Dysregulation

Dysregulation is a state in which a person's emotional, sensory, or physiological response exceeds what they can manage given the current context - typically manifesting as distress, overwhelm, shutdown, or outburst. It is common in autism, ADHD, noise sensitivity, PTSD, and a range of mental-health conditions, and is often triggered by sensory overload, cumulative stressors, or unexpected change. Assistive technologies targeting dysregulation usually focus on early detection (via physiological or environmental sensors), coping-strategy prompts, and - increasingly - on supporting allies who can provide co-regulation when the person cannot self-regulate alone.