WOW - I am NOT the only one on this planet to have this dis-order!!!

[Guest guest]

I can't even begin to explain how wonderful it feels to have found

this group and to actually have a name for my " problem " . But, then

again, for all of you here I am quite sure that I do not have to

explain. I am a 39 year old female who has suffered with SSSD for

34 years. I have been to numerous therapists, psychiatrists and

NONE of them know what to do with me, except to sit and stare at me

like I am an alien. I have tried everything imaginable (drugs,

herbs, homeopathic, flower essences, yoga, meditation) but nothing

has worked. I would literally do almost anything to be rid of

SSSD. In addition to having SSSD, I am a HSP (Highly Sensitive

Individual) and Empathic (I pick up on others moods/energies). I

would imagine that most people with SSSD are Highly Sensitive

Beings. Being an HSP and Empathic and having SSSD, I find that I am

so utterly exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of many days, it is

very difficult to lead a " normal " life. I am wondering how many

people out there feel the same?

SSSD is usually trigerred for me by people who are closest to me and

who I love the most, which frustrates me to no end. I do get very

agitated by anyone swinging their legs, tapping or smacking/chewing

gum though. My mother is wonderful and really tried to understand,

but I know that it really hurts her. She clears her throat ALL the

time and it puts me through the roof. My ex-husband just used to

think that I was " crazy " which, I have to say, I often feel that way

myself. Luckily, I am not too bothered by any of my close friends,

except for one of my best friends, who I love dearly, who also

happens to work with me (right next to me in fact). She sniffs a

LOT and loudly (to me anyway) stamps invoices, both of which really

put me through the roof. I love her dearly and am afraid to say

anything to her, especially since I have already sheepishly had to

ask her to stop wearing perfume as I am very sensitive to chemicals

(does anyone else have that problem)?

Anyway, enough about me, I am sure a version of my story has been

posted here 1,000 times. Can anyone suggest ANYTHING that really

helps? I am so desperate to not have to suffer with this day in and

day out! I would love to be able to live without SSSD. It would

make my life and my relationships so much easier.

Desperately Seeking Help! Thank you in advance for any replies!

[Guest guest]

Hey Jenifer! Welcome to our humble home Like you, I was relieved

to know that I wasn't the only one with this problem because I really

thought I was going crazy. I am 35 and have had 4S since age 12. I

was interested in you comments about how you are very sensitive and

empathetic because I am the same way. I do believe people with 4S

are naturally very sensitive people. We seem to care more about

others feelings than our own, and will just be " polite " while

suffering in anguish. You commented on how you are sensitive to

chemicals... I am too. I have a very strong sense of smell as well

as strong hearing so I must avoid anything like perfume, air

fresheners, candles etc... I also get affected by car exhaust and

pollution in general. It triggers a type of asthma my doctor

calls 'environmental asthma'. As far as things that have helped me,

I usually have music on constantly, or some sort of background

noise. I avoid silence as much as possible and ear plugs as well

because I find that when it's silent, my ears search even more for

sound and it's usually something I don't like. I sleep with a fan

and a CD of crickets (which I love) at night to mask any sounds I

don't want to hear. I am taking a anti-anxiety medication for the

anxiety this all causes me, but it doesn't solve the initial problem

of the rage I feel upon hearing " that noise " . I'm looking into

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the moment. I've heard it has helped

a few people with their 4S. It's not a cure... but I'll take any

help even if it's minor. I know what you mean about feeling exhaused

at the end of the day. 4S is very tiring emotionally, mentally and

physically. On my worst days, I feel like I've been run over by a

bus at the end of the day. I think you will find that just knowing

there are others like you, and being a part of this group will give

you some comfort. It has for me anyhow.

Welcome again.

Darlene

PS. Have you seen the new website? http://www.soundsensitive.org/

>

> I can't even begin to explain how wonderful it feels to have found

> this group and to actually have a name for my " problem " . But, then

> again, for all of you here I am quite sure that I do not have to

> explain. I am a 39 year old female who has suffered with SSSD for

> 34 years. I have been to numerous therapists, psychiatrists and

> NONE of them know what to do with me, except to sit and stare at me

> like I am an alien. I have tried everything imaginable (drugs,

> herbs, homeopathic, flower essences, yoga, meditation) but nothing

> has worked. I would literally do almost anything to be rid of

> SSSD. In addition to having SSSD, I am a HSP (Highly Sensitive

> Individual) and Empathic (I pick up on others moods/energies). I

> would imagine that most people with SSSD are Highly Sensitive

> Beings. Being an HSP and Empathic and having SSSD, I find that I

am

> so utterly exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of many days, it is

> very difficult to lead a " normal " life. I am wondering how many

> people out there feel the same?

>

> SSSD is usually trigerred for me by people who are closest to me

and

> who I love the most, which frustrates me to no end. I do get very

> agitated by anyone swinging their legs, tapping or smacking/chewing

> gum though. My mother is wonderful and really tried to understand,

> but I know that it really hurts her. She clears her throat ALL the

> time and it puts me through the roof. My ex-husband just used to

> think that I was " crazy " which, I have to say, I often feel that

way

> myself. Luckily, I am not too bothered by any of my close friends,

> except for one of my best friends, who I love dearly, who also

> happens to work with me (right next to me in fact). She sniffs a

> LOT and loudly (to me anyway) stamps invoices, both of which really

> put me through the roof. I love her dearly and am afraid to say

> anything to her, especially since I have already sheepishly had to

> ask her to stop wearing perfume as I am very sensitive to chemicals

> (does anyone else have that problem)?

>

> Anyway, enough about me, I am sure a version of my story has been

> posted here 1,000 times. Can anyone suggest ANYTHING that really

> helps? I am so desperate to not have to suffer with this day in

and

> day out! I would love to be able to live without SSSD. It would

> make my life and my relationships so much easier.

>

> Desperately Seeking Help! Thank you in advance for any replies!

>

[Guest guest]

Everyone is different but I can offer advice that has helped me personally. No more caffeine. If you drink coffee or anything with caffeine in it such as chocolate, energy drinks etc then cut it out altogether, and eat healthful foods, for at least a few weeks if it doesn't help then at least you can rule that out for yourself. It doesn't directly help me when confronting a sound however my recovery time dramatically improved, I only get distracted by the sound when it is happening and a few seconds after, with caffeine in my diet the anxiety lingers for minutes up to hours, but changing my diet not only makes me feel better but I'm able to feel that it's not the end of the world beacuse I have this demon. If you don't have any caffeine already then look at other foods that might be stimulants, good luck

Subject: WOW - I am NOT the only one on this planet to have this dis-order!!!To: Soundsensitivity Date: Friday, August 1, 2008, 11:19 AM

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[Guest guest]

You know now that everyone is saying it, I do notice that I am more sensitive than other people. Not in a way like my feelings get hurt easily, but sometimes I just feel like I'm so in tune with everything that other people aren't. I'm really detail orientated, and I can read people's body energies well too. It actually gets kind of annoying!! I guess that's why my boss likes me soo much. Speaking of work, my heart goes out to all the people with 4s that work in a closed environment i.e office/cubicle or anything else along those lines. Really!! I couldn't do it, from people eating- to computer typing!! I tend to work at restuarants, because noone can chew gum! haha, plus the loud noises and the music playing in the restuarant helps tune out every other trigger. If it weren't for this

disorder I probably wouldn't have worked in the food industry so much, and I probably would never have been inspired to be a health inspector. Just the bright side of things!

Chantal

p.s The other day I just happened to be up really early, so I took the dog and watched the sunrise. It was wonderful, and refreshing. I know a lot of you have busy schedules and kids. But I think it might help just to be awe every now and then. : )

WOW - I am NOT the only one on this planet to have this dis-order!!!

I can't even begin to explain how wonderful it feels to have found this group and to actually have a name for my "problem". But, then again, for all of you here I am quite sure that I do not have to explain. I am a 39 year old female who has suffered with SSSD for 34 years. I have been to numerous therapists, psychiatrists and NONE of them know what to do with me, except to sit and stare at me like I am an alien. I have tried everything imaginable (drugs, herbs, homeopathic, flower essences, yoga, meditation) but nothing has worked. I would literally do almost anything to be rid of SSSD. In addition to having SSSD, I am a HSP (Highly Sensitive Individual) and Empathic (I pick up on others moods/energies) . I would imagine that most people with SSSD are Highly Sensitive Beings. Being an HSP and Empathic and having SSSD, I find that I am so utterly exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of many days, it

is very difficult to lead a "normal" life. I am wondering how many people out there feel the same?SSSD is usually trigerred for me by people who are closest to me and who I love the most, which frustrates me to no end. I do get very agitated by anyone swinging their legs, tapping or smacking/chewing gum though. My mother is wonderful and really tried to understand, but I know that it really hurts her. She clears her throat ALL the time and it puts me through the roof. My ex-husband just used to think that I was "crazy" which, I have to say, I often feel that way myself. Luckily, I am not too bothered by any of my close friends, except for one of my best friends, who I love dearly, who also happens to work with me (right next to me in fact). She sniffs a LOT and loudly (to me anyway) stamps invoices, both of which really put me through the roof. I love her dearly and am afraid to say

anything to her, especially since I have already sheepishly had to ask her to stop wearing perfume as I am very sensitive to chemicals (does anyone else have that problem)?Anyway, enough about me, I am sure a version of my story has been posted here 1,000 times. Can anyone suggest ANYTHING that really helps? I am so desperate to not have to suffer with this day in and day out! I would love to be able to live without SSSD. It would make my life and my relationships so much easier.Desperately Seeking Help! Thank you in advance for any replies!