Hypersensitivity is when a person is overly sensitive to things like smells, sounds, tastes, or textures. Generally, there are two different types of the condition. Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurological disorder that occurs when a person finds it difficult to respond to sensory input. The sensory overload usually occurs in response to certain triggers that remind the person of this trauma. People who have PTSD have usually experienced one or more traumatic events. This means that sensory overload and PTSD can often co-exist. People experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can become hypersensitive to their surroundings, which can lead to sensory overload.

, a nonprofit organization, suggests that certain types of sensory information, such as the texture of food or sensation of clothing, are more likely to cause sensory overload in those with ADHD. In people with ADHD, sensory inputs compete for attention in the brain, which may trigger sensory overload. Sensory overload and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can also go together. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association added sensitivity to sensory input to the list of diagnostic criteria for autism. This may involve crying and shouting, running away, or not responding to stimuli from the environment. When an autistic person becomes overwhelmed from sensory overload, they may experience a meltdown. This is because autistic people commonly perceive sensory input differently.

Sensory overload and autism can sometimes go hand in hand. Conditions that have an association with sensory overload include: Autism

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