Sudden Development of Severe Screen Sensitivity?

[Athyrium]

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has any advice or resources on this issue. At the start of this month I suddenly developed a screen-sensitivity. If I try to use a screen device, like phone or computer for more than 5-10 minutes I feel very nauseated and get a headache. If I try to continue using a device for 30min to an hour, I will get a migraine. This is completely new to me and pretty debilitating. I knew another woman who also developed something similar, but she also was never able to figure out why.

So if anyone has any advice or resources on this issue I would appreciate it a lot.

 

[Bolletje]

For me personally this is/was a sign of being severely overstimulated. At the lowest point of my autistic burnout I could not handle screens well at all. Taking it very easy and taking care of myself helped, it got better slowly.

I’d suggest consulting a medical professional with this issue though, if you haven’t already.

 

[Athyrium]

For me personally this is/was a sign of being severely overstimulated. At the lowest point of my autistic burnout I could not handle screens well at all. Taking it very easy and taking care of myself helped, it got better slowly.

I’d suggest consulting a medical professional with this issue though, if you haven’t already.

Thank you very much for your advice. I will be sure to do both.

 

[Rodafina]

@Bolletje’s post makes a lot of sense. Another thing to consider is if your eyes have changed recently. Do you wear glasses and could your prescription have changed? I’ve worn glasses since I was small and my prescription is constantly changing and although it happens slowly, sometimes I notice it all of a sudden.

But the overstimulation idea sounds a bit more likely.

 

[Bolletje]

I’d like to add it is debilitating and it can be pretty scary. I spent a lot of days just in a dark room because I didn’t really know what to do. If it is overstimulation I hope you manage to tackle it before it gets worse: for me it developed into where I got severe debilitating tinnitus with just the smallest amount of stimuli (that’s getting better now too, though).

I consulted a physical therapist specialized in rehabilitation after brain injury (referred by my GP) and his explanation was that neurodivergent people in the acute phase of a burnout can exhibit symptoms very similar to post-concussion syndrome.

 

[Athyrium]

@Bolletje’s post makes a lot of sense. Another thing to consider is if your eyes have changed recently. Do you wear glasses and could your prescription have changed? I’ve worn glasses since I was small and my prescription is constantly changing and although it happens slowly, sometimes I notice it all of a sudden.

But the overstimulation idea sounds a bit more likely.

I do not wear glasses and haven't noticed any change in my vision, but thank you. That is also something really important to consider.

I’d like to add it is debilitating and it can be pretty scary. I spent a lot of days just in a dark room because I didn’t really know what to do. If it is overstimulation I hope you manage to tackle it before it gets worse: for me it developed into where I got severe debilitating tinnitus with just the smallest amount of stimuli (that’s getting better now too, though).

I consulted a physical therapist specialized in rehabilitation after brain injury (referred by my GP) and his explanation was that neurodivergent people in the acute phase of a burnout can exhibit symptoms very similar to post-concussion syndrome.

That's both really fascinating and terrible. I also have the tinnitus issue, but I thought that was compounded from previous hearing damage. Something else to ponder.

Thank you so much, I will be sure to share that last bit with my GP when I see them. I really appreciate all your advice.