Sensory dysorality is a disorder linked to hypersensitivity to food tastes, textures and odors leading to a refusal to eat. It is common in children but also affects adults. Discovery with Dr. Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist.
the speech disorder what is the sensory dysorality comes from a hypersensitivity to smells, tastes and texture. It causes difficulties feeding. If this syndrome affects young children more it can also occur at age adult (trauma, food phobia, anorexia). Furthermore, there is a close connection between sensory dysorality and autism. What are the symptoms sensory dysoriality? What are the causes ? How cure sensory dysorality?
Definition: what is sensory dysorality?
This speech disorder is a genetic hyperreactivity of the organs of taste and smell. “Sensory dysorality is a disorder associated with hypersensitivity to food tastes, textures and odors causing a refusal to eat. In other words, any product experienced as sensorially unbearable (taste, smell, texture) will generate a defense mechanism through rejection. Sensory dysorality can appear from the age of food diversification in children, and is rarer in adults“says Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist.
What are the causes of sensory dysorality?
No study has been able to reveal a definite cause and it seems that the reasons are plural. “Heredity, complications at birth, difficulty swallowing, traumatic event (sensation of suffocation, wrong way, vomiting…), as well as aggravating environmental factors (intra-family conflicts, dysfunctional daily life, change of routines…) can be risk factors for developing sensory dysorality” develops the psychologist.
What are the symptoms of sensory dysorality?
Sensory dysorality is manifested by various symptoms, including:
- A loss of appetite
- a slow and complex chewing
- a food sorting on the plate
- a refusal to eat
- of the nausea during meals
- a swallowing disorder
- a exacerbation of the senses (smell and taste).
Does sensory dysorality affect adults?
In general, sensory dysorality sets in at an early age (in children or newborns) and if the disorder is not taken care of, sequelae can persist into adulthood. “But in some cases, after certain painful or traumatic experiences, for example, sensory dysorality can set in in adults rather in the form of a phobia causing a food aversion that can go as far as anorexia“says our interlocutor.
What is the link between sensory dysorality and autism?
There is a link between sensory dysorality and autistic disorders. “Sensoriality is often disturbed in subjects with autism. Oral hypersensitivity in the case of dysorality, particularly related to texture, is a problem that disrupts the patient’s diet, continues Dr. Johanna Rozenblum. There are several causes: food neophobia (fear of new foods) which affects 80% of autistic children, difficulties in social interactions making meals anxiety-provoking, swallowing disorders, hyperemotivity”.
Treatment begins with a somatic inquiry, that is to say a study of the patient’s body in order to rule out any functional problems. Then you have to turn to specialists like the speech therapists and psychologists who work on the one hand orality, sensory integration and swallowing And on the other hand the affective and emotional aspect. “The cognitive-behavioural approach therapies (CBT) are well indicated because in addition to the development work, small objectives in the form of exercises can be set up“says our expert.
Thanks to Dr Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist and author of the book “Hypersensitivity how to make it an asset?” published on April 20, 2022.