We live in a society today that has mass amounts of stimulation for adults and teens. Data phones connected to the information super highway, texting, and chats that are in most of our teens’ hands every day.  They find random “news” and points of interest, respond to posts, and messaging. Then, there’s tons of videos, non-stop video games, TV, movies, music, and the list goes on. Buy this, buy that, be cool with these clothes, this toy, that gadget, and anything else advertisers throw at them. With all these messages, what is emphasized in the actual content? What values, principles, attitudes, and behaviors are being imposed? What influence do they have on your teen?

Anything and everything you want to know, may want to know, and didn’t know are online. All these things are trying to grab you and your teen’s attention. However, how does this stimulation impact our relationships with others, our mental health, and especially our teen’s overall well-being? Let’s take a look at overstimulation in comparison to being overwhelmed. Then, let’s examine causes, symptoms, impact and managing of the stimulation.

The difference between being overstimulated and overwhelmed

Overwhelmed is when our responsibilities, decisions, life demands, as well as other people or situations impose themselves onto us. This causes for many people a high level of stress and tension. Sometimes one may feel forced or pressured into how to feel, think or act in a certain way. This then puts a lot of strain on the emotions adding to heightened anxiety.

However, being overstimulated is a state of mind and emotion when we voluntarily impose stimulus into our senses. For example, this may be due to a need or want to be in a particular place (job, shopping mall) or by entertainment (movie, video game). Enough of stimulation may cause sensory overload. Our senses are sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. So, when we overload our senses, this may result in heightened anxiety and stress felt in the body. Further, if one gets easily distracted it may be that they are attempting to handle “everything” all at once.

Another way to view overstimulation is the need to be constantly busy. Further, it may be that one doesn’t want to be bored.  At an extreme level, it may be addictive to the point of seeking euphoria of the senses.

For the sake of this blog post, it is not referencing to certain physical or mental disorders such as ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorders, Autism (and other Autism Spectrum Disorders), PTSD, or other such disorders. Each of these has other specifics that need more special attention. Rather, the focus here is to draw attention to overstimulation brought on by a mass amount of technology. Huge amounts of information that pours into our teens’ lives overloads them to the point of mental and emotional distress.

Causes

There are many causes that broach above the surface. They seem to be “harmless” fun or “no big deal” in your teen’s life. However, over the ongoing passing of time, these moments grow and grow to more and more time with being stimulated. Here are a few causes.

  • The pressing of continuous action, drama, laughter, horror, moodiness in characters, shifts in feelings, from happy, sad, angry, vengeful, disgust, converge together.
  • Flickers of light, quick scene shifts, changes in sounds (in the background music, conversations, screams, whispers, etc.) add to overstimulation.
  • Use of drugs or substances such as caffeine or other stimulants, or alcohol can alter the stimulation
  • Stressful environments that lead to escapism or distraction from the environment and those in it
  • Lifestyle factors at home, school or after school activities where multi-tasking is emphasized
  • Childhood trauma or abuse which may affect one’s ability to process stimulation well

Multiple shifts in constant stimulus activities may alter our teen’s typical day to day functioning. However, we do have “normal” situations that do occur in our world. For example, classroom and school interactions, honking horns, crowded shopping centers, sporting events, and heavy traffic may cause overstimulation. For the most part, these can be managed by most teens.

Symptoms

Here’s a list of symptoms that are physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral in nature. They act as the body’s response and alert system for us to take notice. These may include:

  • Poor or disrupted sleep, nightmares or bad dreams
  • Changes in appetite or food selection
  • Physical and mental fatigue, low energy
  • Headaches, nausea, dizziness, increased heartrate
  • Poor concentration, confusion, slowed memory recall
  • Disrupted thought processing, difficulty making decisions
  • Impatience, frustration when things don’t work right away
  • Irritability, high sensitive reactions, fears, over excitement
  • Indifference, loss of hope, apathy, lack of commitment, low motivation
  • Loss of creativity

Impact

Stimulation overload typically comes with certain negative “side effects” that will also be indicators of a need for change. We generally observe this in your teen’s behavior. These may include the following:

  • Distorted decision making
  • Lack of or conflictual relationships
  • Isolation from others
  • Displaced from reality of one’s own life
  • Poor execution of responsibilities in school, home or work
  • Lack of planning ahead for the future
  • Dreams diminish or become overly grandiose
  • Touchy or hypersensitive senses (usually sight, hearing, touch)

Managing Simulation

To help manage overstimulation is to take control of the choices you make. Finding purpose in everyday life. Take charge of your own life by being responsible for your own thoughts, feelings, actions, and attitude. Stimulation in our lives is quite normal. We need stimulation to confirm we are functioning. Our senses are here for our use and survival.

There are various techniques to help reduce or manage overstimulation in your teen.

  • Change in daily routines that are predictable, use little amounts of time with electronic devices. Set a time of day or timer to manage use.
  • Start a hobby that uses your hands (build a model, use construction toys like Legos or K’Nex; art, baking, writing poetry, learning a trade such as auto mechanics, or build a computer)
  • Take breaks away from electronic devices (go for a walk with your phone “off” in your pocket or leave at home)
  • Limit screen time by replacing it with other non-screen activities (see hobbies)
  • Use of calming music 2-3 hours before bedtime
  • Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night
  • Eat healthy foods
  • Pursue counseling help

Seeking counseling help

There are times when your teen exhibits the symptoms of overstimulation but may not realize the harm it is causing him/her. Seeking stimulation in excess may be signs of deeper mental and emotional distress.  We are here to help walk through these issues in a safe, confidential, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment.

For more information on counseling for teens, click here.

Contact us today at 520-292-9750 or email at jo**@pa************.com