Help for anyone who is a Highly Sensitive Person
You may have felt different from other people for a long time and wondered why you react (or over-react) in a way that others do not in all kinds of different environments and social situations.
If you have been struggling in your life, feeling different and knowing that you ‘don’t seem to fit in’ quite as easily as others do in different environments and social situations, then please read this article, because this might help you to understand more readily why you feel as you do.
You may feel anxious all the time, or even panic in some situations, because you are over-whelmed by noise, bright lights, certain smells, fabrics that touch you and make you feel irritated by them or uncomfortable in some way, or certain tastes that you dislike intensely. You may also perceive more quickly, and feel more intensely, any changes in your environment which involve what other people are feeling, because you tend to be far more empathic. Highly-sensitive people are able to pick up emotion and reactions generally more easily in others, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
All of this may indicate that you are one of the 20% of the entire world population who were born with hyper-sensitivity, meaning that all five of your senses may, at different times, cause you to become stressed, distressed, anxious or even panic-stricken. These are traits that you are born with – just like the colour of your eyes!
People who are highly-sensitive people (HSPs) become easily over-stimulated and they can become quickly overwhelmed if they are put under pressure and they have too much to do all at once.
These are some of the traits which have been identified in highly-sensitive people:
- Feels uncomfortable or overwhelmed when having too many things occurring simultaneously
- Feels uncomfortable when exposed to bright lights, loud sounds, or certain strong smells
- Startles easily by sudden noises, fast traffic, or other unpleasant surprises
- Feels upset when watching or reading negative news in the media; dislikes scary or violent shows
- Feels awkward in group situations; feels uneasy or unable to be him/herself
- Has a hard time accepting critical feedback, even when it is given constructively
- Often believes people are judgmental, even without evidence
- Overreacts to real or perceived slights and provocations
- Often is concerned about what others are thinking
- Tends to take things personally
- Feels hurt easily
- Tends to “beat up” self when falling short of own expectations
- Fears rejection, even in minor situations
- Often has difficulty letting go of negative thoughts and emotions
- Frequently feels physical symptoms when something unpleasant happens
However, HSPs are some of the most lovely, kind, caring people on the planet and being an HSP just means that you need to develop that self-awareness and the ability to manage your own reactions, emotions and feelings in a way that enables you to lead a happy life.
If you recognise that several of these traits apply to you and you also recognise that you would benefit from my help in managing your anxiety, or understanding the implications of being a highly-sensitive person, then please do not hesitate to contact me, either for an initial chat, or to book a session where I can begin to help you to manage and to cope with your hyper-arousal and hyper-sensitivity.
Please call me on 07913 979561 or on my landline – 01422 321412.
Alternatively, you can use the contact form here.
I look forward to helping you.
Diane Wade RegMBACP, GQHP, CNHC, DipHyp