How sensory sensitivity is actually related to PAIN

Did you know that in autistic and SPD brains, normal sensory inputs are often re-routed toward the area of the brain that processes pain?
Let's get into it...
First, let's talk about what it looks like.
Basically, our brains take in sensory information, and we freak out. This usually comes in the form of an internal meltdown but is also often external.
There's a term for this. It's called Tactile Defensiveness. The research focused on the tactile sensory input... so, touch. Hence the term TACTILE Defensiveness.
Now, most of the information I'm about to share came from a journal article in the Journal of Neurology & Neurosurgery. I'll link to the article in the comments section below.
But before I dive in, for those who don't know me...
Hi there, I'm Nicole Filippone, autistic advocate, and author. Welcome to my channel. In my videos, I talk all about autism and related conditions. But more than just focusing on spreading awareness, I try really hard to tie my content to practical strategies and solutions.
So, I really hope you find my content practical in how you can apply what I talk about here in your daily life.
And if this ISN'T your first time on my channel, thank you for being here. I really appreciate you sharing this space with me. :)
So... Tactile Defensiveness. There's a whole lot to talk about with this, so stick with me as I break it all down.
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Tactile Defensiveness refers to extreme negative physical and emotional responses to tactile inputs that most people DON'T find painful.
So, this could look like a person with these sensitivities pulling back when someone tries to touch or hug them...
Extreme distress when trying on new clothes
An aversion to tooth brushing, hair washing, or brushing...
Wearing long sleeves and pants to avoid things touching the skin
And what I find really interesting about Tactile Defensiveness is that these extreme reactions happen when the input is soft/gentle. Not when it's extreme.
So, it could also look like someone cringing when they are touched or kissed gently or when something ever so slightly rubs up against them.
But it gets even more interesting. Because research shows, as I mentioned, that these reactions are tied to the sensory inputs being rerouted to the area of the brain that processes pain.
So, let's talk about this for a minute. According to research, what's actually happening is that people with Tactile Defensiveness have abnormal patterns of white matter growth in their brains. It's this white matter that reroutes the sensory inputs to the sensory cortex area that processes pain.
And put another way, this is the brain's attempt at protecting the body from what it considers to be dangerous. It does it for survival. And it is also 100% not within the control of the person experiencing it. And no amount of logic will change the response. It's automatic.
So, what can you do if you are the person experiencing this? Give yourself a whole bunch of grace. It's not your fault, and it is OK that you have these needs. Express them. Advocate for yourself. Half the battle is the people around you simply knowing this about you.
And if you're not the person experiencing it but have a loved one who does? Don't take it personally if they don't want to be touched a certain way. Also, see if your loved one is willing to experience physical touch that comes with deep pressure rather than soft touch. This could mean tighter hugs or firmly holding their hand rather than rubbing their arm. But only if they are comfortable with this. No two sensory people are exactly alike. And, though this works for me, I can't promise it will work for your loved one.
Ok, so that's it for this video. I hope you found it helpful... and if you did, give it a like and comment below. Let me know what you think about all of this. And if you want to see more videos like it, subscribe to the channel... and make sure you click the notification bell, so you're notified when I post my next one.
Thanks for watching, and see you next time!
Bye!
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[@thesincitymama]

From 2001-2008 I was bedridden in horrible constant agony like my skin was on fire. Couldn’t speak more than a few words at a time, unable to feed myself, hold a cup, sit in a wheelchair, use a bedpan… visiting nurses kept me alive. Doctors didn’t know what was wrong but they diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and myofacial pain disorder. Eventually, a chiropractor put me on massive doses of vitamins and amino acids and that somehow helped! So after years of physical therapy, I left the United States for a university study-abroad and then I never went back to live in America again. So this video is VERY ME! Nobody has ever provided a better hypothesis for why that happened to me. Medical doctors were really surprised that I got better and they still don’t know why.

[@MorteDallAlto]

I don't know if I'm autistic (yet), but this video explained so much about things I live and experience all day every day but have never been able to articulate. Thank you so much!

[@sensorystoriesbynicole]

I'm so glad, and you are quite welcome 😊

[@Amy_Yuki_Vickers]

Hi Nicole, I enjoyed your video, and I'm looking forward to seeing more. I was wondering if there's any research on other sensory inputs being rerouted to the areas that process pain, such as sound, light, etc.

[@sensorystoriesbynicole]

Hi Amy... I haven't found any (or I definitely would have included it!) My personal take is that it is extremely likely that this applies to the other senses. For whatever that's worth 😊

[@Amy_Yuki_Vickers]

@@sensorystoriesbynicole Thanks, I think so, too.

[@sensorystoriesbynicole]

Here's the link to my resource 🙂 juniperpublishers.com/oajnn/pdf/OAJNN.MS.ID.555573.pdf