As respectful and empathetic highly sensitive persons (HSP) generally are, they are boundary-crossing, unpredictable, and inaccessible in situations of overstimulation.
When our mind-body-soul system becomes overstimulated, it has strong physical effects.
Acute overstimulated hypersensitivity can manifest as:
- strong inner restlessness
- tingling in the limbs or all over the body
- poor concentration
- sweating
- increase in vocal pitch or speaking louder
- racing heart
- strong feeling of tightness
- dizziness
- nausea
- trembling
- hectic movements
- knocking over or dropping objects
- tension in the shoulders
- headaches/migraines
- feeling of helplessness and being at the mercy of others
- hecticness
- crying
You can imagine how much distress a person with such feelings is in. Sometimes it feels like a matter of survival.
A typical sentence from HSPs in this situation is:
“This is too much for me.”
In this state, they can be Highly sensitive people very dismissive and hurtful. To outsiders, this reaction sometimes comes out of the blue.
If you encounter an highly sensitive persons in this state, it's best to withdraw and leave them HSP alone. Any well-intentioned remark, gesture, or question is too much at this moment. The state is intensified by it.
When they are overstimulated, it is most helpful to remove yourself from the situation as much as possible. Most HSPs calm down relatively quickly. However, they are very exhausted afterward.
If the overstimulation cannot be interrupted, it can lead to anxiety and panic attacks.
You can find more detailed information on "High Sensitivity and Overstimulation" in this video
You can learn how to prevent overstimulation and regulate yourself in my seminar Live Up – Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People .
