Suddenly sensitive

by Trisha
(Asia)

I am a mother of a 15 turning 16 year old daughter. I remember her having some symptoms of SPD as a kid. But it was very mild. She didn't like kisses from her dad because of his facial hair and she wipes off after. I cut quite a few tags off, had a few battles with her concerning clothes and accessories. and up until now she really HATES it when someone combs her hair. She would clench her teeth or bite her tongue. She said she didn't like saying ouch too many times when her sister or I combs her hair as she feels it's extremely annoying if she does. But if her grandma brushes her hair, she will keep saying ouch after each stroke and take the brush away to comb her hair herself. It even hurts for her to brush it herself.




Showers were never too much of a problem but there were sometimes where she felt that the water hitting her really hurt like tiny arrows stabbing her. She used to only be able to sleep if someone scratched her back until she fell asleep. Now, she can't fall asleep unless a pillow or a bolster is constantly touching her back. She doesn't mind teeth brushing since little and even found it too ticklish when someone else brushed her teeth for her. She is excessively ticklish and will hit whoever tickles her.

She has a habit since young where she bites her nails and cuticle. She used to chew her shirts. Now, she constantly needs something in her mouth so she keeps her bitten off nails in her mouth (even through the night) and eats even when she isn't hungry. As a kid she would keep her food in her mouth and didn't chew. But she also can't stand food that's is too spicy, sour or salty and once almost vomited from swallowing yogurt and actually vomited from the smell of


her medicine before. She gets really scared and panicked if she has to swallow a pill. However, she isnt a picky eater at all.And the list goes on. but of course these issues are quite mild and I never really thought too much about it.. After all it didn't affect her daily functioning or her behavior in school.


Now I think her senses are getting worse. She only wears either her pajamas or just three pairs of shirt and 3 pairs of shorts. No long sleeves. (she rolls up the sleeves of her pyjamas) She only likes wearing sports bra but doesnt mind underwear too much.. She always had her 'favorite' pieces of clothing and would be devastated if she outgrew them.

Lately, her Tactile sense has been worsening and she is getting more annoyed at her clothing. Even the tablecloth is starting to annoy her. She always had a sensitive nose but it seems to be getting more sensitive. Her hearing is keeping her awake at night these few days.. It all happened suddenly but she did have a few changes in her life recently. Not too extreme though. Even though it's worsening, it is still mild and doesn't really affect her life too much. She still gets her appropriate hours of sleep still.


I'm just wondering weather these are just normal issues or does she have a mild case of SPD? Is it possible for her to suddenly get increasingly sensitive almost overnight? I just want to know if it is normal behavior or has happened before. My other children dont really have symptoms of SPD.. Accept one that has sensitive hearing and hears sounds that others don't normally hear and has sensitive smell too. I just want to know if it sounds like I need to worry or if that's completely normal behavior. To me, it's not much of a problem. But i want to hear what others think. Thank you for reading.

Comments for Suddenly sensitive

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
I know how it feels to be suddenly sensetive.
by: Anonymous

I am fourteen years old and when I was four I was diagnosed with SPD. I have only a mild case but it can be really annoying sometimes. Like ur daughter I am also hypersensitive. There have been times where I am in target with my mom and I can here the sound of shopping carts at the opposite end of the store as me or where I have had to walk out of an isle because there were too many bright objects or omari Many objects close together and it hurt my head to look at. Though, usually my symptoms aren't to bad unless I don't eat for a long time or if I don't get enough sleep. I know how it feels to be suddenly sensitive. It kind of seemed like in the past year my symptoms have just suddenly returned. Just make sure she gets enough sleep and keep going with the coping skills that she was taught when she was younger. They help a lot. We all have things we have to get through to make us stronger and that we have to deal with, and this is just one of those things that you have to get through to get to the light at the end of the tunnel I guess. I hope that helps, and God bless! :)

Mar 16, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
maybe diet take out food dye/preservatives
by: Alice

My daughter is showing similar signs, but it comes and goes, and she is only 5, but its a new thing this past yr for us. Starting to research all of this, and i am finding alot about foods, food dyes and preservatives and links to these problems. i am starting to attempt this path, as its something i can do and control and if it helps what a great healthy alternative to too much therapy and medication. worth looking into, can;t hurt. good luck!!

Jan 07, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Suddenly Sensitive
by: Anonymous

I would definitely ask your doctor for a prescription to get an evaluation with an occupational therapist for sensory processing disorder. The things you describe are classic symptoms. Many insurance policies cover OT treatments. You will have to search for an OT that has expertise in SPD and is able to work with teenager and adults. The OT will have an arsenal of tools to help in the many tactile and auditory areas.

In the meantime, work with your daughter and watch and chart for times that she is having the worse symptoms. My daughter is very sensitive to weather changes,high and lo pressure changes. We found this out by using this method also is she gets too hungry or not enough sleep. And certainly research online and in the library for books and articles on SPD and ways to desensitize. Your DD has been doing this unconsciously since she was born, coping with it naturally. Talk to her, you maybe surprised to learn the things she does to cope and calm herself and maybe be able to help her when she is have a tough time.

My DD hates many types of protein, so I respect that and try to serve her the foods that she likes (she must help out planning meals, even cooks and cleans up) She chews gum constantly to have something in her mouth, sugar free or low sugar, maybe your daughter can substitute gum for nail biting. Also my DD loves her Snuggie, instead of piles of blankets or a weighted blanket on her, she found wrapping herself in a Snuggie works. In the summer, we tuck a sheet and blanket really tightly under the bed and put stuffed animals and pillows around. She is old enough to arrange them herself.She loves thing close around her and tight.

Jan 03, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
SPD?
by: Anonymous

Hello Trisha, I know the problems that you have listed, with some small difference on the food because she is picky eater.il the child psychiatrist thinks she is in ASD, and SPD will be the consequence. But this is my case. Recommended with a specialist. Regards

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Tactile Defensiveness.