“They Impact My Life Daily and Greatly”: A Qualitative Exploration of How Subjective Sensory Sensitivities Are Experienced, Exacerbated, and Coped With

Individuals who experience subjective sensory sensitivities can experience aversion, discomfort or distraction in the presence of sensory stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells. This qualitative analysis took a diagnosis-independent approach to understand the lived experience of sensory sensitivities in 713 individuals. Participants’ descriptions of the effect of their sensitivities on their daily lives were multi-faceted. Themes derived using template thematic analysis centred on sensitivities as limiting social and functional capabilities, creating challenges in personal relationships, and being described as effortful and exhausting. Diverse coping mechanisms were explained, including limiting sensory input, sensory stimulation, self-regulation and the role of others. Participants also described exacerbating factors that were both situational (e.g. focused tasks and crowds) and internal (e.g. stress and fatigue). Physical locations described as challenging were also identified to provide targets for sensory accommodations; these included schools, workplaces and shops. This work underscores the diverse and clear impact subjective sensitivities can have and highlights a need to acknowledge sensory differences outside of diagnostic silos to support wellbeing. Lay Abstract Many people feel overwhelmed by things like loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells; this is known as sensory sensitivity. It is common but we know relatively little about how much these experiences can affect daily life. In this study, 713 people shared their personal experiences with sensory sensitivities. By analysing their answers, we found that sensory sensitivities can make it harder for people to socialise, study, work or do everyday tasks like shopping or cooking. People described how these sensitivities often lead to them feeling exhausted or needing time alone to recover. People also told us that their reactions to sensory input could cause tension in their relationships. Some situations made these experiences worse. For example, being tired, stressed or in busy, unpredictable environments. People used different strategies to cope, such as wearing earplugs or sunglasses, avoiding certain places, using calming techniques like deep breathing, or seeking support from people around them. People said that places like schools, workplaces and shops could be particularly difficult for them to be in. Importantly, this study showed that sensory sensitivities can be experienced by many different people, including those without any diagnoses or areas of neurodivergence. By listening to their voices, we can better understand what makes environments difficult and how we might make public spaces more comfortable and inclusive for everyone.