Supermarkets are my nemesis, blotting my copy book on an otherwise, quite successful recovery from stroke. In my opinion, they contain all the elements needed for a perfect storm; Strip lighting, shelves of products to search, the noise and the bustle of people all in one space, is an assault to my senses. What I experience, is called sensory overload and it can happen to anyone. However, it’s more likely to occur in people with brain injuries, autism, PTSD or Fibromyalgia to name but a few conditions. And it often results in an indescribable panic.
Understanding Sensory Overload
Trips to supermarkets are always fraught, and rarely go without minor personal embarrassment, but I had never pondered on its cause-and-effect post -stroke; until that is, following a particular incident last year, during the nations ‘toilet roll crisis’. The mix of a stressful situation, empty shelves and too many people; I felt all the noise merge into one, resulting in a complete meltdown over absent baked beans. Panic taking over, I just left my shopping and ‘legged’ it to the exit. Since my day-to-day life isn’t centred entirely around visiting supermarkets, I thought little about the why, until the baked bean’s debacle.
If you think of your brain as a computer and your five senses as the way it processes information, sensory overload becomes easier to understand. When too many conflicting senses are used at once your brain can overload with conflicting messages. In someone like me, who has experienced brain injury, it means my brain confuses what it needs to focus on. In a setting, such as supermarkets, all the background noise merges together like a symbol clashing in my head. I become anxious, tearful and confused. Understanding your personal triggers, is essential in order to put strategies in place to mitigate the related effects. Mine are predominantly focussed around noise, harsh lights and crowded places.
Here’s a link to some more relevant reading – Understanding Sensory Overload | The Busy Papa
How to deal with Sensory Overload
Online grocery shopping can be a very useful approach for people experiencing similar feelings to mine. However, my preferred coping strategies are to plan supermarket shopping in quieter periods, with my partner, since he’s someone who knows me well. I also divide shopping into more manageable chunks with a list, so, even if I am shopping alone, I will not be in the environment hich for longer than necessary. Wearing a sunflower lanyard, which many supermarkets now offer, promotes understanding that you may need additional support. I find the lanyards a reassuring comfort, particularly on a solo visit. I’m never going to find these situations easy, but my strategies work for me, boosting my confidence to achieve everyday things, which are part of life.
A great piece here about some coping strategies – How to Deal with Sensory Overload: 19 Coping Strategies | The Health Sessions
How we can help
If you need a helping hand to remain as independent as possible, it is worth noting, that Right at Home Solent offers a variety of services that can help you in the home, as well as offering support outside of it. Their care givers are personally selected to match you and what you need. Get in touch today on 01329 233755 and have a chat with one of our friendly team.
