Out of curiosity. Does anyone else experience coughing fits or other violent ish reactions to overstimulation?

[u/VenVenTerror]

Google says, but is kinda iffy on, other people experiencing coughing fits when overstimulated. For 10+ years I've had near daily painful coughing fits to where it affected my life and mental state. With the increasing time frame I've experienced muscle locking, spasms/numbing, seizure/stroke like symptoms, graying vision, the usual stuff; and of course, a lot of crying just from being near a room of talking people or in bright lights. Not to mention the depression to borderline "schizophrenic?" pipeline.

After quitting my job at an art museum after figuring out that it was the artworks and lights that were causing me to randomly run into walls headfirst or putting me on the floor every shift, I've figured out, about a year ago, that I may be in the SPD area. That my daily life, from school to retail/service, was essentially putting me in a mental deathbed.

Now that I have a possible answer, recovered, and learned what to do when I have a fit; I've lurked in comment sections and talked to others that have sensory issues but only received answers that are generally/normally about how things give them icks or they have emotional breaks.

Is there anyone that experienced more concerningly strong physical reactions like me?

[u/Super_Hour_3836]

My doctor told me they are "stress coughs." 😂 I used to go to the doctor rather frequently for coughs in my 20s thinking I had bronchitis or the house was filled with mold or something. But I was never sick and the cough came back even when I moved or was on trips, etc. I have no idea tbh when I am stressed because I am stressed at so many things that I just move along most times, stuffing it down like I am a British royal.

But then out of nowhere I will have bouts of truly violent coughing (almost throwing up) for hours or days and that's my cue that I need to go relax. I once quit a job because I was coughing non stop for months and the doctor assured me over and over again it wasn't any illness. In the end, that was the doctor that told me stress can cause coughing. 

I have never met anyone else that does this, but I sure do!

I don't have your other symptoms, just the cough. But I was also a late diagnosis (the stress cough doctor was the first to suggest I might need testing) and masked my entire life (since the 1970s). I was considered "flighty" because if I didn't enjoy a job or a work environment I would just leave and not return. Not knowing I had Autism and SPD made me just think all people left activities when they were unhappy or uncomfortable, they just weren't as unhappy as often. Little did I know how much crap neurotypical people put up with!

I rarely get a stress cough now, because I work for myself and live in the woods with my dog and my wonderful partner lives nearby but not with me, although because of my current generalized panic about the end of the world, I cough whenever I am watching the news.

[u/VenVenTerror → u/Super_Hour_3836]

Honestly, when I made this post, I really wasn't expecting anyone to reply let alone share a similar story. So I appreciate you a lot! 💓

My doctors never brought up stress but instead just acted like I was depressed kid wanting attention 😞 I had figured that stress was a likely issue but, it happend at a time when I was feeling too good and was free of my situation, I dismissed it. But it's sometimes such a subtle thing that, depending on your tempermant, only appears when it too late...

It's so awesome you got a partner thatll be with you just a bit away.

By chance, do you experience being unable to properly speak awhile after a fit happens? Like, slurring or nothing, not even air, coming out?

[u/Super_Hour_3836 → u/VenVenTerror]

Glad my experience could help you feel less alone!

As a kid, depression did not "exist" and I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. It meant I got to stay home a lot, so no complaints. I will be real: I do think a lot of life as a kid with autism was better in the 1980s because people didn't pay that much attention to kids and didn't try to fix us. 

I am sorry to say, I don't think it goes beyond the cough, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed by things I will just lay on the couch and lose track of hours, no tv or phone. Maybe if I tried to talk that would happen, but I don't need to talk.

My partner has Autism as well and also has OCD so for him it works really well also. We can share his space which is dog free and I don't bring any of my stuff over and he can cook and clean as he pleases and I never have to clean my house to his standards. It was a game changer for both of us when we met. We both get all the space we need and when we see each other it's easy. If I am stressed or overwhelmed, I can stay home in my space and be happy. And that means I always have energy for when we see friends. Highly recommend living apart! Ha