hi all, this is my first time here.
first of all i'm sorry if i'll have spelling mistakes because my native tounge is hebrew. i have a mix of adhd, spd and general anxiety disorder. i wanted to ask if anyone had the exprience of having an anxiety attack because of being exposed to loud noise and crowded places.
thanks
michal

Hi Michal. Yes, it definitely happens to me. I think it is a result of the flight or fight, all humans have. With SPD, I believe it is triggered in us, far more, because these surrounding overloads, do feel threatening to us. But how do you fight, a loud crowd, loud speakers, bad smells - on the spur of the moment? So naturally, we want to flee, but we also do not want to look like we are nuts, because no one else is in that primal state, seemingly, it just us. The result is anxiety. What to do?? I have ADHD too, and feel that, not only am I easily overwhelmed, but in ALL directions. Focusing on One of the senses, thats overwhelming me,(to come to terms with it) is nearly impossible for me, because I cant focus on one thing - almost ever, and I am usually overwhelmed by multiple senses, especially in crowds. I dealt with it much better, when I was on ADHD medication, and the occasional sedative. But now, I go it alone, so basically - I rarely go. I am still trying to work it out, and not sure if its possible alone. Understanding why it happens though, makes me feel a bit better about it. Hope this helps in understanding why its possibly happening.

(08-21-2012, 10:24 AM)shorrocksalot24 Wrote: Hi Michal. Yes, it definitely happens to me. I think it is a result of the flight or fight, all humans have. With SPD, I believe it is triggered in us, far more, because these surrounding overloads, do feel threatening to us. But how do you fight, a loud crowd, loud speakers, bad smells - on the spur of the moment? So naturally, we want to flee, but we also do not want to look like we are nuts, because no one else is in that primal state, seemingly, it just us. The result is anxiety. What to do?? I have ADHD too, and feel that, not only am I easily overwhelmed, but in ALL directions. Focusing on One of the senses, thats overwhelming me,(to come to terms with it) is nearly impossible for me, because I cant focus oone thing - almost ever, and I am usually overwhelmed by multiple senses, especially in crowds. I dealt with it much better, when I was on ADHD medication, and the occasional sedative. But now, I go it alone, so basically - I rarely go. I am still trying to work it out, and not sure if its possible alone. Understanding why it happens though, makes me feel a bit better about it. Hope this helps in understanding why its possibly happening.

Thanks
I talked to my doc today and she explained that some substances release from the brain in fight or flight situations. Because of that I had a hard time going to sleep and experienced the anxiety attack
I also can't take meds for ADHD because of brutal side effects. I guess I should try to avoid crowded places as much as I can. Sometimes I use ear plugs and it helps a little. I feel better today but I think I' ll stay in the forum for a while and try to learn from the experience of you and the others here.

(08-21-2012, 03:04 PM)michalt Wrote:

(08-21-2012, 10:24 AM)shorrocksalot24 Wrote: Hi Michal. Yes, it definitely happens to me. I think it is a result of the flight or fight, all humans have. With SPD, I believe it is triggered in us, far more, because these surrounding overloads, do feel threatening to us. But how do you fight, a loud crowd, loud speakers, bad smells - on the spur of the moment? So naturally, we want to flee, but we also do not want to look like we are nuts, because no one else is in that primal state, seemingly, it just us. The result is anxiety. What to do?? I have ADHD too, and feel that, not only am I easily overwhelmed, but in ALL directions. Focusing on One of the senses, thats overwhelming me,(to come to terms with it) is nearly impossible for me, because I cant focus oone thing - almost ever, and I am usually overwhelmed by multiple senses, especially in crowds. I dealt with it much better, when I was on ADHD medication, and the occasional sedative. But now, I go it alone, so basically - I rarely go. I am still trying to work it out, and not sure if its possible alone. Understanding why it happens though, makes me feel a bit better about it. Hope this helps in understanding why its possibly happening.

Thanks
I talked to my doc today and she explained that some substances release from the brain in fight or flight situations. Because of that I had a hard time going to sleep and experienced the anxiety attack
I also can't take meds for ADHD because of brutal side effects. I guess I should try to avoid crowded places as much as I can. Sometimes I use ear plugs and it helps a little. I feel better today but I think I' ll stay in the forum for a while and try to learn from the experience of you and the others here.

Hi,
My son got himself a pair of really good noise cancelling headphones. He always has them around his neck and puts them on when he is in loud places. I think they have to be playing something for them to work, but it can be anything from music to white noise. They are pretty pricey, starting at about $100 and going into the several hundreds. If it interests you, look at the options and read some reviews. My son found a pair he wanted and then got them much cheaper on EBAY. His first pair was not a really pricey one, when hae replaced them a couple years later, he upgraded to the snazzy ones, but the cheaper ones helped a lot as well.

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(09-27-2012, 02:22 AM)Indy1 Wrote:

(08-21-2012, 03:04 PM)michalt Wrote:

(08-21-2012, 10:24 AM)shorrocksalot24 Wrote: Hi Michal. Yes, it definitely happens to me. I think it is a result of the flight or fight, all humans have. With SPD, I believe it is triggered in us, far more, because these surrounding overloads, do feel threatening to us. But how do you fight, a loud crowd, loud speakers, bad smells - on the spur of the moment? So naturally, we want to flee, but we also do not want to look like we are nuts, because no one else is in that primal state, seemingly, it just us. The result is anxiety. What to do?? I have ADHD too, and feel that, not only am I easily overwhelmed, but in ALL directions. Focusing on One of the senses, thats overwhelming me,(to come to terms with it) is nearly impossible for me, because I cant focus oone thing - almost ever, and I am usually overwhelmed by multiple senses, especially in crowds. I dealt with it much better, when I was on ADHD medication, and the occasional sedative. But now, I go it alone, so basically - I rarely go. I am still trying to work it out, and not sure if its possible alone. Understanding why it happens though, makes me feel a bit better about it. Hope this helps in understanding why its possibly happening.

Thanks
I talked to my doc today and she explained that some substances release from the brain in fight or flight situations. Because of that I had a hard time going to sleep and experienced the anxiety attack
I also can't take meds for ADHD because of brutal side effects. I guess I should try to avoid crowded places as much as I can. Sometimes I use ear plugs and it helps a little. I feel better today but I think I' ll stay in the forum for a while and try to learn from the experience of you and the others here.

Hi,
My son got himself a pair of really good noise cancelling headphones. He always has them around his neck and puts them on when he is in loud places. I think they have to be playing something for them to work, but it can be anything from music to white noise. They are pretty pricey, starting at about $100 and going into the several hundreds. If it interests you, look at the options and read some reviews. My son found a pair he wanted and then got them much cheaper on EBAY. His first pair was not a really pricey one, when hae replaced them a couple years later, he upgraded to the snazzy ones, but the cheaper ones helped a lot as well.

Also, there is a product called RELAX, sold by a company called Point of Return. You can google them. Relax is also kind of pricey, like 40 bucks, but it is great stuff, derived from milk. The effect is subtle, as is often the case with nutircueticals, but they are calming. Lemon oil also helps with relaxation and sleep. You can get those from Swanson Vitamins online, or any supplement store and not expensive. These things are totally harmless...truly, unless you are alergic to milk products.

I have the same diagnoses. I use sound reduction earmuffs and guided meditation on my iPod. I also wrap an ace bandage rather tightly around my waste before I go out (yay for improvising!!). It makes me a little spacey, but in a good way, because it relaxes me a lot and I can wear it unnoticed under my clothes. A tight hat could help too. Also, taking better care of your other senses may help reduce your sound sensitivity a little bit. You could try wearing sunglasses or something (you wouldn't have to worry about looking people in the eye!). And you could try coping statements for the anxiety. I tell myself that I'm safe and in control and that no one can hurt me and that no one wants to hurt me. It's too bad you can't take ADHD meds. I wouldn't be able to survive without my Ritalin!