Sensory Sensitivity Can Fuel Anxiety for Autistic People

Some time ago, I got an intresting question on Facebook: a reader wanted to know the difference between sensory sensitivity and anxiety. It’s a really good question, and I want to break it down. Let’s start with the basics: many autistic people experience sensory sensitivity, sometimes called sensory processing issues. This just means our senses are often much more intense. We experience things like sights, sounds, touch, smells, and tastes far more strongly than neurotypical people. While some autistic people have less sensitive senses, I want to focus this post on sensory oversensitivity and how it differs from – and connects to – anxiety.

Social Situations Can Be Tough

Here’s the thing: sensory sensitivity and anxiety are distinct, but sensory sensitivity can definitely lead to anxiety. Autistic people can experience anxiety for lots of reasons, and sensory issues are often one of them. Tony Attwood points out that autistic people can struggle to relax in certain environments because they’re always bracing for potentially overwhelming sensory input – a loud laugh, clapping, someone touching them – and that can be really unpleasant. For example, someone might develop a fear of dogs because the sudden sound of a bark is too much. So, anxiety in social situations can often stem directly from being overly sensitive to sensory input.

Numbing Doesn’t Help

I’ve developed a real fear of the dentist over the last few years. I tend to get tartar buildup and usually need to see the hygienist a couple of times a year. However, it’s been about a year and a half to two years since my last appointment, even though I really need to go. I’ve always found the tartar removal process physically and sensorially unpleasant, even with the numbing stuff they use. The hygienist thinks the anesthesia is enough, but I don’t! For years, I assumed everyone found it as uncomfortable as I do, but I’ve recently realized that’s not true.

The Anxiety Has Become Too Much

I’ve tried to push through the anxiety and get my teeth cleaned for years. The half-hour appointment is always almost unbearable – it takes a lot of energy to prepare for and recover from. But now it’s just too much. I can’t cope with the sensory discomfort of the tartar removal. The anxiety has become so overwhelming that I’m afraid to even book an appointment. There’s a limit to how much I can handle! The anxiety has built up over time, and the more I go, the worse it gets. Each appointment just reminds me how unpleasant it is.

I’m Skeptical About Therapy

I know there’s therapy for dental phobias, but I doubt it would help in my case, since the root of my anxiety is tactile oversensitivity. I honestly believe anyone would become anxious if constantly exposed to unpleasant sensory input, and eventually, it would take a toll on their mental health. The same is true with my fear of vomiting: the physical sensation is so unpleasant that it terrifies me. Each time I’ve been sick, the fear gets worse because it reminds me how awful it feels, purely from a sensory point of view. Feeling nauseous is bad enough, but vomiting is a thousand times worse!

The Principle Is the Same

This also applies to experiences like bullying: I’ve found the longer someone is bullied, the worse it gets, and they might eventually reach a breaking point. No one would suggest a bullied child should continue to be bullied to learn to cope and get rid of their anxiety – you need to address the underlying cause (the bullying)! While bullying isn’t the same as sensory sensitivity, having experienced both, I think the principle is the same: the root of the anxiety is an external factor causing discomfort – whether physical or emotional – and the anxiety is a natural response.

My Anxiety Is Justified

I think it’s really important to investigate why an autistic person is anxious before offering support. Is the anxiety based on irrational worry, or is it simply an inability to tolerate unpleasant sensory input? My anxiety about vomiting and certain medical exams is entirely based on sensory sensitivity, and in my case, it’s completely justified: I’m older now and I know what sensory inputs I can’t tolerate. It’s about self-awareness and understanding my body, not having unfounded fears!

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Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if life feels hopeless! Here’s a list of helplines and phone support services in the US you can contact if you need assistance. For people outside the US this page lists helplines for people in need of immediate mental help support during a mental health crisis.