National Hypersensitivity Day

One of the greatest difficulties encountered by hypersensitive people is the judgmental gaze cast upon them.

Cozy, weak, sensitive, whiny… The vocabulary used around this word clearly shows the cold point of view that society can have when it comes to emotional expression.

Since 2019, the term hypersensitive has been talked about; implying a reduction of guilt and awareness of the emotional values that people may have about themselves and/or those around them.

"Who am I? Why am I like this? Am I normal?"…

All these questions imply that it is essential to realize that these questions are not born from the character trait in question, but from the image that society in general reflects. Basically, beyond the difficulty of living with this emotional overflow, it is the judgment of others and therefore the judgment of oneself that weighs.

Protecting yourself from the gaze of others, learning to get rid of the imposed social image is one of the first steps towards self-acceptance and therefore, towards a better experience of your hypersensitivity.

You read that right. Hypersensitivity is not specified in the DSM because it is not a disease, it is not pathological: it is indeed a character trait.

Helen Aaron speaks of “temperament” but many other psychologists are beginning to disagree and therefore deconstruct her ideas which seem to be quite shaky and contradictory.

Furthermore, Helen Aaron would have created a self-questionnaire which would not measure hypersensitivity, even if the title indicates this idea it remains more on a basis of sensitivity.

Let's not forget that this questionnaire is a self-questionnaire, which implies that the Barnum effect will undoubtedly be present.

The Barnum Effect is a cognitive bias (as well as a manipulation technique) that leads an individual to view a general, vague description of personality traits as specifically applying to their own personality.

The inevitable consequence of this fairly well-known questionnaire is that people suffering from various pathologies, difficulties or disorders are not treated or diagnosed. Such as phobias, anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolarity, ADHD, etc. or will leave aside patterns to work on such as the fear of abandonment or even a hidden affective dependence. On an organic level, people can experience symptoms similar to hypersensitivity for people with sleep disorders, thyroid, a menstruation disorder which will precisely influence emotions.

It is therefore important to consult a professional and establish a real diagnosis beforehand.

Commonly, it is said that women are more sensitive than men. 

However, feeling is inherent to humans, whatever their gender; and the same goes for excess emotions. Unfortunately, sensitivity is associated with a feminine trait, and not always for the better.

We can assure you that men are also affected by this salient character trait. Due to this society which imposes “male virility”, the hypersensitive character of men can be censored on their own in an attempt to blend in with the crowd. 

What is important here is to deconstruct stereotypes because feeling is at the heart of human functioning.

In hypersensitive people, sensations and emotions are increased tenfold. However, contrary to what one might suppose, the sense organs do not have higher faculties. Your five senses are particularly reactive and sensitive: it is more particularly a lack of (latent) inhibition of external stimuli. You perceive stimuli that escape most people and it is even common for sensory manifestations from the environment to become overwhelming. You have neither the visual acuity of a lynx nor the keen sense of smell of a dog!

The uniqueness of hypersensitive people results from more efficient, multiple information processing and greater brain activation during sensory stimulation. You can have fun trying to see through this questionnaire if you have this super power.

“Hypersensitive or not, this does not need to be a label that guides a person's life. Hypersensitive or not, it is always possible to work on your self-confidence, on your self-affirmationi, on communication assertive, self-determination Hypersensitivity should not be an end in itself, it should not be a hindrance in your life, but a strength.

“I’m anxious because I’m hypersensitive.” 

It is always possible to change one's beliefs in order to detach ourselves from fears and patterns that poison our lives.
Follow-up with a psychologist can lead you to a healthier daily life and lead you to instill a mantra, self-motivation that can last for as long as YOU want.
Whether through relaxation, hypnosis, mindfulness meditation, EMDR or cognitive-behavioral therapy, there are many ways but it is important that you find the alternative therapy that suits you.

VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy), helps to expose the person gradually – and safely – to different types of environments. This will allow you to work on your difficulties in virtuo, before the exposure in reality.

A therapy that is intended to be beneficial and respectful of each person's development."