Anxiety VS Over-Stimulation

Two Things psychology knows for sure:

• There is a need and desire for an optimal level of stimulation. We all hate to feel bored or overwhelmed.
• People differ considerably in how much their nervous system is stimulated in the same situations.        

Sensitive’s pick up on the subtleties in the environment that others miss and so we naturally arrive more quickly at stimulation overload. It is important to not confuse a stimulated / alert nervous system with fear or anxiety. Stimulation is anything that wakes up or alerts the nervous system  AND

Isn't Everyone Sensitive?

Isn't everyone sensitive? This question gets asked whenever I speak about the trait of high sensitivity.

• The action of being sensitive means being understanding and aware - which certainly any healthy person can be. For instance, one might notice you shivering and offer to get you a sweater.

• Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) means being born with a finely tuned nervous system (think: My Favorite Martian's antenna's) which creates greater receptivity to all forms of stimulation.  An HSP may feel, hear, sense, notice things much sooner than a less neurologically tuned friend.  

• Since sensitivity is something an HSP is born with, and our world is tuned for our less sensitive brethren, we often have to spend a lot of energy to try and fit in (hide, mask...) to this vastly over-stimulating world. This can create emotional, relational and physical challenges and the pain of these challenges are usually what brings someone to search for help - and find me!