Only a couple of days ago I ordered a book though a gift card I got and it got here in a matter of a few days. Yet a letter that was coming from Cambridge is not. Makes you wonder...
Anyways once I opened the book I realized I needed the other book to go with it. At least that one I could get through my Kobo Arc. SO I am starting a new workbook that I will be putting my answers here. And since I have so few people reading it I should not have any problems with people not liking it. These books are not about Highly Sensitive, but I think they will still help many who also have fears that they have to deal with.
The books are "Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway." and "Fear The Fear.. And Beyond" both are by Susan Jeffers. There books were pointed out by my Sister-in-common-law. She was reading them and thought I could use it so I got them and will be doing the exercises here to share with those who might like to follow along.
The first one:
The fears the run my life are...
the fear that people do not like me (mostly close friends and family of those close to me)
the fear that I will mess up
the fear that I will do something that will make those who I love angry at me
the fear that I would fail again
the fear that I will be emotional in public
the fear that I am not smart enough, good enough
the fear that I will never be the real me
Ok that is a start and they are very deep to me so I hope you will not hold them against me.
Showing posts with label anxiety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anxiety. Show all posts
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Medical care and Medication
Elaine's workbook said that "less than 10 percent of medical doctors are HSP and at least 45 percent of office visits are made by HSP" page, 213. Most of the trips I made has been because of stress related issues but have been called everything from Bipolar to anxiety. At the time I had no idea that my sensitivity was more part to what I was going through and I have been put on different medications I was not sure I really needed even thought I had these labels.
I found myself overwhelmed with these labels and medications and they did not seam to help. Oh the last one did help clear the head a bit, but just about anything would when you were in tears every day because of the events that were happening on a daily bases. I was not depressed, it was not a chemical thing when someone is saying nasty things every day. They were not me thinking of the past of what was said, they were being said daily.
He wanted me to go on medication in hope that it would control my feelings but it only calmed my mind enough to realize that I needed to leave. No one should even be treated the way I was letting myself being treated.
Now I am fighting to get off the medication I have been on for two years. While I was on it I thought it was helping. I was not as emotional as much but I was still having anxiety. As I was reading about being HSP and realized that the medication was not really doing anything. I was not really going through anxiety. I need to learn the differences of being anxious or being overwhelmed. My moods are doing great for I am not in a bad situation and my life is much more relaxed. I have been the one that was doing all the work.
Now it is about getting off the medication and to make sure that people listen to me. I am HSP, not Bipolar or depressed or anxious. No medication that helps with the chemical imbalance is going to help something that I am born with and is the sensitivity of my nervous system.
So I am continue to learn to stay healthier without the medication I am fighting to get out of my body now. I am using gentler treatments that will help me such as doing mediation every morning. This gives me a calmer start in my morning so I am not just jumping up and starting my day on a run. I have never smoked or done street drugs, though what I have gone through getting off the legal drug has not been fun, I hardly drink and love the mock drinks better. I cooking most of my foods from scratch so my body is not leaded down with crap.
Now it is learning how to talk to the doctor about it so that I never have to be put on the medication any more. I need to learn how to explain that I am healthy and the emotions I show are who I am, not some chemical imbalance. I am fine, I am healthy and for the first time in more years then I can think of I am happy.
I found myself overwhelmed with these labels and medications and they did not seam to help. Oh the last one did help clear the head a bit, but just about anything would when you were in tears every day because of the events that were happening on a daily bases. I was not depressed, it was not a chemical thing when someone is saying nasty things every day. They were not me thinking of the past of what was said, they were being said daily.
He wanted me to go on medication in hope that it would control my feelings but it only calmed my mind enough to realize that I needed to leave. No one should even be treated the way I was letting myself being treated.
Now I am fighting to get off the medication I have been on for two years. While I was on it I thought it was helping. I was not as emotional as much but I was still having anxiety. As I was reading about being HSP and realized that the medication was not really doing anything. I was not really going through anxiety. I need to learn the differences of being anxious or being overwhelmed. My moods are doing great for I am not in a bad situation and my life is much more relaxed. I have been the one that was doing all the work.
Now it is about getting off the medication and to make sure that people listen to me. I am HSP, not Bipolar or depressed or anxious. No medication that helps with the chemical imbalance is going to help something that I am born with and is the sensitivity of my nervous system.
So I am continue to learn to stay healthier without the medication I am fighting to get out of my body now. I am using gentler treatments that will help me such as doing mediation every morning. This gives me a calmer start in my morning so I am not just jumping up and starting my day on a run. I have never smoked or done street drugs, though what I have gone through getting off the legal drug has not been fun, I hardly drink and love the mock drinks better. I cooking most of my foods from scratch so my body is not leaded down with crap.
Now it is learning how to talk to the doctor about it so that I never have to be put on the medication any more. I need to learn how to explain that I am healthy and the emotions I show are who I am, not some chemical imbalance. I am fine, I am healthy and for the first time in more years then I can think of I am happy.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Chapter 3: Taking Care of Your Sensitive Self
It is hard to take care of ourselves as HPS. I know I have in my mind to take care of others before I take care of myself. I also start thinking that others want me to be doing more, make more, be more. This is the wrong thinking for it makes me stressed and overwhelmed to the point where my body is screaming at me again.
If I am not taking care of myself, and start doing things the non-sensitive way I will be the one who will be suffering. Even if I am at a place that I am enjoying myself, if my body is suffering because of stress or it is overwhelmed I am not going to enjoy that time.
Overarousal is our Kripdinite or is it Cortisol? (From Elaine's Workbook), so we need to do what we can to take care that we do not get overwhelmed with the world around us. From what I have read cortisol stays in our body for a very long time. It has a lot of side effects that were not even mentioned in Elaine's book for it is not just HSP type of issues but those who tend to have anxiety and are building up this cortisol maybe the information I copied off Wikipedia will be of use.
Even a short state of being overwhelmed can lead to feeling stressed and anxious, tight muscles such as the neck and jaw, (my biting my tongue at night) sweating, memory issues, poor coordination and concentration, feeling anxious about getting things done, (so me) tired going to bed and just as tired or more so when you get up in the morning. (me also) The list goes on and if you have the workbook it is on page 74.
So how can you cope with situations that will have us stressing and building that high level of cortisol? Well we are all different and in different situations so what works with one, may not work with another. My daughter is in a very high level of anxiety and even talking about HSP with her is not going to help even though it is part of the issue. She needs help with the anxiety first.
The overwhelming feelings and the stress is the downside of being HSP and we all need ways to deal with it.
Here is my list of how I deal with being overwhelmed:
* When I feel overaroused I take time in my "dark room" the bedroom with the curtains closed and light off, no noise and a cat or three to pet as I rest.
* Learning to say NO when I need to, cutting down doing too much.
* Taking time off 'work'
* I meditate daily, first thing in the morning so that I do not feel rushed.
* I give myself permission to leave a situation if I feel overwhelmed.
* I bring the scent of lavender where ever I go to use when I need to breath in deeply.
If I am not taking care of myself, and start doing things the non-sensitive way I will be the one who will be suffering. Even if I am at a place that I am enjoying myself, if my body is suffering because of stress or it is overwhelmed I am not going to enjoy that time.
Overarousal is our Kripdinite or is it Cortisol? (From Elaine's Workbook), so we need to do what we can to take care that we do not get overwhelmed with the world around us. From what I have read cortisol stays in our body for a very long time. It has a lot of side effects that were not even mentioned in Elaine's book for it is not just HSP type of issues but those who tend to have anxiety and are building up this cortisol maybe the information I copied off Wikipedia will be of use.
Even a short state of being overwhelmed can lead to feeling stressed and anxious, tight muscles such as the neck and jaw, (my biting my tongue at night) sweating, memory issues, poor coordination and concentration, feeling anxious about getting things done, (so me) tired going to bed and just as tired or more so when you get up in the morning. (me also) The list goes on and if you have the workbook it is on page 74.
So how can you cope with situations that will have us stressing and building that high level of cortisol? Well we are all different and in different situations so what works with one, may not work with another. My daughter is in a very high level of anxiety and even talking about HSP with her is not going to help even though it is part of the issue. She needs help with the anxiety first.
The overwhelming feelings and the stress is the downside of being HSP and we all need ways to deal with it.
Here is my list of how I deal with being overwhelmed:
* When I feel overaroused I take time in my "dark room" the bedroom with the curtains closed and light off, no noise and a cat or three to pet as I rest.
* Learning to say NO when I need to, cutting down doing too much.
* Taking time off 'work'
* I meditate daily, first thing in the morning so that I do not feel rushed.
* I give myself permission to leave a situation if I feel overwhelmed.
* I bring the scent of lavender where ever I go to use when I need to breath in deeply.
" Cortisol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with cortisone, a similar compound with a similar name, genesis, and function.
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Cortisol, known more formally as hydrocortisone (INN, USAN, BAN), is a steroid hormone, more specifically a glucocorticoid, produced by the zona fasciculata of theadrenal cortex.[1] It is released in response to stress and a low level of bloodglucocorticoids. Its primary functions are to increase blood sugar through gluconeogenesis; suppress the immune system; and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.[2] It also decreases bone formation. Various synthetic forms of cortisol are used to treat a variety of diseases....
Other effects[edit]
See also: Glucocorticoid#Therapeutic use
Cortisol is released in response to stress, sparing available glucose for the brain, generating new energy from stored reserves, and diverting energy from low-priority activities (such as the immune system) in order to survive immediate threats or prepare for the exertion of rising to a new day. However, prolonged cortisol secretion (which may be due to chronic stress or the excessive secretion seen inCushing's syndrome) results in significant physiological changes.[1]
- Insulin
Cortisol counteracts insulin, contributes to hyperglycemia-causing hepatic gluconeogenesis[14] and inhibits the peripheral utilization of glucose (insulin resistance)[14] by decreasing the translocation of glucose transporters (especially GLUT4) to the cell membrane.[15][16]However, cortisol increases glycogen synthesis (glycogenesis) in the liver.[17] The permissive effect of cortisol on insulin action in liver glycogenesis is observed in hepatocyte culture in the laboratory, although the mechanism for this is unknown.
- Collagen
In laboratory rats, cortisol-induced collagen loss in the skin is ten times greater than in any other tissue.[18]
- Amino acids
Cortisol raises the free amino acids in the serum. It does this by inhibiting collagen formation, decreasing amino acid uptake by muscle, and inhibiting protein synthesis.[19] Cortisol (as opticortinol) may inversely inhibit IgA precursor cells in the intestines of calves.[20]Cortisol also inhibits IgA in serum, as it does IgM; however, it is not shown to inhibit IgE.[21]
- Gastric and renal secretion
Cortisol stimulates gastric-acid secretion.[22] Cortisol's only direct effect on the hydrogen ion excretion of the kidneys is to stimulate the excretion of ammonium ions by deactivating the renal glutaminase enzyme.[23] Net chloride secretion in the intestines is inversely decreased by cortisol in vitro (methylprednisolone).[24]
- Sodium
Cortisol inhibits sodium loss through the small intestine of mammals.[25] Sodium depletion, however, does not affect cortisol levels[26]so cortisol cannot be used to regulate serum sodium. Cortisol's original purpose may have been sodium transport. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that freshwater fish utilize cortisol to stimulate sodium inward, while saltwater fish have a cortisol-based system for expelling excess sodium.[27]
- Potassium
A sodium load augments the intense potassium excretion by cortisol; corticosterone is comparable to cortisol in this case.[17] For potassium to move out of the cell, cortisol moves an equal number of sodium ions into the cell.[28] This should make pH regulation much easier (unlike the normal potassium-deficiency situation, in which two sodium ions move in for each three potassium ions that move out—closer to the deoxycorticosterone effect). Nevertheless, cortisol consistently causes serum alkalosis; in a deficiency, serum pH does not change. The purpose of this may be to reduce serum pH to an optimum value for some immune enzymes during infection, when cortisol declines. Potassium is also blocked from loss in the kidneys by a decline in cortisol (9 alpha fluorohydrocortisone).[29]
- Water
Cortisol acts as anti- diuretic hormone, controlling one-half of intestinal diuresis;[25] it has also been shown to control kidney diuresis in dogs. The decline in water excretion following a decline in cortisol (dexamethasone) in dogs is probably due to inverse stimulation ofantidiuretic hormone (ADH or arginine vasopressin), which is not overridden by water loading.[30] Humans and other animals also use this mechanism.[31]
- Copper
Cortisol stimulates many copper enzymes (often to 50% of their total potential), probably to increase copper availability for immune purposes.[32]:337 This includes lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that cross-links collagen and elastin.[32]:334 Especially valuable for immune response is cortisol's stimulation of the superoxide dismutase,[33] since this copper enzyme is almost certainly used by the body to permit superoxides to poison bacteria. Cortisol causes an inverse four- or fivefold decrease of metallothionein (a copper storage protein) in mice;[34] however, rodents do not synthesize cortisol themselves. This may be to furnish more copper for ceruloplasmin synthesis or to release free copper. Cortisol has an opposite effect on aminoisobuteric acid than on the other amino acids.[35] If alpha-aminoisobuteric acid is used to transport copper through the cell wall, this anomaly might be explained.
- Immune system
Cortisol can weaken the activity of the immune system. Cortisol prevents proliferation of T-cells by rendering the interleukin-2 producerT-cells unresponsive to interleukin-1 (IL-1), and unable to produce the T-cell growth factor.[36] Cortisol also has a negative-feedback effect on interleukin-1.[37] IL-1 must be especially useful in combating some diseases; however, endotoxic bacteria have gained an advantage by forcing the hypothalamus to increase cortisol levels (forcing the secretion of CRH hormone, thus antagonizing IL-1). The suppressor cells are not affected by glucosteroid response-modifying factor (GRMF),[38] so the effective setpoint for the immune cells may be even higher than the setpoint for physiological processes (reflecting leukocyte redistribution to lymph nodes, bone marrow, andskin). Rapid administration of corticosterone (the endogenous Type I and Type II receptor agonist) or RU28362 (a specific Type II receptor agonist) to adrenalectomized animals induced changes in leukocyte distribution. Natural killer cells are not affected by cortisol.[39]
- Bone metabolism
Cortisol reduces bone formation, favoring long-term development of osteoporosis. It transports potassium out of cells in exchange for an equal number of sodium ions (see above).[28] This can trigger the hyperkalemia of metabolic shock from surgery. Cortisol also reducescalcium absorption in the intestine.[40]
- Memory
Cortisol works with epinephrine (adrenaline) to create memories of short-term emotional events; this is the proposed mechanism for storage of flash bulb memories, and may originate as a means to remember what to avoid in the future.[41] However, long-term exposure to cortisol damages cells in the hippocampus;[42] this damage results in impaired learning. Furthermore, it has been shown that cortisol inhibits memory retrieval of already stored information.[43][44]
- Additional effects
- Increases blood pressure by increasing the sensitivity of the vasculature to epinephrine and norepinephrine; in the absence of cortisol, widespread vasodilation occurs[41]
- Inhibits secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), resulting in feedback inhibition of ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone or corticotropin) secretion. Some researchers believe that this normal feedback system may become dysregulated when animals are exposed to chronic stress[45]
- Shuts down the reproductive system, resulting in an increased chance of miscarriage and (in some cases) temporary infertility. Fertility returns after cortisol levels return to normal.[46]
- Has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing histamine secretion and stabilizing lysosomal membranes. Stabilization of lysosomal membranes prevents their rupture, preventing damage to healthy tissues[47]
- Stimulates hepatic detoxification by inducing tryptophan oxygenase (reducing serotonin levels in the brain), glutamine synthase (reducing glutamate and ammonia levels in the brain), cytochrome P-450 hemoprotein (mobilizing arachidonic acid), andmetallothionein (reducing heavy metals in the body)[48]
- In addition to cortisol's effects in binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, because of its molecular similarity to aldosterone it also binds to the mineralocorticoid receptor. Aldosterone and cortisol have a similar affinity for the mineralocorticoid receptor; however, glucocorticoids circulate at roughly 100 times the level of mineralocorticoids. An enzyme exists in mineralocorticoid target tissues to prevent overstimulation by glucocorticoids and allow selective mineralocorticoid action. This enzyme—11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (Protein:HSD11B2)—catalyzes the deactivation of glucocorticoids to 11-dehydro metabolites[48]
- There are potential links between cortisol, appetite and obesity.[49] "
Friday, June 21, 2013
Self-Assessment to Discover Your Style of Sensitivity
In Elaine's workbook, on page 54-55 there is a yes and no questionnaire that you can do if you have the book. I had done the questionnaire and I am going to write my conclusion here.
The questions are about your curiosity, being an introvert or extrovert, shyness, and other differences. Together you have a summery of who you are.
My style of sensitivity is that I am comfortable in the middle of being a sensation seeker even though I am an introvert. I am prone to anxiety and depression due to a difficult school environment, but I also have many calmer times to.Though I seem shy, I am actually cautious. I am a morning person, but if it is not calm it could effect me as late and evening. This could also lead to trouble sleeping.
I have learned a lot about myself and with that I can look at my past differently and that helps with looking or living my present life differently, understanding who I am and how I will react or steer that reaction in a different direction.
The questions are about your curiosity, being an introvert or extrovert, shyness, and other differences. Together you have a summery of who you are.
My style of sensitivity is that I am comfortable in the middle of being a sensation seeker even though I am an introvert. I am prone to anxiety and depression due to a difficult school environment, but I also have many calmer times to.Though I seem shy, I am actually cautious. I am a morning person, but if it is not calm it could effect me as late and evening. This could also lead to trouble sleeping.
I have learned a lot about myself and with that I can look at my past differently and that helps with looking or living my present life differently, understanding who I am and how I will react or steer that reaction in a different direction.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Reframing Your Past
I will be reframing a small part of my past, a change that had happened. Change is hard on people who are HSP. It does not mean we do not like change or that we think change is a bad thing. We do need more time to get use to the change, to take in all the information and sort out our feelings. We take out time to get use to the idea of what the changes are.
Unfortunately others sees us as resistant to change, afraid, unwilling. But this only add to the overwhelming feelings we have to deal with as and after the change. I was able to adjust quite easily with change for I was raised in the military and had to move about some. I really do not remember moving as being any more stressful as it was part of normal part of life.
The Life Event:
I was working in the back at work, receiving the truck with the other, which means we were unpacking boxes and sorting all the merchandise. I had to make a decisions on what I was going to do. Did I want to stay in the city with this same job, or move back to Cambridge? Did I keep this job or do I look for a full time job? I could move away completely and give up any friends or connections I had in the city, including the employment center that could help me find a better job. I would have to get involved with social assistants and low income living. Chances where that Social assistance would want me to try to get child support. I was loving at a shelter and knew I had to make a decision soon and sort out my life. A very close friend said that I could move in with him to so I had to think about that to.
I was very upset with my ex who had called me that morning. I was upset with the manager who was doing everything she could to get me to leave my job. I was in pain and stressed out so much that I didn't know which way I was going. I was crying and I knew everyone was wondering what was wrong. I went to the office and told them that I was leaving, leaving the job, leaving the city.
The only bad feelings I have about that day was the manager was not helpful in any way. She wanted me gone and she got her way. She was not supportive and wanted me to go beyond what a person can do. I felt forced to keep a job that was not a good fit and added to the stress.
What I know now is that I was overwhelmed with all the changes that was happening all at once. I was doing too much, too fast. Even though I was trying hard to keep the job, the job was not the right fit for me or for who I am. The overwhelming stress and pressure is not good for my health. The push I was getting from the manager and my ex was causing more stress and caused part of the emotional breakdown. I should have taking time away from work to sort things out and should not have talked to my ex at all. But I feel that the decision I made at the end is still the right one.
If I had known more about the HSP before that day, I would have looked for someone I could talk to about what to do about my job. I would have either looked for a better fitting job or found a way to make the manager understand that her pushing was causing a lot of stress.
I am a highly sensitive person and now realized that I need to make people understand that there are some things that I am not comfortable being forced to do. I force myself to work harder and cause stress to myself to. I need to be easier on me and my sensitivity. I am not weak, but am harder on myself than anyone else.
Summary of Reframing from page 29 of workbok..
1. Recall how you responded to the event.
2. Recall how you have tended to feel about that response.
3. Consider your response in the light of what you know about your trait.
4. Think about whether the negative parts of the event might have been avoiding or would have gone differently if you or others had known you were HSP and had made adjustment for that.
5. If this knowledge would have prevented your suffering or wasting a portion of your life, taking time to feel whatever you feel about that.
6. Write down your new understanding of the event and read it over often until you have absorbed the full meaning of it.
Unfortunately others sees us as resistant to change, afraid, unwilling. But this only add to the overwhelming feelings we have to deal with as and after the change. I was able to adjust quite easily with change for I was raised in the military and had to move about some. I really do not remember moving as being any more stressful as it was part of normal part of life.
The Life Event:
I was working in the back at work, receiving the truck with the other, which means we were unpacking boxes and sorting all the merchandise. I had to make a decisions on what I was going to do. Did I want to stay in the city with this same job, or move back to Cambridge? Did I keep this job or do I look for a full time job? I could move away completely and give up any friends or connections I had in the city, including the employment center that could help me find a better job. I would have to get involved with social assistants and low income living. Chances where that Social assistance would want me to try to get child support. I was loving at a shelter and knew I had to make a decision soon and sort out my life. A very close friend said that I could move in with him to so I had to think about that to.
I was very upset with my ex who had called me that morning. I was upset with the manager who was doing everything she could to get me to leave my job. I was in pain and stressed out so much that I didn't know which way I was going. I was crying and I knew everyone was wondering what was wrong. I went to the office and told them that I was leaving, leaving the job, leaving the city.
The only bad feelings I have about that day was the manager was not helpful in any way. She wanted me gone and she got her way. She was not supportive and wanted me to go beyond what a person can do. I felt forced to keep a job that was not a good fit and added to the stress.
What I know now is that I was overwhelmed with all the changes that was happening all at once. I was doing too much, too fast. Even though I was trying hard to keep the job, the job was not the right fit for me or for who I am. The overwhelming stress and pressure is not good for my health. The push I was getting from the manager and my ex was causing more stress and caused part of the emotional breakdown. I should have taking time away from work to sort things out and should not have talked to my ex at all. But I feel that the decision I made at the end is still the right one.
If I had known more about the HSP before that day, I would have looked for someone I could talk to about what to do about my job. I would have either looked for a better fitting job or found a way to make the manager understand that her pushing was causing a lot of stress.
I am a highly sensitive person and now realized that I need to make people understand that there are some things that I am not comfortable being forced to do. I force myself to work harder and cause stress to myself to. I need to be easier on me and my sensitivity. I am not weak, but am harder on myself than anyone else.
Summary of Reframing from page 29 of workbok..
1. Recall how you responded to the event.
2. Recall how you have tended to feel about that response.
3. Consider your response in the light of what you know about your trait.
4. Think about whether the negative parts of the event might have been avoiding or would have gone differently if you or others had known you were HSP and had made adjustment for that.
5. If this knowledge would have prevented your suffering or wasting a portion of your life, taking time to feel whatever you feel about that.
6. Write down your new understanding of the event and read it over often until you have absorbed the full meaning of it.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Your Sensing Self
I think this was and is the hardest part for me. I have ignored listening to what my body has been yelling at me for as long as I can remember. As a high sensitive person, I have always been sensitive to pain, but I was also quiet about it. Even to this day my mother has no idea about some of the pain I was in. Many people might have seen the tears but that only covered some of the pain I was in.
Then a few years ago, I was so stressed that I was in serous danger but even I didn't know how bad. I thought I had a reasons for the signs my body was screaming at me. Chest pain, gas, headaches, cramps and more. I thought I was lactose intolerance, mother nature, and other things that people go through.
When I walked away form that life, it all went away. It was all stress, fear, trauma and anger that even the tears I cried could not relieve. I tried so hard to do what I thought those around me wanted. I turned off listening to my body to make others happy. This left me in a lot of pain.
For a year, I have been trying to let go of all the pain and stress and try to listen to what my body is trying to tell me. I no longer have the screams, but I need to learn to listen to the whispers my body is doing. Even now, I am still learning to listen.
In Elaine's workbook she has listed some points that we can do that will help us listen to what our bodies and minds are trying to say to us. I feel it is much like meditation where you listen within and not cutting everything off. I have been doing this and will continue.
From her workbook p. 22, 23:
1. Be in a place where you won't be disturbed.
2. Give your attention to the sensations.
3. Let your attention shift to whatever sensation is strongest in the moment.
4. Let whatever you are attending to change if it wants to.
5. Spend as much time as you want at this.
6. When you are done, acknowledge the self-healing power you have.
7. Make notes below of anything you especially noticed.
This is a big step to healing.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Why Do I Feel So Different?
Here are some points that Elaine Aron would like us to remember:
1. Overstimulation means Overarousal. We all get overwhelmed whether we are HSP or not.
2. It's important to maintain an optimal level of arousal. We all need to find the center, not being underwhelmed or overwhelmed.
3. HPSs are more easily overaroused. Those of us who are HSPs are more aware of subtleties around us and therefor become overwhelmed more quickly.
4. Sensitivity is not our culture's ideal. The world is a high competitive and consumer-driven place to live. This is too high level of stimulation for HSPs.
5. HSPs are more affected than others by being raised in bad home environment. Depression or anxiety is not the basic trait of an HSP. We can be healed.
We have to speak up in defense of being Highly Sensitive, therefor we need to have answers when we have both inner and outer critics pointing out that we are not what the world thinks we should be. We are told that we are 'too sensitive', you are too shy, that we are always sad or not happy enough. There are many mislabeling we hear from others or even in our heads. So I am writing responses to some of the mislabels.
Mislabel: "You are Not Happy enough!"
I can understand that you misunderstand my feelings because I do not have a smile on my face all the time, but this does not mean I am not happy. I am just in deep thought. I tend to process the information around me deeply and may have a serious look on my face.
Mislabel: "You are too emotional and should see someone about depression and go on meds."
Depression and Anxiety are both chemical imbalance in the brain where being highly sensitive or sensory processing sensitivity is when the central nervous system processes extra information and is overwhelmed. This can be fixed by removing myself from the situation and will be better in a few hours where as depression last for days, weeks and longer.
I hope this was helpful and maybe you to can write down some mislabels and answer them with words that are kind and explain who we really are.
1. Overstimulation means Overarousal. We all get overwhelmed whether we are HSP or not.
2. It's important to maintain an optimal level of arousal. We all need to find the center, not being underwhelmed or overwhelmed.
3. HPSs are more easily overaroused. Those of us who are HSPs are more aware of subtleties around us and therefor become overwhelmed more quickly.
4. Sensitivity is not our culture's ideal. The world is a high competitive and consumer-driven place to live. This is too high level of stimulation for HSPs.
5. HSPs are more affected than others by being raised in bad home environment. Depression or anxiety is not the basic trait of an HSP. We can be healed.
We have to speak up in defense of being Highly Sensitive, therefor we need to have answers when we have both inner and outer critics pointing out that we are not what the world thinks we should be. We are told that we are 'too sensitive', you are too shy, that we are always sad or not happy enough. There are many mislabeling we hear from others or even in our heads. So I am writing responses to some of the mislabels.
Mislabel: "You are Not Happy enough!"
I can understand that you misunderstand my feelings because I do not have a smile on my face all the time, but this does not mean I am not happy. I am just in deep thought. I tend to process the information around me deeply and may have a serious look on my face.
Mislabel: "You are too emotional and should see someone about depression and go on meds."
Depression and Anxiety are both chemical imbalance in the brain where being highly sensitive or sensory processing sensitivity is when the central nervous system processes extra information and is overwhelmed. This can be fixed by removing myself from the situation and will be better in a few hours where as depression last for days, weeks and longer.
I hope this was helpful and maybe you to can write down some mislabels and answer them with words that are kind and explain who we really are.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Sensitivity?
"What exactly do I mean by sensitivity? HSPs are born with a trait that makes them aware of all kinds of subtle messages from outside and inside... It's that we process more deeply the information we receive.We like to reflect." page 2 of The Highly Sensitive Person's Workbook, by Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D.
As I work through this workbook I will be sharing it here. This will be my journal and there will be some sensitive things being said, thought and felt. I want to share this with other HSP's and the book says that HSP's need to get to know each other and I thought this would be the best way to do this. I want to be open and not keep anything back.
The first thing that needs to be done is the self test that is on Elaine site. http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm
By doing the test you will know if you to are HSP and if not, you have an idea what HSP is all about.
As I work through this workbook I will be sharing it here. This will be my journal and there will be some sensitive things being said, thought and felt. I want to share this with other HSP's and the book says that HSP's need to get to know each other and I thought this would be the best way to do this. I want to be open and not keep anything back.
The first thing that needs to be done is the self test that is on Elaine site. http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm
By doing the test you will know if you to are HSP and if not, you have an idea what HSP is all about.
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