New Discovery

tasMember

I have really been struggling with sensitivity and so much so, it has been getting in the way of living life and affecting every aspect of it.

The Therapist, who is currently on a three week break, is unavailable so I have been trying to navigate through this accidental new discovery.

I went online to look for what could cause so much sensitivity and came across the book by Elaine Aron, "The Highly Sensitive Person."

I went to the library and checked out the book. I started to read it and at the very beginning it had a few questions. There was not one question that wasn't true for me.

I thought this would be liberating for me, however, I now see it as one more thing the Universe has given me to contend with. I don't know how the trauma exacerbates some issues, what is there because of the trauma, etc.

My expectation of feeling relieved over this, and the fact I am not, is somewhat disconcerting. I think it is because I am not sure how to view myself. If I was just a highly sensitive person without the experiences of so much trauma, I would have a different view, perhaps, of what it means to be highly sensitive.

Can any of you share your experiences in regards to being highly sensitive (if you have taken the questionnaire by Elaine Aron) and how to navigate through trauma you have experienced?

I now understand why I have had to take therapy so slow.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

9/20/134:16 AM

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tygrMember

Yes! I'm an HSP and I found Elaine Aron's work validating and explained why I find things difficult that other people take for granted. I found it gave me permission to be me and to recognise I need more down time and to withdraw and nurture my deep feelings rather than beat myself up for them (although I still do that too). She has written a book called Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person which I took in to show my T. She was pretty dismissive about it but it might be worth a look? It's written for therapists but is useful for clients too.

I think she says that HSPs aren't any more likely than nonHSPs to suffer trauma but that when they do it is more likely to affect them deeply. I think this makes sense because of the way we take in so much information and process deeply.

It is an advantage. Don't forget that. Being sensitive gives us a great deal that others don't have. I view my sensitivity as the best thing about me. Yes, it can increase suffering but I think it allows me to experience everything life has to offer in such a rich way. Hopefully my joy is deeper as well as my pain!

Happy to talk more about it. I think her work is brilliant

9/20/136:31 AM

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findingainsleyMember

I, too, am highly sensitive. I've been told my whole life that I was too sensitive, but I've come to embrace it AND manage it a bit more effectively(I HOPE). I know I feel my emotions strongly, maybe even stronger because of the trauma I have endured. I sometimes wonder myself what I would have been like if I was born in a completely different environment? I am currently taking a psychology class and we are reading about nature vs. nature. It gets me thinking a lot. I haven't read that book you mentioned, but I'm going to check it out. I always appreciate book recommendations.

9/20/137:10 AM

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tasMember

Thank you Tygr and FA

I will definitely check out the book psychotherapy and the HSP, Tygr. I have been thinking about purchasing it, more for myself in regards to how difficult psychotherapy has been for me. Perhaps it can shed some light and put things in a beneficial perspective as I work through what I have to.

FA: Definitely check out the book

There is a questionnaire at the front that is helpful. Yes, I am familiar with the nature vs. nurture. I wonder the same thing...if I had been born into a different environment, how different would I be?

All the best,
T.

9/20/137:36 AM

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catalystMember

I don't really know how another person would react, it seems to me almost everyone, at least here, can hold this lable. I think in therapy it may contribute to how much I pick up on and notice and feel... And then because of the trauma background, the way I interpret what I observe in painted with my feelings about myself because of the trauma. Perhaps without the trauma I'd observe things through a more gentle lense, safer to be curious.

9/20/1310:58 AM

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findingainsleyMember

Do you all think that our sensitivity leaves us highly intuitive as well? I tend to find myself really being able to pick on the subtle clues of how another is doing or feeling in any interaction I have, especially with T because of how close that relationship is. I tend to really feel everything very easily and can definitely tell if it's a bad day or intuitively know when she's dealing with some very difficult personal things, even though she never ever lets that come into our sessions. I just sense it, I guess. Anyone else feel that?

9/22/1310:45 AM

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