Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating World

With empathy, compassion, and practical tools, a developmental psychologist and sufferer of Sensory Defensive Disorder (SD) sheds light on a little known but common affliction in which sufferers react to harmless stimuli as irritating, distracting, or dangerous We all know what it feels like to be irritated by loud music, accosted by lights that are too bright, or overwhelmed by a world that moves too quickly. But millions of people suffer from Sensory Defensive Disorder (SD), a common affliction in which people react to harmless stimuli not just as a distracting hindrance, but a potentially dangerous threat. Sharon Heller, Ph.D. is not only a trained psychologist, she is sensory defensive herself. Bringing both personal and professional perspectives, Dr. Heller is the ideal person to tell the world about this problem that will only increase as technology and processed environments take over our lives. In addition to heightening public awareness of this prevalent issue, Dr. Heller provides tools and therapies for alleviating and, in some cases, even eliminating defensiveness altogether. Until now, the treatment for sensory defensiveness has been successfully implemented in Learning Disabled children in whom defensiveness tends to be extreme. However, the disorder has generally been unidentified in adults who think they are either overstimulated, stressed, weird, or crazy. These sensory defensive sufferers live out their lives stressed and unhappy, never knowing why or what they can do about it. Now, with Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight, they have a compassionate spokesperson and a solution–oriented book of advice. Product DetailsISBN-13: 9780060932923 Media Type: Paperback Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication Date: 12-02-2003 Pages: 400 Product Dimensions: 5.31(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.90(d)About the Author Sharon Heller, Ph.D., is the author of The Vital Touch and teaches courses in psychology. She received her master's degree from the University of Chicago and her doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago. She lives in South Florida.Read an Excerpt Read an Excerpt Chapter One Senses on the Defense I do not much like being touched and I have always to make a slight effort not to draw away when someone links his arms in mine.-- Somerset Maugham, English novelist<Table of Contents Table of Contents Foreword xvii Introduction: Too Sensitive for Your Own Good 1 Part 1 Living Outside the Comfort Zone Chapter 1 Senses on the Defense 23 Chapter 2 Sensory Processing: The Touchy Nervous System 39 Chapter 3 Levels of Defensiveness: From Mild to Maddening 73 Part 2 Secondary Effects: From Dis-Ease to Disease Chapter 4 Weaving a Web of Fear: Sensory Defensiveness Across the Lifespan 93 Chapter 5 From Anxiety to Addictions 119 Chapter 6 The Body Erupts: The Psychosomatic Side of Sensory Defensiveness 145 Part 3 Your Sensory Diet Chapter 7 Getting Started 157 Chapter 8 Priming the Pump 169 Chapter 9 Sound Health 193 Chapter 10 Seeing the Whole Picture 207 Chapter 11 Air Control 223 Chapter 12 A Harmonious Space 235 Part 4 Removing Treatment Obstacles Chapter 13 Food for Your Nervous System 249 Chapter 14 Breathing Lessons 265 Chapter 15 Posturing for Inner Peace 281 Chapter 16 Mind/Body--Only Connect! 299 Appendix A Sensory Defensiveness Survival Kit 309 Appendix B Defensive Reactions to Sensation 313 Notes 319 Glossary 337 Resource Guide 343 Index 361 Show More