If I'm in public and seem distracted, this is part of it. Also, lots of visual stimulus registers as "noise" to me.
I have that issue when there are too many people around, flashing lights, too many signs, hell, too many varieties of milk to choose from at the store. Visual pollution is overwhelming just like noise pollution.
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I remember clearly the moment I understood that I have sensory processing issues.
My boss was standing in the door of my office talking to me, and I couldn't understand her because I had a document open on my screen, there were fluorescent lights overhead, and the bubbles in my soda can were too loud.
@tyghebright
I know I've always been like this, but I didn't realize it wasn't "typical" or "normal" until about a decade ago. I didn't understand why/how other people could function when, for example, a neighbor was pounding the ground with a basketball for 3 hours. I'd LOVE to not be like this.