overstimulation (response posted to Social List)

[Guest guest]

As per today I am on around 7.5mg of Effexor (starting dose was 150mg, over two

years ago). I have read files about the over-stimulation issues and this is what

i would like to talk about today. But first a little background, as I think this

aspect is rather complex.

As per my life history I have always been oversensitive, it related to early

trauma (with which I still deal successfully in my therapy). When I was 14 I

started drinking, and I see now that it was a start for damping my feelings,

when I was 23 I was put on antipsychotics, then antidepressants, benzos, etc.

It is a very first time when I kept to the protocol of decreasing meds and I

have been doing fine. As I mentioned I have also been i therapy, and recently

added bio-dynamic massage to it (it is a form of massage that builds accordingly

to my pace). My skin is so sensitive that the person who does the massage can do

only very little. The massage was suggested to me by Migraine doctor, as

relieving the tension around shoulders, but I can hardly allow myself to be

touched...Again, there is another story in it, the abuse...So things are rather

complex...

Recently, I have been going through a long-term stressful situation related to

being bullied by my line manager. I will be changing my job soon, but only since

yesterday I know that everything has been sorted.

Additionally I am going through the pre-menopausal stage and typical hormonal

imbalance (I guess I have too much estrogen in my body; I have been checking

daily temperature chart, and also writing down other symptoms in order to feel

more in control).

Back to the over-stimulation. Recently, I have noticed as if my hearing has

increased and I hear things louder, and I respond to the noises I dd not really

hear, or they did not bother me so much. As for example, I live in the block of

flats and I may hear people talking when I have my window opened. It may get me

even to feeling bit hyper-vigilant and anxious.

I am just a bit worried that I will stay like this- " jumping with anxiety " to

sounds I did not respond in the past.

There are things I avoid doing, like going to the busy streets, sometimes I may

go to the IMAX with my niece (she loves it!), but I get so overstimulated...

I guess, there is no solution for this. I just wonder if this decreases with

time. My flat was a type of " hiding place " for me, until I have started

responding to noises that did not bother me before. It has started recently,

when I was on the verge of breaking down due to the ongoing stress. So maybe, I

just need to be more patient again, and allow myself to heal and get more

settled. As I am 50 years old (I feel so old in times!) it may take longer for

my nervous system to get balanced.

How other people deal with over-stimulation? I think sometimes that I should

stop working and live somewhere far away from daily noises (like in the village,

or on a boat)...But I need money to live elsewhere...

I would be grateful for any thoughts/similar stories.

Ikam