Overstimulated Vs. Overwhelmed: Exploring The Differences

You may have heard the terms “overstimulated” and “overwhelmed” used, perhaps even interchangeably, to describe situations where there is too much to do, process, think about, or perceive at once. While these words may sometimes be used the same way—and possibly even overlap—they actually describe two distinct experiences. Overstimulation typically involves sensory overload, but being overwhelmed often involves a sense of stress about seemingly unmanageable responsibilities and demands for your attention. Both of these experiences can be effectively managed with the help of an in-person or online therapist.

What does it mean to be overstimulated?

Overstimulation may also be referred to as “sensory overload.” This generally describes an experience in which one or more senses (such as sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, balance, or temperature perception) become overloaded with too much sensory input. 

When this happens, the brain may enter a state of fight-or-flight, potentially leading to feelings of distress, anxiety, or panic. Intense sensory stimulation, which can trigger sensory overload or chronic sensory overload, might include things like intense smells, bright or flashing lights, loud noises, crowds, or certain textures. 

Though anyone can experience sensory overload, those with certain disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or sensory processing disorder, may be more susceptible to experiencing overstimulation. Other mental health conditions, such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder, can also be correlated with an increased risk of overstimulation. 

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Although symptoms may vary according to each individual, those who experience sensory overstimulation typically experience agitation, restlessness, or a strong desire to escape the trigger sensation(s). Other sensory overload symptoms may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Agitation, irritability, or excitability
• Discomfort, fear, or panic
• Difficulty concentrating
• Extreme sensitivity to external stimuli, such as bright lights or strong smells
• A heightened startle response
• A strong desire to stop the trigger

What does it mean to be overwhelmed?

Feeling overwhelmed can be described as having conflicting stressors, demands on your time, or more responsibilities than you can handle. It might seem as if you’re spread too thin, that there aren’t enough hours in the day, that too many things are competing for your attention, or that you can’t process another unexpected event or responsibility. Feeling overwhelmed may lead to symptoms like:

• Fatigue or insomnia
• Irritability or anxiety
• A feeling of helplessness 
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Headaches, nausea, dizziness, a racing heart, or other physical symptoms

A variety of factors may lead an individual to become overwhelmed. These can include academic or career-related stressors, family responsibilities, illnesses, unexpected personal events, relationship challenges, or other demands on one’s time and energy. 

Feeling overwhelmed is typically connected to stress, particularly chronic stress, in which the nervous system can continue to trigger physical reactions in the body for an extended period. This, in turn, may lead to other symptoms, such as feelings of emotional exhaustion or conditions like depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure. 

Being overwhelmed and being overstimulated: Similarities and differences

That said, it may be important to note that there also tend to be differences in the ways these conditions are triggered and can manifest. In general, overstimulation is a condition triggered by an excess of sensory input, while overwhelm is usually driven by the perception that there are too many stressors for a person to handle. 

Benefits of online therapy

Therapy may be a worthwhile resource for those who feel overstimulated or overwhelmed. However, attending therapy in person may not always be feasible, particularly for those whose overstimulation can be triggered by traveling to a therapist’s office or those feeling too overwhelmed to add an additional commute to their schedules. In these cases, online therapy may offer an alternative, empowering you to attend therapy sessions from home. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Research suggests that online therapy can be an effective and cost-efficient alternative to in-person therapy. One study from 2017, for instance, found that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could be a useful treatment for conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder, which can manifest as a result of overwhelm or overstimulation.