overstimulation

For many people recovering from brain injuries, infections like COVID-19, or exposure to toxins, everyday sights and sounds can suddenly become overwhelming. The sunlight that once felt warm and comforting now feels piercing. A soft conversation can sound like a scream. This intense sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia) is more than just discomfort—it's a sign of how deeply the brain's sensory balance has been disrupted.