Glossary: Sensory Overload

Sensory Overload

In everyday terms:

Sensory overload is when the world feels like too much—too loud, too bright, too fast, too everything. It’s like being stuck in a crowded, noisy room where every little sound, light, or texture competes for your attention, making it impossible to think or function. Even everyday environments can become overwhelming, leaving you feeling drained, anxious, or in need of an escape.

Clinically speaking:

Sensory overload occurs when the brain receives more sensory input than it can effectively process, leading to feelings of overwhelm, distress, and difficulty functioning. It is commonly experienced by individuals with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder (SPD), and anxiety disorders. Sensory overload can be triggered by stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, or crowded environments, often resulting in withdrawal, irritability, or shutdowns.

How Sensory Overload Affects Personal Finance

Financial management often involves environments and activities that can be overwhelming for individuals who experience sensory overload. From shopping in noisy stores to managing financial paperwork, sensory challenges can impact financial decision-making and create additional stress.

Overwhelming Shopping Environments

Sensory overload can make physical shopping experiences challenging, with bright lights, crowded aisles, and loud background noise contributing to feelings of overwhelm. This can lead to impulsive buying decisions in an attempt to leave the environment quickly or avoidance of necessary shopping trips altogether.

Avoidance of Financial Tasks

Sorting through bills, paperwork, or budgeting apps can be visually and mentally overwhelming. The cognitive load required to process financial information, especially if it involves cluttered layouts or complex data, can trigger avoidance behaviors, leading to missed payments or disorganized finances.

Impulsive Spending as a Coping Mechanism

To cope with the discomfort of sensory overload, individuals may engage in emotional or impulsive spending, seeking comfort items or experiences that provide a sense of relief. This can include spending on sensory-friendly products or indulging in self-soothing purchases that may not align with financial goals.

Difficulty Managing Financial Conversations

Discussing finances with others—whether at the bank, with a financial advisor, or even with a partner—can be overwhelming if the environment is filled with distractions or too much information is presented at once. Processing verbal and written information simultaneously in high-stimulation environments can lead to misunderstandings and increased stress.

Strategies for Managing Financial Overload

To navigate financial tasks without triggering sensory overload, individuals may benefit from creating structured routines, using calming environments, and breaking down financial tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Sensory-friendly financial tools, such as apps with clean interfaces and quiet, distraction-free spaces for handling money matters, can help reduce overwhelm.

Sensory overload can create unique challenges in financial management, but with the right tools and strategies, individuals can create a more sensory-friendly approach to their finances. Understanding personal triggers and structuring financial tasks around comfort and control can lead to better financial outcomes and reduced stress.