Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) refers to a condition where the brain struggles to receive and respond appropriately to information from the senses. This can involve difficulties with sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, and even movement and body position. While SPD can affect individuals of all ages, it is frequently identified in children. Many individuals with SPD, or their caregivers, often notice that sensory challenges appear to intensify or become more problematic during the evening hours.
Sensory System Overload and Exhaustion
The brain of an individual with Sensory Processing Disorder processes sensory input less efficiently, making daily sensory input taxing. For someone with SPD, this continuous effort leads to significant neurological fatigue by the time evening arrives. This exhaustion diminishes the brain’s capacity to effectively regulate sensory input.
This reduced regulation means stimuli manageable earlier become overwhelming. The brain’s filters, which normally help to prioritize and ignore irrelevant sensory data, become less effective. Consequently, everyday sounds, lights, or textures previously tolerated may now trigger heightened reactions, contributing to increased discomfort and dysregulation as the day progresses.
Unique Nighttime Sensory Environment
The nighttime environment itself plays a significant role in exacerbating SPD symptoms. As external stimuli diminish with darkness and quiet, the brain’s focus shifts. The absence of distracting external inputs can paradoxically lead to an increased awareness of subtle or internal sensory information that might otherwise go unnoticed.
For example, clothing on the skin, the hum of household appliances, or internal body noises like a heartbeat or stomach sounds can become much more prominent and overwhelming. This heightened perception of internal and subtle external stimuli can make it difficult for individuals with SPD to relax and prepare for sleep. The quiet of night, which is calming for many, can amplify these previously ignored sensations into significant disturbances.
Physiological and Emotional Contributors
Internal biological factors and psychological states also contribute to the worsening of SPD symptoms at night. The body’s natural circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep-wake cycles, involve hormonal shifts that can impact sensory regulation. For instance, inconsistencies in melatonin levels, a hormone that helps induce sleep, can disrupt the body’s natural drowsiness signals.
The winding down period at the end of the day can also bring about increased anxiety or stress. Individuals with SPD may experience heightened apprehension related to the day’s accumulated sensory challenges or anticipate difficulties with falling asleep. The disruption of established routines at night can be particularly unsettling for those with SPD, as a lack of predictable structure can increase feelings of unease and dysregulation.
Strategies for Nighttime Comfort
Establishing consistent routines is a practical strategy for managing SPD symptoms at night. Creating a predictable sequence of calming activities before bed can help signal to the brain that it is time to wind down. This routine might include a warm bath, quiet reading, or gentle movement.
Creating a calming sensory environment in the bedroom is also beneficial. Dim lighting, the use of white noise or calming music, and selecting bedding made from preferred textures can help reduce sensory overwhelm. For long-term management and personalized strategies, professional support from an occupational therapist is often recommended.