Hypersensitivity

A reflection in the service of patients

In my practice as a clinical psychologist, the term “hypersensitivity” frequently arises in patients’ narratives. Many self-identify as “hypersensitive,” often through spontaneous self-diagnosis. This word, while commonly used, carries diverse meanings and can serve multiple functions.

Far from being a pathological label or clinical symptom, hypersensitivity, to me, is a valuable indicator—a gateway to exploring what manifests in the patient as anxiety or anguish.

Beyond a Self-Diagnosed Label

When a patient describes themselves as hypersensitive, it often reflects an overwhelming emotional or sensory experience that they cannot yet precisely define. This intense feeling, however, is neither a medical diagnosis nor a sign of superior intelligence. It is a singular expression of their lived experience, revealing a unique way of perceiving and reacting to the world.

My work, then, is to move beyond this self-label to understand what hypersensitivity signifies in their personal history. Is it hypersensoriality, where noise, light, or touch become intrusive? Or is it emotional intensity linked to past memories or lived situations? Some patients articulate their hypersensitivity through a pronounced ability to verbalize their emotions, while others, marked by alexithymia, express it somatically or withdraw emotionally. Each individual experiences hypersensitivity in their own way.

Anxiety and Anguish: Two Sides of the Same Distress

In this context, it is crucial to distinguish between anxiety and anguish, two emotions often associated with hypersensitivity. Anxiety is a diffuse worry, oriented towards the future and marked by a constant sense of alertness. Anguish, on the other hand, manifests in a more raw way, often somatically, with sensations of oppression or imminent threat.

Both forms of distress, while overlapping, require different approaches to care. Hypersensitivity here acts as a kind of “psychological sensor,” signaling to the patient that a point of tension demands attention.

A Rich and Nuanced Exploration

Hypersensitivity is not a uniform concept. Some patients focus on physical sensations—proximity to certain personalities, high-pitched sounds, or unpleasant textures. Others experience great internal agitation, fueled by rumination or hyper-intellectualization. This diversity reflects the richness of the concept, which deserves to be explored on a case-by-case basis.

For example: * Clara feels sensory overload in noisy environments like crowded supermarkets. * Antoine, by contrast, is overwhelmed by incessant ruminations after conversations, feeding his social anxiety. * Sofia, unable to verbalize her emotions, expresses her hypersensitivity through unexplained bodily pains.

These examples illustrate that hypersensitivity is a multifaceted phenomenon, deeply rooted in each individual’s unique experience.

Psychological Support: Giving Meaning to Hypersensitivity

In therapeutic support, I view hypersensitivity not as an endpoint but as a starting point. My role is to work with the patient to decode what this heightened sensitivity reveals about their coping mechanisms, their anxiety, or their anguish. In other words, hypersensitivity acts as a signal—a language that the psychologist helps to translate.

This work includes: * Identifying the emotional or sensory triggers unique to the patient. * Easing the sense of overwhelm through techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, or relaxation exercises. * Framing this sensitivity by assigning it a function and meaning that aligns with the patient’s personal history.

Between Science and Introspection

Research on “Highly Sensitive People” (HSP) conducted by Elaine Aron has shown that hypersensitivity is often linked to heightened neurological activation, particularly in the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional regulation (Aron, E. N., 1996). These findings provide valuable scientific insights, but they should not overshadow the uniqueness of each individual’s experience.

Finally, authors like Thomas d’Ansembourg (Cessez d’être gentil, soyez vrai, 2001) encourage moving beyond the label of hypersensitivity to embrace emotional authenticity and action. While this perspective is intriguing, it should be incorporated thoughtfully into psychological support.

Conclusion

Hypersensitivity is neither a weakness nor a pathology; it is a rich and complex human trait. For the psychologist, it is a valuable key to understanding and supporting the specific forms of anxiety and anguish experienced by the patient.

Through attentive listening and a structured therapeutic framework, patients can transform what may feel like an overwhelming sensitivity into a resource that illuminates their functioning, their self-perception, and their relationships with others.

References:

1. Aron, E. N. (1996). The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. New York, NY: Broadway Books.
2. d’Ansembourg, T. (2001). Cessez d’être gentil, soyez vrai : Être avec les autres en restant soi-même. Paris: Les Éditions de l’Homme.