What to know about hyperstimulation anxiety

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Hyperstimulation anxiety is the general term for when several of the senses become excessively stimulated. This stimulation can then cause heightened levels of anxiety, distress, and discomfort.

There is little scientific research on hyperstimulation anxiety.

Scientists define several forms of anxiety as mental health conditions. Hyperstimulation anxiety, however, does not appear to have a formal medical definition.

Stressful experiences are a natural part of life. Some can be positive, but others may be negative. People usually feel stressed in a situation they feel they cannot manage or control.

Experiencing a lot of stress or chronic stress can lead to anxiety. One risk factor for developing anxiety disorders is exposure to stressful and negative events.

A person’s stress system receives and processes signals from several sources and stimulations, called stressors. Stressors may be internal or external and result in a person feeling physical or emotional stress. They can include:

• neurosensory signals, including:
  • visual signals
  • auditory (sounds)
  • somatosensory (touch and tactile perceptions from the skin)
  • nociceptive (perception of pain)
  • visceral (senses from the organs such as nausea or bloating)
• limbic signals, such as those related to:
  • behavior
  • emotion
  • memory
  • learning
  • motivation
  • smell

These physical or psychological stimuli can result in a person experiencing stress responses.

Read more about stress and how to manage it.

If a person unavoidably experiences a negative stressor, they may have a stress response that can affect their physical and mental health. This can also happen if stress becomes chronic.

Stress responses can vary from person to person.

A person’s body can normally effectively manage short-term stress. However, stress may become chronic if stressors are overwhelming and remain unresolved. Chronic stress can keep cortisol levels high.

Cortisol is a hormone that affects several parts of the body. It helps to regulate the body’s response to stress. Long-term exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can lead to several complications, including anxiety.

Learn more about cortisol and stress.

Chronic stress can cause several mental and physical effects. It may lead to mental health conditions or can make existing conditions worse.

Mental and physical effects

Chronic stress can overexpose a person to cortisol and other stress hormones. This can increase the risk of:

• digestive problems
• weight gain
• anxiety and depression
• headaches
• sleep problems
• problems with memory and concentration
• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• stroke

Effects on daily life

Chronic stress can interfere with a person’s daily life over time. A person may:

• feel fatigued
• experience frustration
• be unable to concentrate
• be irritable without reason
• develop harmful coping mechanisms
• eventually experience burnout and a reduced stress tolerance

Learn more about how stress affects the body.

People with an anxiety disorder, such as hyperstimulation anxiety, should seek help from a mental health professional.

Mental health professionals can:

• diagnose anxiety disorders
• help manage stress
• treat anxiety

They can also check for any physical conditions that may cause symptoms. Every anxiety disorder has different characteristics.

Several methods may also help people cope with anxiety disorders:

• meditation
• anxiety management strategies, such as allowing specific periods of time for worrying
• attending support groups to share experiences and coping strategies
• learning more about the disorder
• yoga, combining:
  • physical postures
• • breathing exercises
  • meditation
• aerobic exercise
• helping family and friends to understand the condition better
• avoiding caffeine

People should seek professional medical advice before beginning an exercise plan.

Healthcare professionals can also often use treatments to help people cope with anxiety disorders. They can treat most disorders with psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of the two.

Psychotherapy

Healthcare professionals may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on constructive strategies to reduce beliefs and behaviors that lead to anxiety.

They may also use exposure response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP uses gradual exposure to situations in a safe environment. It aims to develop effective coping tools and constructive fear responses.

Medications

Medications can provide relief from emotional and physical anxiety symptoms. They cannot cure anxiety disorders, however. Common medications include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines.

Read more about anxiety medications.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

During specific therapies based on mindfulness, mental health professionals help a person to train their attention to reach a state of calm concentration and positive emotions. It may involve regular group classes, daily exercises, and yoga.

Learn more about mindfulness.

Hyperstimulation anxiety causes people to have heightened anxiety due to overstimulation of their senses. It is not currently a diagnosable condition.

However, healthcare and mental health professionals can recommend several effective treatments to reduce stress and anxiety symptoms.

If an individual is experiencing chronic stress or anxiety symptoms that affect their daily life, they should speak with a mental health professional.