Sensory Overload and Starbucks!

Yesterday, I spoke at a hospital about my Idaho Aphasia, Apraxia and Dysarthria weekly support group.

The audience for my presentation were other stroke survivors who do not have the conditions referenced in the title.

The stroke coordinator at the local hospital asked me to speak mainly to talk about the Facebook page I developed several years ago.

I post at least three times a week using current articles and YouTube videos about these conditions.

I used my Idaho Aphasia Facebook page as a basis for my presentation. One stroke survivor asked about Aphasia which does not happen to many stroke survivors.

Rather than doing a clinical diagnosis I showed a YouTube video about Aphasia. Showing a video about Aphasia is the whole purpose for my aphasia Facebook page.

I have posted hundreds of articles and videos through the years. Recently, a man from Pakistan who follows my Facebook page asked for help. I’m seeking answers for him given the conditions in his country.

I also showed a video about emotional flooding which is common for stroke survivors. I mentioned that my Facebook page is not just for Aphasia survivors. Rather, I post articles and videos to help all brain injury survivors.

I showed a video about the concept of emotional flooding and the survivors were shocked when they realized that they have the same issues.

So what is emotional flooding?

Here’s a great description:

Following a significant brain injury some people find that exposure to normal, everyday levels of particular stimuli (e.g. bright lights, loud noises or touch), is now uncomfortable, overwhelming and/or distressing. This problem may be referred to as ‘hypersensitivity’, ‘over stimulation’ or ‘sensory overload’. This may lead to fear, anxiety and avoidance of particular stimuli (e.g. keeping curtains drawn to avoid light) and environments (e.g. avoiding noisy situations such as supermarkets).

I had a very graphic example this morning. I went to Starbucks for a business meeting. It was a very complex subject. Two people use the PowerPoint to convey the topic. It is a very important and fascinating concept. The whole presentation including questions and answers took about an hour and a half.

Starbucks is not a great venue when you have a brain injury. While trying to concentrate on the presentation, I became distracted because of the sensory overload. Loud noises, the barista banging coffee grounds, customers ordering, a couple of children laughing loudly, the glare from the front door, etc.

I kept focused yet I got incredibly distracted knowing that a headache was forthcoming.

It was a very successful meeting yet I could not wait to leave. I got into my car and sat silently for five minutes just to regroup my brain capacity.

I drove home carefully yet quickly. I got home and sat in a dark room for about half an hour. And honestly I had to take a massive pain killer.

I do understand the triggers for my sensory overloads. Often because of business needs, I just deal with it. Normally a 90 minute conversation at Starbucks is fine. However, today is Friday and I have had many meetings this week. As a result, a normal 90 minute conversation on a beautiful Friday morning simply blew my mind.

Blowing my mind it’s kind of funny because 20% of my brain is dead tissue.

I cannot wait to sleep tonight. Unfortunately, my wife wants to go to Costco. Talk about sensory overload!

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