Are you sensitive?
 

Someone mentioned something in another thread and it got me thinking about this subject.

I am sensitive... about EVERYTHING.

I am food sensitive... If I haven't eaten a food in awhile, no matter what it is, my stomach reacts. I am very dairy sensitive, artificial sweetener sensitive, I've tested sensitive (not allergic) to two of my favorite foods, soy and tomatoes.

I'm skin sensitive... when I had my allergy tests, my whole back swelled up from the scratches, not because I was allergic to everything but because my skin is so sensitive to touch. It's called photodermia I think and it basically means "you can draw a picture on the skin". When I work out, my skin stays bright red for an hour afterwards. People always ask if I'm sunburnt. And when I wear clothes that touches my skin (i.e. most) I get these little irrational welts all over. (awesome!)

I'm emotionally sensitive... Dude, I take EVERYTHING personally. I read about this teenage phenomenon where teenagers believe they are constantly on a stage and everyone is watching them.. I still feel that way. I'm 27.

Other ways I'm sensitive: I'm a very light sleeper. I'm a great read of people, especially when people are lying or withholding information. I take every compliment and criticism home and analyze it.

I just think it's amazing how being emotionally sensitive carries over into being physically sensitive and vice versa.

Anyone else sensitive? All around or just in certain areas?

Originally Posted by joyra:
Someone mentioned something in another thread and it got me thinking about this subject.

I am sensitive... about EVERYTHING.

I am food sensitive... If I haven't eaten a food in awhile, no matter what it is, my stomach reacts. I am very dairy sensitive, artificial sweetener sensitive, I've tested sensitive (not allergic) to two of my favorite foods, soy and tomatoes.

I'm skin sensitive... when I had my allergy tests, my whole back swelled up from the scratches, not because I was allergic to everything but because my skin is so sensitive to touch. It's called photodermia I think and it basically means "you can draw a picture on the skin". When I work out, my skin stays bright red for an hour afterwards. People always ask if I'm sunburnt. And when I wear clothes that touches my skin (i.e. most) I get these little irrational welts all over. (awesome!)

I'm emotionally sensitive... Dude, I take EVERYTHING personally. I read about this teenage phenomenon where teenagers believe they are constantly on a stage and everyone is watching them.. I still feel that way. I'm 27.

Other ways I'm sensitive: I'm a very light sleeper. I'm a great read of people, especially when people are lying or withholding information. I take every compliment and criticism home and analyze it.

I just think it's amazing how being emotionally sensitive carries over into being physically sensitive and vice versa.

Anyone else sensitive? All around or just in certain areas?

YES!!!!!
When I mentioned I was "sensitive" to certain foods (namely cow's milk) my boyfriend rolled his eyes and said "well of course you are". Meaning, I am sensitive to EVERYTHING you just listed above!!

I'm sensitive to noise and too much stimulation too - if I'm at a party or dinner or something, I often go to the bathroom just to be by myself in a quiet space.

I think they call it a "highly sensitive personality". I roll my eyes at it too - but it's true!! I hate it actually.....

~CGH~

I'm food sensitive, especially with dairy, things made out of corn (like sun chips or taco shells). I'm also a light sleeper.

I'm very emotionally sensitive. I get my feelings hurt very easily.

My sinuses are very sensitive. It's getting to where I can't go out to eat in restaurants because people wear cologne and I can't breathe.

Originally Posted by Layri:
I sound pretty numb to the world compared to the rest of you guys, haha... I'm sensitive to nickel, so if I wear rings with nickel my finger will turn green/blue, if I wear a necklace with nickel I will get a rash on my neck, or if I wear earrings containing nickel my earlobes will start bleeding. But that's about it.. No food allergies, I'm not emotionally sensitive, etc.

Generally I don't like being sensitive! I guess there's some things I like, such as being highly attuned to my surroundings, I read people and situations well and I notice small details.. but mostly being sensitive is a burden! I wish I could eat anything, sleep anyone, accept criticism, etc.

Originally Posted by joyra:
Generally I don't like being sensitive! I guess there's some things I like, such as being highly attuned to my surroundings, I read people and situations well and I notice small details.. but mostly being sensitive is a burden! I wish I could eat anything, sleep anyone, accept criticism, etc.

Ahh, from that it definitely seems like a burden, so I'm grateful that I only have jewelry to worry about. :p Though I would like to be more aware of my surroundings(environmentally sensitive I suppose?), in public places especially I'm usually off in my own world. So being sensitive does have its ups and downs in the end, eh? :)

I'm not sensitive... in any way shape or fashion. I don't take things personally (and my downfall) I don't expect others to take offense or be sensitive. I'm almost cold hearted in a way. I don't get emotional during TOM. I guess the only sensitive thing about me is my two front teeth, they can be sensitive.

:) Jewel has a song ... So please be careful with me, I'm sensitive, and I'd like to stay that way.

Yep, I am sensitive. When I was little I loved going to my great-grandma's house because it was so quiet you could hear the clocks tick. With four kids in our household it was bedlam noisy. I couldn't stand it. I never liked the raucous rock-n-roll my friends were listening to as a teen...I tended to melodic folk.

One of my friends and I used to challenge one another to tears...see who could talk about something sad and make one another cry. I had a small circle of loyal friends...I just could not do the catty, cliquey thing. I was too sensitive to the feelings of others.

As a little kid teasing sent me into a fury of crying.

Food allergies-dairy, wheat and who knows what else!

I sleep with one of those soft, velour type blankets between myself and the covers...so soft and soothing.

A pack of loud teen boys at my house sends me fleeing to the shelter of my room.

I had to find another quiet, sensitive person to live my life with. And, luckily I found him in my DH!
Sheri

Ahh, yes, I am sensitive in a lot of ways. I hold things that are important to me very close to my heart... It's either at a distance (for me) or close to my heart... nothing in between.
I'm very sensitive about animals and animal abuse.
My teeth are sensitive.
I'm sensitive to dairy since I gave it up almost a year ago.
I'm very sensitive to smells, like scented lotions on my hands I can NOT handle, or strong perfume or those scent things that plug into the wall, or strong scented hand soap.
I'm sensitive to people's comments at times, but tend to miss subtly in people's comments.
I'm taken aback by crowds and will also find a quiet place to recharge (bathroom, bedroom, car)

I wish I was less sensitive, most of the time...

I think there is a sensitive temperament. My younger son is sensitive, too. And he has been like that since he was a small child, as was I. He was the snuggliest little baby and cuddled everything; he was the Linus of the family (dragging his security blanket around). He cried easily and has always needed a lot of privacy. As a teen, he doesn't blast the music and he is soft-spoken and introverted. He used to hum when he ate, like the food was creating a symphony in his mouth or something!

He also has allergies as I have. And, I am with all of you about the smells things. Perfumes or scented things can give me a raging headache. Certain stores, like the Body Shop, hurt my head just walking by them.

I am also allegic to MSG and it gives me migraines. It is the only food I have found that does, and I really try to avoid it, but sometimes it is hidden in foods. The rainbowy visual scintillations before an MSG headache are kinda fun, but not when you're driving!

Mohair, angora and really wooly sweaters can drive my to distraction with itchiness (although not all) it seems to depend upon how the fabric is processed.

And, as someone else said, I am also a very light sleeper. All the elements have got to be just right for me to sleep well.

I am wondering if this sensitivity is unusual, or everyone is like this to some degree. I have always felt "different" because I need to go hide somewhere at really big events. I have never felt comfortable in huge crowds as some of you have also stated. My social discomfort at big parties etc. has been a real stumbling block to relationships in the past, especially if the other person in the relationship was much more outgoing. Interesting!

Sheri

Originally Posted by Quixotica:

Mohair, angora and really wooly sweaters can drive my to distraction with itchiness (although not all) it seems to depend upon how the fabric is processed.

And, as someone else said, I am also a very light sleeper. All the elements have got to be just right for me to sleep well.

I am wondering if this sensitivity is unusual, or everyone is like this to some degree. I have always felt "different" because I need to go hide somewhere at really big events. I have never felt comfortable in huge crowds as some of you have also stated. My social discomfort at big parties etc. has been a real stumbling block to relationships in the past, especially if the other person in the relationship was much more outgoing. Interesting!

Sheri

Yes me too, I can't wear any kind of wool, cashmere type sweaters they drive me crazy with the itchy feeling. same with any tags on the back of my shirts or pants.

As for the "go and hide" feeling, that's exactly what i was trying to describe when I said I go to the bathroom a lot while at parties, etc., to collect myself and get away from the over stimulation.

Same with malls - I can take about a hour of them and then it just gets too much.

It's all just too much sometimes!!!

And I wish I wasn't like this.....

PS - when I re-read my posts I sound like the most annoying person to be around ever! LOL.

~CGH~

i am incredibly emotionally sensitive, but i don't show it.

my skin is very sensitive, too. it sucks. :(

Me too, joining the sensitive club here. There's a book about Sensitive people in relationships. But it's not just that, it's my skin, so sensitive, my tummy, what I eat... there's some book I read about personality types using Eastern wisdom, this sensitive type, needs lots of quiet time, comfort food, soft music, etc to be balanced - not over doing with hard core exercise better with walking, meditation, yoga etc. Might find my notes from that book again because I adopted some of the ideas- like in the am I like a quiet bath to start my day and don't operate as well rushed and hurried.

Hm. Interesting subject. I think I'm a weird combination of sensitive and not - emotionally/mentally speaking.

I'm a very direct person (heh!) and I can't stand it when someone asks for advice or an opinion and then gets upset or bent because they get a direct answer. I consider honesty and direct, clear speaking to be a priority and a character value. I respect it in other people and I cultivate it in myself. I don't have a lot of patience for what I consider to be excessive emotional sensitivity.

OTOH, I strive really hard to be sensitive to other cultures and belief systems. I got trashed by some fellow professionals one time because I said that a business should never send out Christmas cards - to be respectful to those clients/vendors who might not celebrate Christmas. Instead, my business sends out New Years cards, wishing my clients and vendors a happy and successful New Year. Although I am not religious myself, I do accept that others do have a religious faith and try to respect that (although I hate being preached to or prayed for).

As far as physical sensitivities, honestly I can't think of any that I have. I have a molar that's a bit sensitive right now and I need to get to the dentist about that (*grin*) but other than that, I'm not really the sensitive type, I guess.

.

I'm emotionally sensitive. My feelings are easily hurt.

I've never thought to connect physical sensitivity to emotional sensitivity, but now that I'm reading through these posts, it does seem to go together. As far as physical sensitivity, my list is similar to many already listed: lactose intolerant, garlic causes migraines, perfumes, soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, make-ups, wool itches unbearably, can't wear mohair or angora, and on and on and on. But, i'm also one who cries at commercials and every movie I see and also have the tendency to take comments of others very personally (I'm learning to get over that one).

I'm also realizing that one of our sons is very similar-no allergies, but wants a furry, soft blanket (and he's 12!) and only certain clothing and he'll also cry at the drop of a hat. We laugh because we both look at each other during the sad parts of movies to see who will start crying first-lol!

Very interesting subject!

I am!!!
 

:o you just described me!!! I have irritable bowel syndrome, pale sensitive skin that is quick to burn, break out, rash, ANYTHING! I am known for over analyzing. Actually when I was a baby the doctors called me "hypersensitive" lol. I screamed and cried all the time. Mom says I grew up to be a great toddler and a good kid though :D I can definitely take most criticism now, but I find that I'm much more irritable than I used to be. I'm generally a sweet, happy, thoughtful person but I'm also quick to get that flash of irritation and impatience, more so than others I think. I'm working on that...:lol:

Wow, I'm glad I brought this subject up and thanks everything for answering. You're all making me a) feel like I'm even more sensitive than I realized and b) feel like I'm not totally alone.

Many of you have brought up other things too that I'm really sensitive about: tags in clothing, certain fits and fibers, I feel like crying whenever the slightest bit of emotional music starts playing and I also feel like crying when there's a thunderous applause... isn't that strange? I can't wear makeup like foundation, I find it itchy and suffocating. I also can't be hurried... if I have a day where I am going from wake up to bedtime I feel panicky. I need time to sit and process the day. I am consequently not very productive for my need to analyze everything.

I like this idea of a sensitive personality type because it makes me think about how I approach my goals and obstacles (oh, overanalyzing again!). I think about the mood swings I have and how I approach my relationships. I'd really like to try to get over some of the emotional stuff (and the physical stuff, but how?). Anyways, I think I just need to work with my sensitivities, emotional and physical instead of trying to change them. Like when I found out I have this skin sensitivity, I felt kind of relieved like... there's nothing to fix. It's just how I am.

Originally Posted by joyra:
I feel like crying whenever the slightest bit of emotional music starts playing and I also feel like crying when there's a thunderous applause... isn't that strange?

YES!!!! ME too!! Also, I was walking across the bridge last week on a BEAUTIFUL day and looking at the snow-capped mountains and listening to a great song on my iPod and my chest started to get tight and tears in my eyes just because of how amazingly beautiful it was. The beauty was overwhelming.

Now see, I just got tears in my eyes TYPING that paragraph. *sigh* I'm hopeless :D

A question for you all, because I noticed another poster mentioning irritation.

How many of the people who consider themselves highly sensitive have a problem with major irritation all the time? Just curious.

~CGH~

I kept getting all sorts of rashes and stuff...turns out I'm allergic to 3 different types of chemical preservatives. They were in my cosmetics, toothpaste, contact solution, mouthwash, lotion---EVERYTHING. ...Believe me, I know how much it sucks to have sensitive skin. I'm very, very fair skinned--really white. I have roseacea and just about everything else wrong with me.

I'm also allergic to milk--get hives. I'm allergic to the cold too, believe it or not. I break out into hives and swell up just walking to my car!!!

Originally Posted by choirgirlhotel:
A question for you all, because I noticed another poster mentioning irritation.

How many of the people who consider themselves highly sensitive have a problem with major irritation all the time? Just curious.

Irritation like... skin or irritation like... getting crabby?

I guess my answer to both is YES. My skin is irritated many times a day by everything.. shaving, my clothes, sitting too long, sweating. And I am an easily irritated person... My boyfriend annoys me, my co-workers annoy me, everything annoys me! But also being analytical I tend to think "WHY is this bothering me?" and I do a lot of self-therapy and move on fairly quickly... however not without a snap or two at my boyfriend or a scowl at work. Ugh. I wish on both accounts I was more laidback and adaptable.

I am the definition of sensitive unfortunately. I cry when I see someone happy, I cry when someone is sad...weddings, movies, inspiring...commercials??? If my fiance pokes too many jokes at me I cry, which really bothers me cause he feels super guilty and grouchy...

Thankfully skin wise and such I'm not too bad. Perfumes and powders kill my allergies. :(

Anyone wanna de-sensitize me?

Originally Posted by joyra:
And I am an easily irritated person... My boyfriend annoys me, my co-workers annoy me, everything annoys me!

you and I are twins! :hug:

yes, I meant irritation like crabby irritated.