I did an informal poll in my Facebook group asking if people in the group were highly sensitive too. It came out 100%. Are you HSP and how does it affect your life? How do you deal with it?
Wow I can relate to almost everything you said! It's the first time that's happened to me.
My second biggest nightmare is having to socialize in a big group after having to give a presentation in front a large audience. I hate that, it makes me anxious because I can be really shy and awkward in front of people. I'm already not a huge talker so when I'm in these situations I talk even less. But then, people tend to think that I'm rude, mad or sulky... Just today, I had a colleague asking me if I was okay because I was not talking and zoning out when we were gathered with other colleagues for our break. In my head, I was trying to find a way to jump into the conversation but I didn't know how to tell him that because I was afraid he'd think that that was weird, so I just nodded and said I was okay because it was much easier. When it comes to practical and physical tasks, I know I'm good at my job, but when it comes to social ones I can be a disaster. Like you said, I always have a game face on so I give the impression that I'm composed and serious. Plus, I'm naturally very pragmatic and realistic and I'm always trying to get to the point as fast as possible. My manager once told me that he really relied on me because I didn't let my emotions guide my work. I found that really ironic and funny. Yeah, I always look like I have it together, but I'm a mess internally
I'm not sure if I'm an HSP but I know I'm very sensitive when there's a lot of people around because I feel like I have to pay extra attention to everything and feel even more that I already feel. I don't do well with big crowds : then, I start to feel irritated (even angry at times) and that's when my anxiety kicks in. Since I work in a shop, I'm always surrounded by a lot of clients and it's really no fun for me. The constant noise paired with the commercial aspect of my job which has me talking to dozens of unpleasant clients everyday while putting on the 'business mask on' is really tiring because I feel like I'm always faking it. I've gotten used to it for the most part and can handle it on a daily basis but at the end of 2021, I had a panick attack. It was the holiday season, I was overworked and exhausted. One day, I was doing a task I was assigned which required me to be in the middle of dozens of clients directly surrounding me. At one point, I felt like I was suffocating and I had to isolate myself in a room when there was nobody and take a few minutes to breathe. I wouldn't exactly say I absord the feelings of others but I sympathize with them too much and worry about them and unconsciously try to ease their worries even when I don't know them. When I feel the anxiety coming, I've noticed that listening to music really loud with earphones really help me blocking the millions of thoughts running through my head.
i have that highly sensitive people book in my library, now i do believe it just goes with the infj territory, with me it's overstimulation that comes from too many people around me, smells, sounds, light, & especially tensions i pick up from others.. i'm married to someone with a.d.d. & i'm ocd, we are opposites which is a huge challenge. (that old song add & ocd live together in perfect harmony? NOT. lol) i've heard this difference in personality types referred to as 'room to grow'.. well i'm growing, but i also have stress related ibs & classic migraines with aura that are an ongoing health issues.. being accutely sensitive is a blessing and a curse..
I think it comes with being an INFJ. I tend to absorb the emotions of others a lot and when I do, it's really intense. I get overwhelmed with feelings; I could start crying and then it gets so hard to stop.
I am absolutely an HSP. Not just physically ( sensitive to environmental factors like sounds, smells, and having allergies) but mental/emotional sensitivity. I “connect the dots” of things going on in social and familial situations...when non-infj’s are oblivious to the dynamics in those situations. When it comes to perceiving the dysfunction, dishonesty, deviousness of people in certain work/social/familial situations….it has been a lifelong learning time, for me.
Yes, I believe so, but I am still relatively new to all the terminology. I know the more I learn, the more I feel like I've finally found people who understand, and it's very comforting to know I'm not alone. Sounds are louder for me, I use noise cancelling earbuds at work or I'm listening and processing the 4 conversations going on simultaneously around me following/keeping each one straight and concentrating on my work is next to impossible. I've always appreciated the arts paintings, music, movies, books. Very powerful what can be conveyed. Feel emotions deeply, and particular on taste, touch, and smell. Still learning about dealing with it all. I have a good counselor, who's helping me. My favorite escape lately has been music and dance when space allows for it.
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Unknown member
Feb 09, 2022
Sometimes that feeling is so intense and it does leave a lasting impression. I’m glad that you all worked through the darkness.
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Unknown member
Feb 09, 2022
Yes I agree. The worst experience is when I was observing someone having a manic/PTSD moment. I had an uneasy feeling and felt like I had to walk on egg shells around this family member. My body was trembling/shaking from that person’s energy alone. I was comfortable with the situation as I was not in any harm, just there for support, but my body was just absorbing that energy if that makes sense.
@Teresa makes sense! My husband struggles with ADHD sometimes and went through a dark place when he wanted to commit suicide. I absorbed it all. His pain was my pain. we worked through it, but it has lasting impacts for me.
Urghhh, def hsp, but never discovered this or understood until just 3/4 years ago. Everything makes sense now. I've adapted to just accepting what I feel and try not to let it overwhelm me, which sadly means shutting off a bit from emotion, otherwise it all can be just too much? Lots of me time, music, connecting to nature and outside spaces is also very important.
I definitely am, and I'm still working on how to cope with it. Being an HSP has resulted in trauma that I minimise, which has led to all kinds of issues. I'm correctly working through those, so I'm hopeful that I'll turn my HS nature into an asset.
@amiehvaughan same here. I suppress and suppress anger, trying to process it all internally buy sometimes it comes out and when I does, I feel ashamed. It’s hard for me.
@sarahbkuhn Ya , but then I realise most of our anger is rooted either in feeling hurt or misunderstood . So we feel this urge to put out our love and care , but when the recipient environment or people don't align we tend to lose ourself and get angry . Honestly , for me it is painful to be angry , I feel pain while expressing anger and afterwards too .
I think I am an HSP in many regards but that doesn't have to be a negative thing if we are able to deal with clarity , practicality and rather learn from it . I know it means to have overwhelming moments or phases but it also means you will live a life full of depth and meaning .
Wow I can relate to almost everything you said! It's the first time that's happened to me.
My second biggest nightmare is having to socialize in a big group after having to give a presentation in front a large audience. I hate that, it makes me anxious because I can be really shy and awkward in front of people. I'm already not a huge talker so when I'm in these situations I talk even less. But then, people tend to think that I'm rude, mad or sulky... Just today, I had a colleague asking me if I was okay because I was not talking and zoning out when we were gathered with other colleagues for our break. In my head, I was trying to find a way to jump into the conversation but I didn't know how to tell him that because I was afraid he'd think that that was weird, so I just nodded and said I was okay because it was much easier. When it comes to practical and physical tasks, I know I'm good at my job, but when it comes to social ones I can be a disaster. Like you said, I always have a game face on so I give the impression that I'm composed and serious. Plus, I'm naturally very pragmatic and realistic and I'm always trying to get to the point as fast as possible. My manager once told me that he really relied on me because I didn't let my emotions guide my work. I found that really ironic and funny. Yeah, I always look like I have it together, but I'm a mess internally
I'm not sure if I'm an HSP but I know I'm very sensitive when there's a lot of people around because I feel like I have to pay extra attention to everything and feel even more that I already feel. I don't do well with big crowds : then, I start to feel irritated (even angry at times) and that's when my anxiety kicks in. Since I work in a shop, I'm always surrounded by a lot of clients and it's really no fun for me. The constant noise paired with the commercial aspect of my job which has me talking to dozens of unpleasant clients everyday while putting on the 'business mask on' is really tiring because I feel like I'm always faking it. I've gotten used to it for the most part and can handle it on a daily basis but at the end of 2021, I had a panick attack. It was the holiday season, I was overworked and exhausted. One day, I was doing a task I was assigned which required me to be in the middle of dozens of clients directly surrounding me. At one point, I felt like I was suffocating and I had to isolate myself in a room when there was nobody and take a few minutes to breathe. I wouldn't exactly say I absord the feelings of others but I sympathize with them too much and worry about them and unconsciously try to ease their worries even when I don't know them. When I feel the anxiety coming, I've noticed that listening to music really loud with earphones really help me blocking the millions of thoughts running through my head.
i have that highly sensitive people book in my library, now i do believe it just goes with the infj territory, with me it's overstimulation that comes from too many people around me, smells, sounds, light, & especially tensions i pick up from others.. i'm married to someone with a.d.d. & i'm ocd, we are opposites which is a huge challenge. (that old song add & ocd live together in perfect harmony? NOT. lol) i've heard this difference in personality types referred to as 'room to grow'.. well i'm growing, but i also have stress related ibs & classic migraines with aura that are an ongoing health issues.. being accutely sensitive is a blessing and a curse..
I think it comes with being an INFJ. I tend to absorb the emotions of others a lot and when I do, it's really intense. I get overwhelmed with feelings; I could start crying and then it gets so hard to stop.
I am absolutely an HSP. Not just physically ( sensitive to environmental factors like sounds, smells, and having allergies) but mental/emotional sensitivity. I “connect the dots” of things going on in social and familial situations...when non-infj’s are oblivious to the dynamics in those situations. When it comes to perceiving the dysfunction, dishonesty, deviousness of people in certain work/social/familial situations….it has been a lifelong learning time, for me.
Yes, I believe so, but I am still relatively new to all the terminology. I know the more I learn, the more I feel like I've finally found people who understand, and it's very comforting to know I'm not alone. Sounds are louder for me, I use noise cancelling earbuds at work or I'm listening and processing the 4 conversations going on simultaneously around me following/keeping each one straight and concentrating on my work is next to impossible. I've always appreciated the arts paintings, music, movies, books. Very powerful what can be conveyed. Feel emotions deeply, and particular on taste, touch, and smell. Still learning about dealing with it all. I have a good counselor, who's helping me. My favorite escape lately has been music and dance when space allows for it.
Sometimes that feeling is so intense and it does leave a lasting impression. I’m glad that you all worked through the darkness.
Yes I agree. The worst experience is when I was observing someone having a manic/PTSD moment. I had an uneasy feeling and felt like I had to walk on egg shells around this family member. My body was trembling/shaking from that person’s energy alone. I was comfortable with the situation as I was not in any harm, just there for support, but my body was just absorbing that energy if that makes sense.
Urghhh, def hsp, but never discovered this or understood until just 3/4 years ago. Everything makes sense now. I've adapted to just accepting what I feel and try not to let it overwhelm me, which sadly means shutting off a bit from emotion, otherwise it all can be just too much? Lots of me time, music, connecting to nature and outside spaces is also very important.
I definitely am, and I'm still working on how to cope with it. Being an HSP has resulted in trauma that I minimise, which has led to all kinds of issues. I'm correctly working through those, so I'm hopeful that I'll turn my HS nature into an asset.
I think I am an HSP in many regards but that doesn't have to be a negative thing if we are able to deal with clarity , practicality and rather learn from it . I know it means to have overwhelming moments or phases but it also means you will live a life full of depth and meaning .