me. (Which was hard to do.) But as an adult it is hard to sometimes function. My friends don't understand, and my family tells me I need to get over this.




Are there any other adults out there struggling, or is my family right and I need to get over it? But how? It seems harder for me now than when I was younger. I literally get in the fetal position if I am touched when I am sitting or laying down. I can not handle being in crowds and getting touched, feeling sand, grass, carpets, or anything besides socks on my bare feet, among a multitude of other tactile issues. I cannot even comfortably talk or hear talk of being touched, or messing with certain textures. It makes me cringe.

Seriously, can it get worse, because that is how I feel? It is so hard sometimes and people do not understand. Any help or info would be appreciated...



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Dec 27, 2009
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Me too!!!
by: Issy

I've always have had issues with tactile defensiveness. At the age of 31,I got the diagnosis of Sensory Integration Disorder less than a week ago from an OT. At my next appointment she is going to be giving me some things to try so I can deal with this better.

Do you like deep pressure? Are you comforted by multiple blankets at night? Two of the things my OT suggested so far is under armour or compression shirts and a weighted blanket.

Look into getting an evaluation and some treatment from an OT. They should be able to help you out a lot.

Dec 20, 2009
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Google it!
by: Anonymous

I would suspect that, since there is therapy for children, you could investigate therapy for adults. Many people who had this problem in childhood when there was little therapy are now wondering what to do. Google it!

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