My senses are almost always on high alert

Being highly sensitive makes me frustrated and anxious a great deal. When I was young my mom used to jokingly call me the princess from the fairytale The Princess and the Pea, because things that would seem small and insignificant would bother me a whole lot. Like of one of my shoestrings we're tied tighter than the other, or the tag in the back of my short constantly scratching my neck. I haven't really learned any coping strategies, so I'm always on edge when things are too loud, bright, or have a strong smell. And then when I realize that I cannot stop those irritants, I get very anxious, and end up angry because I feel out of control and it's not fair. I haven't been on any medicine that works for any of my anxiety, triggered by me being highly sensitive, or other things that trigger my anxiety. The only thing that works is headphones and my own music. I feel like I could live in a quiet, soothing, perfectly warm little bubble and not come out very often, and I'd be content.

[Agora1]

VioletLily, how comforting that bubble sounds :)Actually, I have a self hypnosis tape that I listen to daily that refers

to a large bubble that I enter where I am safe and yet able to go to

places and do things I never thought possible. It's reference is to

the power of our mind. When we think rationally there really is nothing

we can't do. But when those doubts and fears of Anxiety tap into our brain,

all the symptoms and sensitivities come out.

I remember that fairy tale The Princess and the Pea from my bad days with

not only Anxiety but Fibromyalgia. No mattress was never comfortable enough,

I could feel every little crinkle of the sheet. Going into a big box store was a

nightmare. Sounds of the overhead florescent lights bothered me, smells of any

kind would set me off into a panic. Watching tv and hearing the doorbell ring or

the phone would set my heart off racing...

Why was I so sensitive to everything?? I too found that putting headphones on

and walking around my home listening to relaxation tapes helped immensely.

They took me to another place in time. Kind of impractical though.

Eventually, these sensitivities did lower immensely. They lowered as I got more

control over my Anxiety issues. Getting control is not about fighting anxiety but

accepting it as not harmful and in doing so, brings down the Adrenaline threats.

And Agora1 lived happily ever after and you can as well Violet xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Hello agora and violet I can relate to this I often feel I'm.too sensitive for this world and would like my own private island with a lovely beach I can hear the waves now, I find swimming really helps And I often used to turn to alcohol which made me worst just a temporary comfort, I have 3 pillows on my mattress as need a big sponge liner but have yet to find one I cannot bear tickets on collars or jeans even all too tight pressing on me and injuring my sensitive skin and insides, I don't like people nudging me I bruise easily and I find it painful often, and noise 🤯the only noise I manage to tolerate is my cat meowowing as long as not for too long, hypnosis cd I found helpful and will start again need a new bedside mini player there are some can find on u tube meditation music and nice videos to watch, I find walking in nature by water particularly helpful and I like to swim under the glass roof pool when sun's out here's one of my favourite relaxing day photos by my park lake for you to meditate on have a peaceful Christmas 💛🌟oh and I forgot the dressing gown belt digging in me when laid down 🤯

Sun glistening on water with swan

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Your beautiful picture looks so peaceful. It also reminded me of my Pinterest. I have a folder dedicated to peaceful and beautiful things, and one I call Eye Pleasing, which has pics that are symmetrical and pretty and pleasant colorful.

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

Happy Swimmer, I failed to mention that as a release of my stress, I used Aquaticsfor years at a health club. I would watch the 4 seasons of the year through the panes

of the indoor pool. The water was sooo relaxing, so calming to my body as well as

mental state.

Water pics of any kind are always a way that make me relax. Thanks for sharing.

Wishing you a Peaceful Christmas! Breathe xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Thanks I watched 6 swans today on the lake never had phone camera tho was lovely 2 families hope you enjoy Christmas and let's look forward to spring 🤗💛🌟xx

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

HappySwimmer, it's actually like Spring today in Chicago 60 degrees overcast and misty rain...high winds tonight.

I think nature is a bit confused xx

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

Hello I did the test hyper cat put the link on I scored 24 lol possibly cod have been 25 I realise I have this condition if I have cognitive behaviour therapy will it help or some more books to read perhaps I'm struggling at the moment and tend to fluctuate from been really down to bouncing back up and often turn to drink to escape I so needed to swim yesterday but the kids are off I will have to find a time that's safe and start again as 2 weeks without swimming is no good for me hope you have a lovely weekend I'm out for tea with a friend somewhere quite mam's particularly worried about the new strain and we will be pretty much reclusing ourselfes again I'm picking our prescriptions up early as it be packed in the supermarket chemist 🤗😻xx

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

HappySwimmer, wishing you a good weekend as well.Stay Safe but enjoy life and live in the moment. xx

[tinycrumbs]

Your experience makes me feel less alone, thank you for sharing your insights. One of my favorite psychology books is "The Highly Sensitive Person" & I think it would resonate with you, too.

[Hidden in reply to tinycrumbs]

Hello it's surprising we sometimes think we're perhaps a bit unusual to others but really it's just been human I would rather be over sensitive than insensitive those people have no caring Ness to others and often ride rough shod over people I think been over sensitive makes us more aware and perceptive of others sufferring and feelings 🤗🌟

[FindingTheAnswers]

Several of the things that you mentioned, I've dealt with also. The anxiety, the tags on shirts, always being on edge and others. You may want to look into ADHD. Whatever they say about ADHD or the medication for it, for me it was the best Anti-Anxiety Rx I've had. You didn't mention any dysfunction in your family, but ADHD has caused a lot of dysfunction in my family-it was a circus. As I said, it's something to look into. There are plenty of tests on-line to see if you fit. It's also harder to diagnose in women. I hope you find some relief and peace of mind.Keep going. Above all else.... Never Give Up!

[Hidden in reply to FindingTheAnswers]

Hi and thank you. And yes, there's definitely dysfunction in the family. Depression for sure. It's acknowledged, but the attitude is pretty mucheh *shrug*...whaddaya gonna do?

I'm very introspective and can describe my emotions and feelings very well, and I guess perhaps the doctors think that implies that I've been able to manage myself just as well... But maybe more questions for the doc could get me started on feeling better.

[hypercat54]

Hi have a look at this

hsperson.com/test/highly-se...

[primrose81 in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks for this hypercat54, very interesting. I did the test and scored 22 which means I am a HSP and that explains a lot! Will do some more research…..x

[hypercat54 in reply to primrose81]

Good I am glad you found this interesting. I did it myself and scored 14 but I wasn't sure on a couple of answers.

22 is very high.

[Hidden in reply to primrose81]

Hello primrose me too scored 24 did you find ant therapy I'll do reaserch too 🤗

[primrose81 in reply to Hidden]

Good luck with the research HappySwimmer and please let me know if you find anything good! Willing to try anything but cold showers which was recommended on one site……

[Hidden in reply to primrose81]

Oh no not cold shower I can't even swim at the pool in the main pool I have to go in the baby pool or the leisure pool where children go but I don't go when there in its very warm in there have a good day 🤗

[primrose81 in reply to Hidden]

Good for you going into the pool at all, it sounds lovely! You have a good day too 😀

[Rosepetal60 in reply to Hidden]

I scored 22

[Hidden in reply to Rosepetal60]

Good morning rose oh dear well I was going to go swimming if not too busy with children with them been off but I have a rash now from sweating in bed on my hair line it will sting and activate if go in the sulphor water I've had lanzaprozil past couple days as think getting ulcer again so limited on what I eat my tum as always been sensitive but alcohol abuse has I feel and the stress of been in this house blabla activated it how are you 🤗😻

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Stress doesn't help does it?

Back in the summer what we did when we went to the lido was we decided that why should others dictate to us how we feel and where we can and can't go and when so we had booked our times at the lido feeling we have as much right to go there as anyone else and that we did even on busy days!

One afternoon back in September we got a 4pm slot at the lido and it had been busy so I asked the lifeguard could they put a rope in the pool for those who wanted to do lengths and that they did as well!

[Rosepetal60 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for asking, I am relieved to see my new replacement credit card has arrived today. ( taken 6 working days and 10 days overall) I was worried it might have got lost. Now have all the sorting out to do in replacing numbers on various websites that I use it on. My concentration is not at its best at present time due partly I think to stress. Shame you couldn’t go swimming, disappointing for you. Hopefully you can squeeze one more session in before next year.

[Hidden in reply to Rosepetal60]

Hello glad your card is sorted yes it's hard concentrating under stress I'm just having egg sandwhich at mam's then finishing hoovering I'm hoping to swim soon I pay 23 a month direct debit so need to get my money's worth lol even if it's just a shower 😁xx

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks. Mine was 24. But at least I am aware of it. Knowing which places and thing bombard my senses ahead of time helps me mentally prepare. Doing anything on the fly, doesn't suit me at all.

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

Hi hypercat I did the test scores 24 how do I get help for this I'll read some books I guess hope you have a nice weekend and Christmas and New year if don't catch up before then hugs from me and pixie 🤗😻xx

😻