Sensory issues getting worse with age?

[vergil96]

I wonder, I'm not convinced about it, but I feel like my sensory issues got worse with age and it might not be just having more responsibilities? I'm just 28, so it's not old by any means, but I can't remember sensory issues getting in my way so much at, say, 20. I wonder if it's not something cardiovascular, because it coincided with developing more frequent migraines with aura (I had them since teens, but rarely) and mild varicose veins (it's not the veins that are visible, I swell from escess cortisol, so stress and lack of rest and sleep, and lack of movement too). It's not by any means a lot of aging, but as far as I know, both migraines and varicose veins are caused by "wear and tear" of the walls of blood vessels. I have suspicions of something autoimmune going on as well, because allergies started to be a problem for me (I also have celiac disease, but I went gluten-free 2 years ago or so, so it shouldn't be a problem - but could it cause further autoimmune diseases?). On the other hand, at 20 I got more frequent and more severe infections such as the flu, had depression every now and then, it made me not be "up" 100% of the time, now that I don't have clear health imposed limits, I need to learn to pace myself, take breaks and rest. Self care is important: eat regularly, stay hydrated, move, unwind, get good quality sleep.

 

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I think a big part of it is that as you age your priorities shift. I was the same as you when young, I loved live music and used to love rock concerts and busy night clubs but my tolerance got less as I got older. I also spent an extraordinary amount of energy on socialising and was internally driven to find a partner. As I got older this seemed less important.

That will change further as you get older again.

Thread 'Does Autism get Worse as you Age?'

Sep 29, 2022

As I got in to my 50s my autistic traits seemed to get worse, or more pronounced. Logic tells me that it’s probably just part of the process of getting older. Less energy and less inclination to keep holding up the mask, a little less caring of what others think, grumpy old man syndrome, etc.

It seems a bit of a strange question to ask in here but:

Am I normal?

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• Replies: 61
• Forum: General Autism Discussion

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[Neonatal RRT]

...and this is what I said back in 2022:

"In short,...YES.

I never gave much thought to my sensory issues until much later in life,...it was just something I had,...adapt and overcome,...sometimes ignore. Now,...I am a lot more aware of my sensory issues. Same thing with my autistic traits and behaviors,...now I am a lot more aware.

To say that they are necessarily "worse",...perhaps,...not sure. It may be that I am generally less tolerant of "BS",...my own or anyone else's. It may be that I am more educated and self-aware of my condition than I was."

There is something about cognitive biases and rumination that may be adding to one's awareness. For example, let's take my visual snow syndrome and tinnitus symptoms. If I am going about my daily activities, don't think about it, am focused upon other things, and no attention is given to them, then they don't seem to be bad, at all. However, get me in a dark, quiet room, and my entire field of vision is snowy and the tinnitus becomes quite overwhelming and uncomfortable. I am thinking that some sensory issues, in some cases, can be pushed aside or pulled to the forefront depending upon your focus and situation.

Now, as far as the development of chronic inflammation, those inflammatory mediators, because they travel through the bloodstream, can influence the function of all organ systems. If the brain is in a state of chronic inflammation, then, for sure, sensory issues can become more prominent.

Chronic stress can also influence hormonal responses, as you mentioned, cortisol, but catecholamines are also released, giving you a heightened sensory experience.

Throw in another contributing factor, low vagal tone (common in autism), and you've got a recipe for an elevated sensory experience.

Multiple pathways. As you say, "Self care is important: eat regularly, stay hydrated, move, unwind, get good quality sleep."