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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Eggy on October 2, 2003, at 1:31:01
My therapist says it is like a super sensitivity to the things that happen around you that other people don't notice. Like small earthquakes. Super silent sounds. Stuff like that. I think one of us may be crazy.
Posted by justyourlaugh on October 2, 2003, at 20:56:20
In reply to Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Eggy on October 2, 2003, at 1:31:01
hi,,
i just read an article about that,,and how it relates to bpd...
i think this sensitivity is a gift,,think about all those unlucky people around the world that could care less....
jyl
Posted by Eggy on October 2, 2003, at 21:10:18
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive? » Eggy, posted by justyourlaugh on October 2, 2003, at 20:56:20
What is it actually called so I can look it up?
where is that article?
I need info!
You are so good Justyourlaugh!
Posted by Donna Louise on October 7, 2003, at 15:54:27
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Eggy on October 2, 2003, at 21:10:18
I need to know more too! This is a huge problem with me. I am put in the bed by road kill for example. I wouldn't trade it though, it feels spiritual in a soul crushing kind of way.
Donna
Posted by Eggy on October 7, 2003, at 18:02:31
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Donna Louise on October 7, 2003, at 15:54:27
I have always dreamt of people before they die. They are always sitting at the head of this long table full of people. I have done it so long that now I don't tell anyone when I have these dreams. No one believed me at first. Then it freaked them out.
I sometimes meet someone and know they are going to pass away soon. It is a weird feeling. When I first met my husbands step father I told my husband he had cancer. He didn't at the time but 3 years later he died of malignant melanoma.
I didn't know it was called asensitive until my new therapist casually mentioned it. Now I cannot find any info at all on it.
I still feel like a freak.
Posted by Noni on March 28, 2004, at 6:32:46
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Eggy on October 7, 2003, at 18:02:31
I have no idea what a-sensitive is, but I need somewhere to post this query, and perhaps it sort of fits in.
This is going to sound really very bizarre, but when I was younger (child to mid/late teens)I felt very strongly for people, animals, and inanimate objects. Photographs, too. In fact, whenever I had a photograph of someone, it felt strongly as if they were in the room and I imagined that they saw and heard every word and if anyone said anything bad about them, it cut me to the core because I imagined how hurt they would be.
When my sister threw a toy across the room or rejected and criticised a particular toy or object, I got this great pain in my heart and felt very protective of whatever it was that had been rejected. This was such a powerful feeling that I actually told people that I 'had feelings for things' in an effort to get them to treat things with a bit more respect and because I felt so uncomfortable when they didn't. It then led to quite cruel teasing from my sister and then on to nervous tics, many of which involved feeling a strong compulsion to stroke whatever item had been rejected or criticised. These feelings have lessened over the years, but they still linger in little ways. I'm wondering if this is - well, not normal, but if it rings a bell with anyone. A psychic once told me that I was 'so, so too sensitive' and I'm wondering if she was referring to that, as she was bang on about so many other things. Perhaps it's just my transferring my own fear of rejection on to other things. I'm so embarrassed about it as an adult, that I haven't even told my therapist. However, she recently asked me to buy a doll and cut the doll instead of myself whenever I feel like self-harming, and that suggestion appalls me so much that I wonder if I really have grown out of my 'feelings for things'. Is it something worth bringing up with my therapist, do you think?Does anyone else recognise any of these feelings, or am I really nuts?
Noni
Posted by fallsfall on March 28, 2004, at 8:33:07
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Noni on March 28, 2004, at 6:32:46
You sound like a very caring person. Yes, I would talk to your therapist about it. It sounds like one of those things that can help you be an outstandingly wonderful person, but that could also cause you a lot of pain. Your therapist should be able to help you sort that out.
Posted by Donna Louise on March 28, 2004, at 20:15:47
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Noni on March 28, 2004, at 6:32:46
> I have no idea what a-sensitive is, but I need somewhere to post this query, and perhaps it sort of fits in.
>
> This is going to sound really very bizarre, but when I was younger (child to mid/late teens)I felt very strongly for people, animals, and inanimate objects. Photographs, too. In fact, whenever I had a photograph of someone, it felt strongly as if they were in the room and I imagined that they saw and heard every word and if anyone said anything bad about them, it cut me to the core because I imagined how hurt they would be.
> When my sister threw a toy across the room or rejected and criticised a particular toy or object, I got this great pain in my heart and felt very protective of whatever it was that had been rejected. This was such a powerful feeling that I actually told people that I 'had feelings for things' in an effort to get them to treat things with a bit more respect and because I felt so uncomfortable when they didn't. It then led to quite cruel teasing from my sister and then on to nervous tics, many of which involved feeling a strong compulsion to stroke whatever item had been rejected or criticised. These feelings have lessened over the years, but they still linger in little ways. I'm wondering if this is - well, not normal, but if it rings a bell with anyone. A psychic once told me that I was 'so, so too sensitive' and I'm wondering if she was referring to that, as she was bang on about so many other things. Perhaps it's just my transferring my own fear of rejection on to other things. I'm so embarrassed about it as an adult, that I haven't even told my therapist. However, she recently asked me to buy a doll and cut the doll instead of myself whenever I feel like self-harming, and that suggestion appalls me so much that I wonder if I really have grown out of my 'feelings for things'. Is it something worth bringing up with my therapist, do you think?
>
> Does anyone else recognise any of these feelings, or am I really nuts?
>
> NoniWell Noni, I can relate very well to how you feel. I cannot see a stuffed animal without getting an attack of grief. A good illustration of my condition or whatever it is, when I was about 7, a neighborhood boy was lighting little toy soldiers and horses on fire and launching them into the river. I waded out and saved them all (it was a really gross river). Seeing a dead animal on the side of the road can put me in the bed. If I am not taking my meds (I think I am over that stage of thinking I can do without them) I will cry passing a field of doomed cows. Now, I do not have these same feeling for people. I do have alot of compassion but not this weird grief that I have for animals, alive and stuffed. I don't know what to make of it other than just being overly sensitive. I have also given up trying to unmask some horrible repressed memory. I just can't come up with one. I am getting pretty comfortable with just accepting that is who I am. It is a great comfort knowing I am not alone.
Donna
Posted by Noni on March 29, 2004, at 8:43:27
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive? » Noni, posted by Donna Louise on March 28, 2004, at 20:15:47
Fallsfall and Donna Louise, thank you so much for responding. I really thought I was just weird; good to know that other people have similar feelings, and good to hear that it suggests I'm caring as opposed to just odd. I think I will speak to my therapist about it as cutting the doll bothers me (aside from all the witchcaft associations I have with that!).
Interesting that you mention the doomed animals, Donna Louise, as my heart breaks when animals get hurt. They say we Brits care more about our animals than our children. I wouldn't know about that, but I really felt waves of guilt last year when I saw all the atrocities in 'The Rape of Nanking' and couldn't cry but I was deeply affected by the death of a leopard in a film I'd seen earlier in the week. I thought this made me really callous. Yes, stuffed animals still get to me, too. I wonder why. Perhaps they get to everyone, but people don't want to admit it...
Posted by Donna Louise on March 29, 2004, at 21:32:58
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Noni on March 29, 2004, at 8:43:27
> Fallsfall and Donna Louise, thank you so much for responding. I really thought I was just weird; good to know that other people have similar feelings, and good to hear that it suggests I'm caring as opposed to just odd. I think I will speak to my therapist about it as cutting the doll bothers me (aside from all the witchcaft associations I have with that!).
>
> Interesting that you mention the doomed animals, Donna Louise, as my heart breaks when animals get hurt. They say we Brits care more about our animals than our children. I wouldn't know about that, but I really felt waves of guilt last year when I saw all the atrocities in 'The Rape of Nanking' and couldn't cry but I was deeply affected by the death of a leopard in a film I'd seen earlier in the week. I thought this made me really callous. Yes, stuffed animals still get to me, too. I wonder why. Perhaps they get to everyone, but people don't want to admit it...I am the same way, there are movies I must avoid due to bad things happening to animals but not so if it is bad things happening to people. (However, I am not going to subject myself to the new Jesus movie either!) I have to be really protective of myself as these things can cause a crashing depression. I hate that the SSRI's numb my feelings but that is what is called for to keep me out of the bed. So I can function. Otherwise I just cry all the time. Even with the meds I must be very careful as to what I am exposed to. My friends all know not to tell me any bad animal stories. I wonder if anyone else out there has any ideas about this? Now, here I go again, wondering how crazy this is!
Donna
Posted by platinumbride on March 30, 2004, at 4:53:31
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive? » Noni, posted by Donna Louise on March 28, 2004, at 20:15:47
I always had feelings like this when I was younger...
Now they are gone...And I wonder why I have become so desensitized - so de-humanized when I was once compassionate to a fault.
I guess there are several ways of looking at what is being described here. Now I am feeling great nostalgia for the days when I was more as you are describing....
Diane
Posted by inthegloaming on April 1, 2004, at 8:36:47
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Noni on March 28, 2004, at 6:32:46
noni--
that's so strange you should mention that... i had feelings like that when i was younger. it happened after my mum died (i was quite little). i was afraid inatimate objects would feel bad if they weren't given the proper attention. i attached emotions and actions to things that obviously had none--rocks, food, etc. i remember this very clearly, remember feeling a terrible sense of guilt if i did not come through for the objects.
some of it still stays. i am 20 years old and still sleep with a stuffed animal curled in my arm for comfort. at school, it's a black cat puppet. at home, it's a little cat i've had since i was six years old--can you tell i'm a kitty fan?
funny, i thought it was the only one with bizarro object transferrence... glad to know i'm not.
Posted by Joslynn on April 1, 2004, at 9:02:13
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by inthegloaming on April 1, 2004, at 8:36:47
I can't believe I missed this thread.
Yes I have a sympathy for stuffed animals. And If I feel rejected, like if soneone breaks up with me or even stops calling, I have to sleep with a teddy bear. It's not like I own a whole collection, I just have one or two in my apartment. But the thought of any stuffed animal or doll being thrown away bothers me (except for a Chuckie doll, LOL).
I can't watch any animal cruelty stories on the news either.
What about plants? I get sad when plants die and cannot bring myself to throw out a plant, unless it is completely dead. I wanted to throw out this kind of ugly, misshapen plant I rescued from work and brought home, but I just couldn't do it. I was walking to the garbage shed with it in my hand, then I stopped in my tracks, brought it back upstairs to my apartment and put it back in its spot. I wonder if that is because I used to work with plants for a part time job? I like to rescue plants, even ugly ones.
Posted by Donna Louise on April 1, 2004, at 11:08:29
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Joslynn on April 1, 2004, at 9:02:13
I still sleep with my stuffed horse from childhood and I am 50 years old. And married. eeks. I have the thing with the plants too. I have never met anyone else like this before. I was sure I was the only one.
Donna
Posted by Noni on April 2, 2004, at 7:15:43
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by inthegloaming on April 1, 2004, at 8:36:47
I'm so relieved that there are other people out there with similar feelings. I have never talked about this as an adult as it seemed too off the wall and I think I got teased for it as a child.
It's interesting that you mention it in connection with your mother's death, inthegloaming, as I wondered what could possibly have sparked off these feelings and my brother died when I was four. It doesn't compare, I imagine, with losing your mother, as my brother only lived a day and I can't remember anything about it other than the excitement at his birth, and then nothing. I have a lot of fear of losing people, and was convinced as a child that my parents were going to die any day. It was the biggest pain I have ever felt. Perhaps the death sparked off this deep need to take care of things. Who knows. It's not an area I have explored much, and I'm not going to bore the pants off everyone by exploring it here, but wondered if that might have resonance for you, too.
I'm a bit the same with plants, too. But that's more of a regret and guilt thing.
My therapist recommends getting and 'self-harming' a doll from a second hand shop as it is cheaper, but I couldn't bear to do that knowing the doll was probably much loved and slept in someone's bed once upon a time. Is that weird?
Thanks for posting.
> noni--
>
> that's so strange you should mention that... i had feelings like that when i was younger. it happened after my mum died (i was quite little). i was afraid inatimate objects would feel bad if they weren't given the proper attention. i attached emotions and actions to things that obviously had none--rocks, food, etc. i remember this very clearly, remember feeling a terrible sense of guilt if i did not come through for the objects.
>
> some of it still stays. i am 20 years old and still sleep with a stuffed animal curled in my arm for comfort. at school, it's a black cat puppet. at home, it's a little cat i've had since i was six years old--can you tell i'm a kitty fan?
>
> funny, i thought it was the only one with bizarro object transferrence... glad to know i'm not.
Posted by Fallen4myT on April 2, 2004, at 18:24:40
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Joslynn on April 1, 2004, at 9:02:13
Lol this is a cool thread I dont get to all of them but I read these all and man I fit in here...I thought I was just odd and never mentioned it to anyone
> I can't believe I missed this thread.
>
> Yes I have a sympathy for stuffed animals. And If I feel rejected, like if soneone breaks up with me or even stops calling, I have to sleep with a teddy bear. It's not like I own a whole collection, I just have one or two in my apartment. But the thought of any stuffed animal or doll being thrown away bothers me (except for a Chuckie doll, LOL).
>
> I can't watch any animal cruelty stories on the news either.
>
> What about plants? I get sad when plants die and cannot bring myself to throw out a plant, unless it is completely dead. I wanted to throw out this kind of ugly, misshapen plant I rescued from work and brought home, but I just couldn't do it. I was walking to the garbage shed with it in my hand, then I stopped in my tracks, brought it back upstairs to my apartment and put it back in its spot. I wonder if that is because I used to work with plants for a part time job? I like to rescue plants, even ugly ones.
>
>
Posted by sexylexy on April 4, 2004, at 0:23:18
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive? » Joslynn, posted by Fallen4myT on April 2, 2004, at 18:24:40
Ya'll!!
It's like ESP. I have had those feelings all my life, I hate to see anything rejected.. a plant, stuffed animal anything. That is so strange that this post was on going. I actually looked over here to see if there was anything about sensitivity. I have it for plants, animals and people... I guess that is why I am becoming a therapist!
Also, I have noticed that since I have become depressed (from a birth control pill)I have been hyper sensitive to things people say to me. Like my poor boyfriend, everything he says to me I feel he is tryng to give me like a syblemial (sp??) message which is 100% not the case. I just started seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist and am taking 20mg of lexapro... does this ever go away... I don't mind having a big heart for others but wish I would toughen back up a bit for myself... does anyone relate!
God Bless,
Lexy
Posted by Fallen4myT on April 4, 2004, at 0:33:29
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by sexylexy on April 4, 2004, at 0:23:18
Mine hasn't gone away..as far as plants, and some stuffed toys and all...they are not in the house but in boxes in the garage...and not in truck loads or anything lol...but it has lessened some as far as hurting the ugly plants "feelings" and all..and I REALLY DO know they do not FEEL like humans but ....loopy stuff ya know...Your birth control issues....that being overly sensitive to words etc from the s/o is more hormonal and you would be wise to see an endocrinologist not just an ob/gyn or gp.....TILL I read this thread I never spoke of this stuff thought it was ,,just me
Posted by jdgjdg on April 5, 2004, at 22:22:39
In reply to Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Eggy on October 2, 2003, at 1:31:01
This does exist. I don't think you are crazy. I experience this as well. I hear things that are super quiet, am super sensitive to light, touch and pain. People like this generally have sensitive stomaches, sensitive emotions, sensitive skin, etc. It's almost like we have a heightened awareness of the world around us and of ourselves. One thing you might want to mention to your therapist or think about. I also have bipolar disorder. When I am manic, I am incredibly sensitive to everything around me. I just can't tolerate any sounds, sights or touch from other people. Just a thought. Jenn
Posted by Noni on April 7, 2004, at 12:52:48
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by jdgjdg on April 5, 2004, at 22:22:39
It's interesting you mention a heightened sensitivity to sound etc. I'm not bi-polar (I don't understand much about bi-polar disorder but enough to know that I lack the manic episodes of it). However, I do hate noise - it makes me want to run away and hide my head in a dark place - and my eyes are so sensitive to sunlight I have to wear sunglasses if the sun is out at all. As for touch, when I am depressed I don't want to be in contact (physical or mental ore emotional) with anyone. It even extends to not wanting to eat or drink because I don't want the contact with the food or drink. It comes and goes.
Noni.This does exist. I don't think you are crazy. I experience this as well. I hear things that are super quiet, am super sensitive to light, touch and pain. People like this generally have sensitive stomaches, sensitive emotions, sensitive skin, etc. It's almost like we have a heightened awareness of the world around us and of ourselves. One thing you might want to mention to your therapist or think about. I also have bipolar disorder. When I am manic, I am incredibly sensitive to everything around me. I just can't tolerate any sounds, sights or touch from other people. Just a thought. Jenn
Posted by eggy on April 7, 2004, at 16:58:28
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by Noni on April 7, 2004, at 12:52:48
I have read everyone's posts. But after reading Noni's post I had to reply. I too experience the same things as all of you do. When I started this post the subject matter was a totally different set of encounters that I was researching. I have not post in here for a long time. I tried cutting all ties with the world hoping I would emerge a new person. Guess what. It didn't work! But anyway....I am so semsitive to touch that no one is allowed to touch me. My kids give me kisses and bedtime hugs. My husband is allowed "some contact" hehe. My best friend pokes me just to get me all riled up. Sound! Oh a biggie. 3 kids and a husband who plays electric guitar. Luckily I have my computer room room that allows a quick hide away. Stuffed animals and dolls...I can stand the thought of them being boxed up, or put in bags where they cannot breath. I tried to revive a dead cactus for 2 months until it turned to slime and looked like a raisin. I don't go in public because of the many many sounds that no one else hears that bombard my head like a big bass drum. Food...most of the time I convince myself it is contaminated just so I will NOT eat it. 3 years in therapy weekly. 6 meds. And the world still haunts me. I love all of your post. Knowing my feelings are similiar to others does make it easier. My DX are Borderline personality, Bi-Polar, PTSD and agoraphobia. But there is hope. My husband who swore off dogs came home with a tiny white puppy the other day. I love to groom her and get puppy kisses. I find myself in other rooms of the house playing with her. I never used to roam the house freely. Maybe it just takes a tiny bit of innocent love and peeceful puppy kisses to make the ball start rolling. Thank You again. Eggy and puppy Cricket.
Posted by noa on April 8, 2004, at 9:00:36
In reply to Re: Has anyone heard of a-sensitive?, posted by eggy on April 7, 2004, at 16:58:28
I am sensitive to sound. First of all, I am rather auditorily distractible--I cannot concentrate well if there is noise around me, especially people talking, etc., or intermittent noises.
The metalic, high pitched humming sound from my computer is irritating me right at this very moment!
At the movies, sometimes the movie sounds so incredibly loud to me that it hurts my ears and is almost painful all over. This is especially true for me when I've been depressed. At such times, an announcement over a store PA system can make me startle and want to run out of the store immediately if the noise continues.
My sister is also sensitive to noise--I think she is moreso than I am.
I am not as sensitive to light. However, I am very uncomfortable with a lot of colored flashing lights and movement. I can be overstimulated in a mall, for example, although I've learned ways to deal with that, especially if I am familiar with the place. And video games with action and movement make me dizzy and nauseous. When I saw the movie Lost In Translation I found the scenes of the flashing neon world of Tokyo very unpleasant to watch.
I have a friend who is extremely sensitive to light of any kind--she wears sunglasses in the house. She has migraines, panic attacks and probably bipolar II, and I have always wondered if there is a relationship between the light sensitivity and these other problems.
I am distracted by the feeling of clothing labels on my skin sometimes. I just tear them out if that is the case. It bothers me more at the neck than at the waist.
Posted by skeptic on April 8, 2004, at 14:00:19
In reply to Re: Sensory Sensitivity, posted by noa on April 8, 2004, at 9:00:36
Pretty sure that there is a strong link between all kinds of sensitivity and mood problems. Hence the reason many artists have mood problems and why many with mood problems are drawn to music (often different types of music depending on the mood).
I have had issues with sound sensitivity, light sensitivity, and I have also been told that I have a very keen sensitivity to odors. The weather outside also affects my mood tremendously, though this was the case more so prior to my being on meds (very low dose, only one med, mind you).
This is the reason many psychiatric meds, in particular the anticonvulsants, act on the central nervous system, almost always creating unintended and undesirable side effects, since the nervous system branches out throughout the body.
> I am sensitive to sound. First of all, I am rather auditorily distractible--I cannot concentrate well if there is noise around me, especially people talking, etc., or intermittent noises.
>
> The metalic, high pitched humming sound from my computer is irritating me right at this very moment!
>
> At the movies, sometimes the movie sounds so incredibly loud to me that it hurts my ears and is almost painful all over. This is especially true for me when I've been depressed. At such times, an announcement over a store PA system can make me startle and want to run out of the store immediately if the noise continues.
>
> My sister is also sensitive to noise--I think she is moreso than I am.
>
> I am not as sensitive to light. However, I am very uncomfortable with a lot of colored flashing lights and movement. I can be overstimulated in a mall, for example, although I've learned ways to deal with that, especially if I am familiar with the place. And video games with action and movement make me dizzy and nauseous. When I saw the movie Lost In Translation I found the scenes of the flashing neon world of Tokyo very unpleasant to watch.
>
> I have a friend who is extremely sensitive to light of any kind--she wears sunglasses in the house. She has migraines, panic attacks and probably bipolar II, and I have always wondered if there is a relationship between the light sensitivity and these other problems.
>
> I am distracted by the feeling of clothing labels on my skin sometimes. I just tear them out if that is the case. It bothers me more at the neck than at the waist.
Posted by noa on April 8, 2004, at 17:41:29
In reply to Re: Sensory Sensitivity » noa, posted by skeptic on April 8, 2004, at 14:00:19
Yes, and your post reminded me that I am also sensitive to smells! I can smell mildew, for example, when other people can't (they think I'm making it up!). I also have a very strong gag reflex to smells. I think the gag reflex is heightened by some of my medications--not just from smells, but when I cough or sneeze, sometimes I have to consciously supress the gag reflex.
Posted by joebob on April 10, 2004, at 20:32:00
In reply to Re: Sensory Sensitivity, posted by noa on April 8, 2004, at 9:00:36
on clothes thing..........
homepathy "cured" him
This is the end of the thread.
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