January 13 is the day dedicated to all hypersensitive people. Concretely, what does it mean to be hypersensitive? What test should you do to find out? How to manage this hyper-emotionality?
We often say of this or that person (adult or child) that they are hypersensitive. But what is he really hiding behind this term in a psychological sense? Answers with Valérie Grumelin-Halimi, psychologist.
What does “being hypersensitive” mean?
Hypersensitivity is not a disease but a character trait which is manifested by extreme sensitivity to the world that surrounds us. “In hypersensitivity, we mean “sensitivity” and “hyper”. This means that thewe experience things much more intensely than most people and that we are unable to protect ourselves from the emotions of those around us, whether near or far. THE hypersensitive people are very gentle, very refined, and they generally work in creative environments“, comments Valérie Grumelin-Halimi, psychologist. There are different types of hypersensitivity:
► Hypersensitivity emotional Or reacting strongly to emotional stimuli since we understand the world through our emotions. “Feelings and perceptions are increased tenfold. The hypersensitive person is very receptive to what surrounds him, he has a strong emotionality and an great expressiveness“, observes the psychologist.
► Hypersensitivity sensory relates to touch, that is to say that a simple touch can bother the hypersensitive person and affect all their senses. “It’s someone who is “on edge“The slightest subtle touch will sharpen all of his senses.”underlines the specialist.
► Hypersensitivity immediate is triggered immediately while delayed hypersensitivity occurs after the fact. “For example, we watch the news and it takes away our appetite”, comments Valérie Grumelin-Halimi. In delayed hypersensitivity, what affects us will echo a past event buried in sensory memory and thus plunge us back into a kind of depression.
“An emotional sponge”
► Hypersensitivity olfactory reflects extreme sensitivity to odors. “We can walk into a room and smell a smell that we like or dislike because it reminds us of something and makes us relive a period.“, underlines the psychologist.
► Also called hyperacusis, hypersensitivity hearing is characterized by an intolerance to certain sounds. It can be innate or develop following emotional shock or post-traumatic stress.
What is the cause of hypersensitivity?
This personality trait very often comes from education. he can be something that happened in early childhood or even during genesis. “During the intrauterine period, the child spends nine months being an emotional sponge in the mother’s womb. In other words, the mother’s emotions impact the fetus., adds the specialist. Furthermore, thegifted child has extraordinary visual, olfactory, taste, hearing and kinesthetic abilities. He scrutinizes, perceives and analyzes everything down to the smallest detail. His emotional sensitivity is also heightened, he feels things intenselywhich can weaken him in his relationship with others.
What are the characteristics of a hypersensitive person?
We speak more of “characteristics” to define hypersensitivity rather than “symptoms”. A hypersensitive person tends to:
- to be someone delicate and very empathetic with everything that surrounds it.
- take everything for herself, all the touches : the misfortune of some, the misfortune of others.
- be a real emotional sponge: everything makes her happy or everything makes her sad.
- feel like she’s not good enough, she easily questioned
- have difficulty handling criticism (susceptibility) and to rehash the reproaches or reflections that can be made to him.
What test to do?
To validate hypersensitivity, we will evaluate the reactions according to the five senses: hearing, smell, taste, touch and sight. Among the following questions:
- What can’t I stand to watch?
- What can’t I stand to hear?
- What smells can’t I stand?
- What can’t I stand to smell on my body?
“If we realize that there is more than three things that we cannot bear then we are hypersensitive“, specifies the psychologist. But there is no official test specially designed to detect hypersensitivity.
How to treat hypersensitivity?
Hypersensitivity cannot be “cured” in the medical sense of the term since it is not an illness but a character characteristic. Rather, we must learn to live with it. “The best way to learn to manage your hypersensitivity is to consult a psychologist in order to understand where “this knot was formed” and determine if it is traumatic or reflex”, recommends Valérie Grumelin-Halimi. In the meantime, we must start with distance yourself when you feel that you are absorbing emotions of others and that it affects us. We can also self-discipline ourselves by practicing activities that help us better manage our emotions, such as meditation, yoga or even playing sports to relieve stress.
thanks to Valérie Grumelin-Halimipsychologist, author of “I am shy and I use it” published by Guy Trédaniel.