All stimuli that are received by our perceptual organs reach our brain directly via the nerve pathways. In the central nervous system, the brain thus has the most important task. All incoming stimuli are further processed and responded to here. Receptors in the various perceptual areas pick up stimuli and send them directly to the brain by electrochemical means. From here, they are processed further or send new stimuli to muscles or glands. Stimulus overload always occurs when the incoming stimuli can no longer be processed further in the brain.
What is stimulus overload?
Stimulus overload is an overreaction of the body in which it takes in so many stimuli that they can no longer be adequately processed and can lead to nervous overload. For the reception of stimuli from the environment, we humans have various senses at our disposal:
- Auditory perception (listening)
- Olfactory perception (smell)
- Gustatory perception (taste)
- Visual perception (see)
- Tactile perception (touch)
- Thermoreception (sense of temperature)
- Nociception (pain sensation)
- Vestibular perception (balance)
- Proprioception (body sensation)
Whenever the body takes in more stimuli via all these perceptual organs described above than it can process and transmit, a stimulus overload occurs. This overload inevitably leads to mental and physical overstrain. Depending on whether this overstimulation is of short or long duration, different physical symptoms appear. The processing limit or “pain threshold” for stimuli is as individual as each person. Stimulus overload is therefore dependent on the quantity of incoming stimuli and also on one’s own physical constitution. So someone who has a more sensitive and finer perception will be more likely to get into the state of stimulus overload (highly sensitive personality).
Causes
The permanent overload of nerve cells and brain puts the body in a state of stress. Norepinephrine, as the most important stimulating messenger (neurotransmitter), controls the reaction chain of stress hormones and other important messengers such as serotonin, melatonin, cortisol, etc. in this case. It serves to activate the body during stress and to adjust physical functions. However, in the case of stimulus overload, stress increases and the reaction chain of the important stress hormones gets out of balance and the associated excess of noradrenaline leads to consequential health disorders of the human organism. These health disturbances start very quietly and sometimes not noticeable for the patient at first. And yet they increase in intensity if the cause is not recognized and broken through as quickly as possible. As in an avalanche, a small stone moving down the valley triggers other stones that become larger and larger and go down the valley with all their might.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
The overstimulation manifests itself in very individual psychological and physical symptoms, which all causally have one thing in common: The excess release of neurotransmitters, which are out of natural balance in their function and mode of action and are disturbed. As a reminder, stimulus reception and transmission is a biochemical process that is regulated by various neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are messenger substances that transmit the excitation or stimulus from one nerve cell (synapse) to another. Serotonin is one of the most important messengers in the processing of stimuli. Serotonin influences the perception of pain, the waking and sleeping rhythm, and the state of mind. If the concentration of serotonin in the body is too low, mental illnesses such as depressive episodes, anxiety and aggression can occur. This example shows quite quickly how subtly and at the same time effectively shifted neurotransmitters work by overstimulating the brain.Concentration difficulties, loss of performance, sleep disorders, insomnia, chronic fatigue states, the burnout syndrome, chronic pain states, migraine, tinnitus, psychoses and depression are symptoms that should be taken seriously and should definitely be treated as a complaint.
Complications
If a stimulus overload remains undetected for a long time and thus the biochemical balance of the body is shifted for a longer period of time, damage that is difficult to compensate for can arise. Therefore, it is urgently recommended to conduct really differentiated cause research and to initiate a holistic treatment already at the first signs of concentration difficulties, loss of performance or even sleep problems. If detected at an early stage, the necessary measures can be taken and the downward spiral can be stopped. In the case of prolonged pain, tinnitus or depressive episodes, which are all signs of a prolonged phase of stimulus overload, serious complications can quickly arise. The biochemical balance of the body has been out of balance for too long, and the body shows symptoms that can only be cured with a lot of time and the right medication.
When should you go to the doctor?
It makes sense to go to the doctor at the first physical and psychological changes and do research on the causes. A migraine, for example, can have various causes. Whether a stimulus overload is a possible trigger for migraine attacks must be clarified, also as part of the therapy. Likewise, tinnitus, recognized and treated at the beginning, can be cured. A tinnitus that remains untreated for a longer period of time can very quickly become chronic. Sleep disorders or pain conditions also weaken the body after a short time and lead to secondary illnesses, whose healing takes a corresponding amount of time. The series could be continued in this way. Once and for all, the golden rule applies:
A visit to the doctor is necessary when the body shows changes that are unknown and restrict everyday life. A visit to the doctor can also be seen as a preventive measure and thus curb or even rule out more serious illnesses. The way should lead first to the family doctor, who can settle first Check – ups. For more differentiated examinations, the first choice is always a specialist. This specialist should remain in close contact with the family doctor and thus ensure close-meshed care. ENT specialists, endocrinologists, phoneaters, gastroenterologists,specialists in biochemistry, specialists in gynecology, specialists in internal medicine, specialists in psychiatry, specialists in neurology, specialists in psychosomatic medicine, depending on the symptoms, are those who can examine and treat more differentiated.
Diagnosis
In the disease of overstimulation, the classic diagnosis of exclusion is shown. In the gradual exclusion of all possible other diseases with similar symptoms, a final diagnosis remains at the end. The symptoms of overstimulation are similar to many other diseases, so that this way of diagnosis must be followed. Certainly, the classical exclusion diagnosis needs more time and patience from the patient. And yet, it enables treatment concepts that are tailored to the causes of stimulus overload and can thus have a causal effect.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment should be holistic and different therapies should be able to work side by side. Thus, in addition to medication with certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (called SSRIs or antidepressants) or melatonin, it makes sense to treat behaviorally to support the sleep rhythm. Only a change in behavior and the root cause of why stress occurs can lead to long-term improvement. The use of herbal remedies for depressive moods or sleep disorders, supported by massages, can also be a very good first-choice remedy if the overstimulation is still in its early stages. Acupressure and acupuncture holistically support the recovery of the body and support without side effects. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, progressive muscle relaxation or autogenic training help to meet stimuli differently and minimize the overload.
Outlook and prognosis
A prospect for recovery is absolutely possible. When stimulus overload is diagnosed, depending on the stage of the condition, it can be helped in the short or long term and improvement can occur.The sooner the first signs are noticed by the patient, he goes to the doctor and starts the therapy, the sooner he will get well again. The positive side effect is to become more aware of one’s body and to be able to react early to the first symptoms of illness in the future. Self-esteem is thus given additional strength and power. After overcoming the disease, the personality changes positively. Without treatment, this can quickly lead to a dangerous downward spiral, at the end of which suicide may be the final solution. This is in no way a scare tactic, but simply an indication of what can happen if the body is exposed to a constant overload of stimuli for a long time without help. If the physical complaints triggered by immanent stimulus overload are so severe that they massively restrict the patient’s everyday life, hopelessness inevitably ensues. A hopelessness that, tormented by suicidal thoughts, can lead to suicide. (Note: If you have been thinking about committing suicide more often lately, or if you know someone you suspect of having suicidal thoughts, you should get help). During periods of hormonal upheaval, such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause, women tend to be more at risk than men. The central nervous system, which is the switching point for stimulus processing, is largely controlled by neurotransmitters and hormones. In the hormonal upheaval phases, in which women’s hormones are subject to many fluctuations, stimulus overload can therefore occur more quickly.
Prevention
Prevention of stimulus overload is certainly a difficult undertaking in our age, in which we are exposed to stimuli by the second. And yet, it is possible! It requires a high degree of self-reflection for the personal demands and for the individual body feeling. Only if I am consciously aware of the demands made on me in my professional and private environment can I act and change something. Only if I know my body well, can listen to myself and notice the first signs of stimulus overload, can I change something with the help of professionals. It is also possible to select the many stimuli with certain techniques so that not all stimuli arrive in the brain and have to be processed there. Because only the stimulus that arrives in the brain has to be processed. Cutting off or redirecting the stimulus on the way there is a helpful method.
Aftercare
Stimulus overload is rather an aspect related to other causative diseases, which can be of psychological or physical origin. It does not regularly represent an independent clinical picture and therefore cannot be treated alone in an aftercare program. The causal disease must therefore be the focus and treated in order to enable aftercare there. This is very individual and patient- as well as disease-related. In the case of a one-time overstimulation, this does not necessarily represent a clinical picture in itself or a symptom of another disease. Many people have such one-time experiences of sensory overload in their lives and do not require any special treatment or aftercare. Overall, then, it can be said that there is not, or need not be, any specific aftercare for sensory overload. However, it is necessary to check whether stimulus overload occurs again or more frequently and to consult a doctor accordingly. The first contact person for the patient in this case is the family doctor. However, it is advisable to get to the bottom of the cause – this may mean reducing the current lifestyle, which can sometimes be too fast-paced, to a minimal level of impressions. Taking long walks, primarily in nature, will help calm the senses and reduce the stress caused by sensory overload. Limiting social media and television can also help relieve the overstimulated senses and return to a sense of well-being. In general, a more cautious approach to the daily workload is recommended and, if necessary, to lower this to make the mind calmer.
Here’s what you can do yourself
A person still decides all by himself what he wants to think and what he perceives. Consequently, he can also consciously control what stimuli he allows. So to a certain extent, it is up to ourselves how many stimuli we allow.We can press the off switch in our head, just as we can press the off switch on the computer, television or telephone. This switches off an incredible number of stimuli. And everyone can decide for themselves when the flood of stimuli can begin again. Isolation is also a self-help method that can be used everywhere to escape stimuli. Simply leave the room, visit the quiet room for a moment or go out into nature. Actively getting out of a situation can also be achieved through certain techniques, such as eutonic relaxation, which teaches us to differentiate between internal (body) and external (environment) stimuli and to switch off the outside. A balance to the demands of the environment is still a good and already well-tried means. To find the balance through a hobby, which is consciously practiced at fixed times in everyday life, minimizes stimuli and thus also reduces flooding. All in all, it is a matter of consciously perceiving oneself. Because only those who can perceive themselves and are valuable enough can recognize the overstimulation and change it. The patient, on the other hand, cannot change the environment. However, he can actively change the way he deals with it and the incoming stimuli. Active responsibility for oneself and one’s body is the basis for all therapies in this world.
