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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on April 15, 2011, at 8:41:52
I was just curious whether anyone here has experienced a sensitivity to noise in accompaniment with their dx.?
I've always had a love-hate relationship with my aural environment. In college, I found walls-of-sound (e.g. a busy cafe) useful for taming my fickle attention span, but conversely more isolated intrusions (e.g. someone talking in the library) would always hijack my focus.
Home was always noisy - I have three younger brothers - and I used to narcotically blast ambient music in my room to shield myself from my surroundings.
Unfortunately, it seems like my sensitivity has grown worse since we relocated to a town-house with poor insulation where every sneeze filters through the floorboards. Prior to that - for the past year - we'd been living in a far more spacious rental. As my condition's 'deteriorated', I've noticed that the sensitivity is no longer restricted to instances when I'm trying to concentrate - lately, any excessive stimulation (TV, people yelling excitedly, etc.) will set my nervous system alight. As loathsome as this is to admit, I had to pin my 10-year old brother against the wall last night because I thought I was going to explode due to his incessant yelling. Every time our dog barks, I want to scream. I pretty much hide out in my room, hyper-vigilant and on the verge of tears.
I mentioned the issue to my psychiatrist today. He questioned me about my historical relationship w/ noise, but never really commented otherwise. I suppose the problem is that sensory issues go hand-in-hand with ADHD, but it's never been this bad before. I keep wanting to know if this is some variation mania or not - just for the sake of closure - but I have a habit of being too controlling and am trying to let go because I'm finally appreciating how hard it is to disentangle various symptoms. I'm filled with this enveloping hatred towards my family and my life situation, and again, it's hard to know whether my mood is fueling my sensitivity or visa versa.
Anyway, what further complicates things is that, due to OCD, I'm beginning to completely avoid noise wherever possible, which is only making the issue worse. My therapist has suggested that I try and expose myself to it and avoid becoming dependent on earplugs/music, but I'm having trouble deciphering what 'normal' behavior would be in this scenario, because it feels like there's a strong biochemical component to my sensitivity - I simply have no control over how I react, which is with intense, crushing frustration followed by helplessness. Has anyone here found desensitization actually helped the issue?
My psychiatrist was torn between prescribing Nardil, give how much better my parents said I seemed on it, and trying something more selective for the OCD. In the end, we decided on Zoloft. I'm scared, however, given it's reputation for triggering dysphoric mania. What are the warning signs I should be looking out for? More rage/irritability/sensitivity to stimuli? Is there a chance it might help these issues?
Posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 11:13:42
In reply to noise intolerance... and update, posted by g_g_g_unit on April 15, 2011, at 8:41:52
I live in a big city and nois eis a problem. I am also looking for a pair of inner ear phones and sometimes use ear plugs to sleep whe people are noisy.
Have you tried magnesium? I remember reading it helps with noise tolerance.
I don´t have a better ref at hand now:
http://www.ctds.info/noise.html
Posted by B2chica on April 15, 2011, at 12:28:45
In reply to noise intolerance... and update, posted by g_g_g_unit on April 15, 2011, at 8:41:52
i would be somewhat cautious of zoloft and celexa.
in my experience (and i have a LOT of experience with anything auditory)
what has helped me in the past is when things are tough for me either too much A stim or not enough i keep only ONE earbud in my ear (always my left not really sure why) with low level music. sometimes i need alternative, ambient, dubstep, electronic, even pop depending on what i need.
what has also helped me in the past is keeping a little bit of cotton in my ears. it doesnt really Stop sound but its like having a HP filter in my ears and really seems to help me.
The only drug that has helped me the best with this is zyprexa. but not saying you need an AP especially if nardil works for you. cuz i usually have other things going on as well.HTH
best wishes
b2c.
Posted by Bob12 on April 15, 2011, at 15:11:38
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 11:13:42
I have a bottle of a magnesium supplement, which I have had for several weeks, but have been scared to try. I also suffer from noise sensitivity and tinnitus.
Do you think I should try taking the magnesium? Are there any side effects?thanks
Bob12> I live in a big city and nois eis a problem. I am also looking for a pair of inner ear phones and sometimes use ear plugs to sleep whe people are noisy.
>
> Have you tried magnesium? I remember reading it helps with noise tolerance.
>
> I don´t have a better ref at hand now:
> http://www.ctds.info/noise.html
>
Posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 15:24:31
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by Bob12 on April 15, 2011, at 15:11:38
Side effects from magnesium? No. It can be a bit laxative if you take too much and depending on the salt (citrate, chloride, etc).
> I have a bottle of a magnesium supplement, which I have had for several weeks, but have been scared to try. I also suffer from noise sensitivity and tinnitus.
> Do you think I should try taking the magnesium? Are there any side effects?
>
> thanks
> Bob12
>
> > I live in a big city and nois eis a problem. I am also looking for a pair of inner ear phones and sometimes use ear plugs to sleep whe people are noisy.
> >
> > Have you tried magnesium? I remember reading it helps with noise tolerance.
> >
> > I don´t have a better ref at hand now:
> > http://www.ctds.info/noise.html
> >
>
>
Posted by Bob12 on April 15, 2011, at 15:27:57
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update » Bob12, posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 15:24:31
I have Magnesium citrate 200 mg softgels. I will try taking one pill, but I am concerned I will get loose stools.
Do you think I will have a problem with just one 200 mg capsule?thanks
Bob12> Side effects from magnesium? No. It can be a bit laxative if you take too much and depending on the salt (citrate, chloride, etc).
>
> > I have a bottle of a magnesium supplement, which I have had for several weeks, but have been scared to try. I also suffer from noise sensitivity and tinnitus.
> > Do you think I should try taking the magnesium? Are there any side effects?
> >
> > thanks
> > Bob12
> >
> > > I live in a big city and nois eis a problem. I am also looking for a pair of inner ear phones and sometimes use ear plugs to sleep whe people are noisy.
> > >
> > > Have you tried magnesium? I remember reading it helps with noise tolerance.
> > >
> > > I don´t have a better ref at hand now:
> > > http://www.ctds.info/noise.html
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 15:41:59
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by Bob12 on April 15, 2011, at 15:27:57
No. At least not for me. Just try it and stop at the dose it is good for you. Anyway, loose stools are not a problem.
> I have Magnesium citrate 200 mg softgels. I will try taking one pill, but I am concerned I will get loose stools.
> Do you think I will have a problem with just one 200 mg capsule?
>
> thanks
> Bob12
Posted by Bob12 on April 15, 2011, at 15:45:11
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update » Bob12, posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 15:41:59
I will try 1 capsule of 200 mg. Should I take it at dinner or before bed?
thanks
Bob12> No. At least not for me. Just try it and stop at the dose it is good for you. Anyway, loose stools are not a problem.
>
> > I have Magnesium citrate 200 mg softgels. I will try taking one pill, but I am concerned I will get loose stools.
> > Do you think I will have a problem with just one 200 mg capsule?
> >
> > thanks
> > Bob12
>
Posted by Franz on April 15, 2011, at 15:56:54
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by Bob12 on April 15, 2011, at 15:45:11
I don´t think it makes any difference.
If you are so susceptible to citrate buy another salt, is it not expensive.
> I will try 1 capsule of 200 mg. Should I take it at dinner or before bed?
>
> thanks
> Bob12
Posted by floatingbridge on April 15, 2011, at 18:09:40
In reply to noise intolerance... and update, posted by g_g_g_unit on April 15, 2011, at 8:41:52
ggg,
I don't know what to say in what order. I think noise sensitivity can be part of one's hard wire. (How hard the wiring is is currently debated.) It can be exacerbated by medicines, stress, so one's tolerance can vary.
My kid has a low sound threshold. I've seen it plain as day. A good friend (and a super brain) has noise sensitivities. She has dx'd and treated herself with her own homemade noise reduction kit. In her research, she found that for some, there is evidence that noise sensitivity is intermittent. (She also has ocd 'tendencies'.)
However, your pdoc is also working with a dx of ocd, and doesn't want to introduce a new set of props to obsess over. I can understand this, and that your situation is complex.
I will comment upon my friend who feels a little better accepting her dx (noise sensitivity nos) and feels a bit of empowerment (and therefore less anxiety) about sound by having some
means of control.There is a lot if clutter in the aural landscape. Sound can also be percieved as invasive; one can close one's eyes or walk away from touch, but sound is more difficult to block and evade.
A good neuro psychologist might be helpful to consult. Have you gone that route?
Have you googled sensory integration? I'm not saying that's it--it's just a portal to some interesting reading imo.
fb
Posted by linkadge on April 16, 2011, at 18:36:26
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by floatingbridge on April 15, 2011, at 18:09:40
Yeah, I can be very sensitive to light and sound. I find the following are helpful for that:
Green tea,
Omega-3
Melatonin,
Magnesium
Choline
Posted by Phillipa on April 16, 2011, at 21:23:32
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by linkadge on April 16, 2011, at 18:36:26
I try and just block it out and ignore it. Phillipa
Posted by g_g_g_unit on April 18, 2011, at 3:55:16
In reply to Re: noise intolerance... and update, posted by linkadge on April 16, 2011, at 18:36:26
> Yeah, I can be very sensitive to light and sound. I find the following are helpful for that:
>
> Green tea,
> Omega-3
> Melatonin,
> Magnesium
> CholineThanks for the suggestions. Omega-3 and Green Tea don't seem to do my anxiety any favors, but I'll give Magnesium a shot. I think Choline is contraindicated in OCD.
It's not just noise, unfortunately; I find that being around any emotional conflict - people yelling, whining, stressing out - seems to likewise set me off. It's like my body is this unnaturally sensitive conductor for all the chaos that's encircling me. I wish I had some way of controlling it.
The problem is that I'm starting to engage in avoidance as a way to cope. I know I should be exposing myself to noise/conflict, but I worry about how efficacious that'll be - there seems to be some evidence that it works for autistic kids, but the problem also seems to be mood-congruent in my case. I've read about bipolar patients complaining that noise becomes amplified during (hypo)mania and have likewise noticed that when I'm feeling irritated/overstimulated, noise will quickly provoke rage in me.
This is the end of the thread.
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