What is vestibular hypersensitivity?IN BRIEF
Vestibular hypersensitivity is when information about movements, vibrations and displacements is received too intensely. The hypersensitive person may have difficulty with experiencing certain movements, like getting around in a vehicle or taking part in games that involve movement. Autistic people have hypersensitivities or hyposensitivities more often, but people without any particular developmental diagnosis can also have these conditions.
What is vestibular hypersensitivity?
Vestibular hypersensitivity is a high degree of sensitivity to movement, displacement and vibration, when there is an overly strong response to stimuli that affect the vestibular system. Certain movements, tasks or activities can be a real challenge.
Movements
Many movements can be difficult for people with vestibular hypersensitivity.
- Balance
- Rotation
- Dance
- Sports
Environments
Many environments can be difficult for people with vestibular hypersensitivity to cope with.
- Public transportation
- Amusement park rides
- Games involving spinning
Daily tasks
Many everyday tasks are more difficult for people with vestibular hypersensitivity.
- Brushing their teeth
- Hairstyling
Symptoms and consequences of vestibular hypersensitivity
The symptoms of vestibular hypersensitivity vary from person to person. You don’t have to have the whole list of symptoms to be hypersensitive, and there are many symptoms that are not on this list.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Pain with movement
- Avoidance of physical activity
Solutions for vestibular hypersensitivity
- Avoiding sudden head movements
- Avoiding holding a fixed position
- Vestibular rehabilitation (with a professional)
- Taking frequent breaks
- Avoiding using the computer for long periods
- Getting enough sleep
If symptoms change over time or appear suddenly, consult a healthcare professional.
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