The Quest for Input: Exploring Sensory Seeking & Hypo-Sensitivity (B2)

Welcome! You've arrived here because you might feel like you often need more sensory input from the world around you to feel "right," "awake," or regulated. Perhaps you actively seek out intense sensations, or maybe you find that you're generally less responsive (hypo-sensitive) to everyday sensory information than others seem to be. These experiences are often linked.

Imagine your brain's "volume dial" for incoming sensory information from the external world is turned down too low (hypo-sensitivity). To compensate, or simply because your nervous system is wired that way, you might actively seek out stronger, more frequent, or more varied sensory experiences to get the input your brain needs to feel alert, organized, and engaged.

Path Markers (What Can Sensory Seeking & Hypo-Sensitivity to External Senses Look Like?):

Sensory Seeking Behaviors:
- Movement (Vestibular & Proprioceptive): Constantly fidgeting, rocking, spinning, pacing, jumping, or enjoying fast/intense movement.
- Touch (Tactile & Proprioceptive): Craving deep pressure (tight hugs, weighted blankets), touching everything, enjoying strong tactile sensations.
- Oral (Tactile, Gustatory, Proprioceptive): Chewing on non-food items, preferring crunchy or intensely flavored foods, overstuffing mouth.
- Visual: Enjoying bright lights, vibrant colors, fast-moving visuals, or complex patterns.
- Auditory: Liking loud music or noisy environments, making vocal sounds or noises.
- Olfactory/Gustatory: Seeking out strong smells or tastes.
Hypo-Sensitivity (Under-Responsiveness to External Senses):
- High Pain Threshold (Tactile): Seeming less reactive to pain or injury than expected.
- Unaware of Messiness (Tactile/Visual): Not noticing if face or hands are dirty, or if clothes are disheveled.
- Appearing Oblivious to Surroundings (Multiple Senses): May not register certain sounds, sights, or smells that others find obvious.
- Clumsiness or Poor Body Awareness (Proprioceptive): Bumping into things, difficulty judging force.
- Needing Stronger Input to Register (Multiple Senses): Requiring more intense flavors to taste food, louder sounds to hear, or brighter lights to see well.
Restlessness & High Energy Levels: Often described as "always on the go."
Risk-Taking Behaviors (Sometimes): Seeking thrills or intense experiences that provide a strong sensory rush.

Echoes from the Trail (Lived Experiences):

"I can't sit still. I'm always tapping my feet, fidgeting with something, or needing to get up and move."
"I love spicy food, loud concerts, and fast rides – the more intense, the better!"
"I chew on my pen caps constantly. It just helps me focus."
"My kid crashes into the sofa on purpose and loves to be squished under pillows. It seems to calm them down."
"I often don't realize I've hurt myself until I see blood or someone points it out."
"People tell me I talk too loudly, but I don't always realize it."

Reflection Point:

Consider your own experiences:

Do you find yourself actively seeking out intense sensory experiences from the world around you? In which senses?
Do you often feel underwhelmed by "normal" levels of sensory input?
Have others described you as having a high pain threshold, being clumsy, or "always on the move"?
What kinds of sensations or activities help you feel most alert, calm, or focused?

Understanding Your Sensory Needs:

Sensory seeking and hypo-sensitivity are not about being "naughty," "hyperactive" in a negative sense, or "insensitive." They often represent a genuine neurological need for a certain level or type of sensory input to help the brain feel regulated, organized, and attentive. Meeting these needs appropriately can be very beneficial.