Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight (Paperback)

A person with a nervous system that works excessively experiences a regular disturbance since his "senses are in overdrive" (page 2). The stuff involves with sensory defensiveness is one of the nine systems in the human body - the nervous system. Heller writes, "Under extremely stressful conditions and excess of the neurotransmitter glutamate kills cells, making the brain less able to inhibit sensory input" (9). That which prepares a person to have sensory defensiveness may be a head injury, physical or psychological abuse, or post-traumatic stress. Heller writes, "In most cases the brain is miswired" (11). Experts who have understood the problem of sensory defensiveness include Jean Ayers, Patricia Wilbarger and Julia Wilbarger.

The history of sensory defensiveness involves a fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen entitled "The Princess and the Pea" (1835) which tells the story of a woman who slept on many mattresses in order to not be hurt by a small green pea under the bottom mattress. A person with sensory defensiveness is analogous to a hungry person. Just as a person who avoids food will become hungry, the person who "avoids sensation" (7) will become touch hungry. Thus, Heller asks, "Have you been hugged today? Have you worked up a sweat? (11)." A sensory defensive person will have many signs: a nervous system that "springs at the slightest provocation" (11), "learned helplessness" (121), and a slumped posture "like a wet dishrag" (202). Heller's solutions to the problem of an excessive nervous system are logical and based on common sense. Heller writes, "Some part of you will feel abnormal and flawed and a deep loss for a healthy self" (159). She recommends that attention and 'grease' be applied to one's digestive system (Ch. 13), and muscular system (Ch. 8) and respiratory system (Ch. 11).

For people who genuinely suffer from sensory defensiveness, Heller offers hope and encouragement that is worth much more than the price of the book.

I highly recommend this book for adults who may feel as if they are more sensitive than others to sights, sounds, textures. As a busy mom of 3 kids I read this 300+ page book in a day and a half!!