I am somewhat convinced that I am a sensory seeking type.
I seldom feel comfortable without my music blasting in the background (usually metal or gangster rap). My idea of comfort food is XXX-hot Thai or Indian food. I love rollercoasters very much, the more twists, turns and loops, the better it is for me.
Even more odd, I sometimes seek out senses that I really do not enjoy or appreciate. I feel odd if there is not something in my mouth at any given time - I tend to chew up all the pens I have in my apartment, for example.
So, this is part of how my SPD manifests itself. Heh.
I like Heavy Metal and Opera music, because they hit certain notes that tend to make a positive physical response in me. I hate Flutes and off key singers because they make a major negative physical response in me.
I have problems with being in a car or any moving vehicle that moves too slow, but crave the same vehicle going too fast (usually past the safety recommendations). Rollercoasters are wonderful, especially smooth track rollercoasters that do lots of twists and turns. Wooden and Bumpy (usually due to age) Rollercoasters are hell on earth.
I used to chew ice until my Dentist yelled at me for causing so much damage to my teeth. I have always chewed gum.
I love bear hugs, but gentle hugs are torture.
I find that I crave all over pressure, but will have serious problems with any type of pressure that only affects one portion of my body.
Everyone has to find a balance. Makes sense that, if one sense gets overloaded easily, you will need more input from another.
I'm the same with deep pressure. I also like to scratch (sometimes to bleeding
) my own skin or pull my hair. Sad but true.
I don't like to scratch, but scratch anyways to the point of bleeding. Then I know two things: I need to do the Wilbarger Protocol and cut my nails ASAP.
One common problem I have is scratching at scabs or moles. I don't even realize I am doing it until my hands are bloody.
Same here, beck, on the moles and scabs. My worst is acne, though. Should I be unfortunate enough to have a blemish anywhere, it will bleed. (Sorry for the gross out.)
On the more plus side, I crave the motion and touch of playing the piano. The louder, the better.
What exactly is the Wilbarger Protocol? Does it help?
Acne isn't supposed to bleed when you scratch it uncontrollably? Someone should tell my acne that...
I have mentioned the the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol a few places in these boards. If you google Wilbarger Protocol you should be able to find a detailed description. It helps a lot, especially if your nerves feel like they are on fire or you have ants crawling all over you.
@beck - lol! Yeah, my acne forgot to take the non-bleeding class in acne school, too.
@Ourfishies - In many people, the Wilbarger Brushing Protocol can be helpful.
This article gives a brief run-down of the material about it, and
this article gives a run-down from a therapy company's perspective. As you can see, it is usually used for people with sensory defensiveness. There is some disagreement about it as a therapy because it has not completed clinical trials very far and is used mostly anecdotally, and many people do it in different, not necessarily approved ways (compared to the originators of it). Just remember, you really need an OT to determine if it would help and to teach it. There are lots of little niggling rules that go along with it that make a difference in its proper application.