After a Supernova Event

A supernova event is a severe trauma response that occurs when an empath has been pushed to their absolute emotional limit, usually by a person with narcissistic or manipulative traits. The empath, who has often spent a long time accommodating and forgiving, reaches a point where they can no longer tolerate the abuse and fundamentally change their approach.

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The Darkside of HSP

When an empath is pushed too far, they often reach a breaking point that triggers a powerful protective response. While a natural response to prolonged emotional overload, this reaction can be surprising or painful for the person who caused it. The empath's reaction is not necessarily an angry explosion but a quiet, permanent withdrawal. 

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Hazards of Misdiagnosis for the Highly Sensitive Person

While some disorders may benefit from medication, it is important to note that having the trait of Sensory Processing Sensitivity, commonly referred to as the highly sensitive person (HSP), is NOT a disorder.  Some common misdiagnoses can be Bipolar, ADHD/ADD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, etc.  While it is possible for an HSP to also have one or more of these disorders,  a large number of HSPs have been given one of these diagnoses but do not actually have the disorder. When misdiagnosed with one of the disorders above it is common to be prescribed medication.  It is difficult to see so many HSPs suffering needlessly on medications they don't need that are causing them harm. HSPs in general often suffer from greater side effects of all types of medications so awareness and education are crucial.

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Is it OK to be Highly Sensitive?

Some people have an emotional reaction to small cues that others might not even notice. Some people may be more prone to emotional reactions that impact them physically, such as a rush of adrenaline, increased tension or a quickening heart rate. High sensitivity isn’t considered a type of mental illness, but it can be present in people with those conditions. People with borderline personality disorder often have more intense emotions, while people with an anxiety disorder or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be extra sensitive to emotions and external stimuli.  And no, being an HSP and an introvert aren’t the same thing, but they can co-occur.

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Traits of Highly Sensitive Children

Highly sensitive children (HSCs) are wired to process and react to their experiences in the world more deeply than other children. These kids are amazing. They are often fierce and feisty, persistent and passionate. They are incredibly insightful and empathetic. They are also prone to having more challenges adapting to life’s expectations and limits. And they can be exhausting because of their intensity. 

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The Highly Sensitive Man

For men, dealing with high sensitivity (HSP) involves navigating societal expectations of masculinity, which often discourage emotional expression. Key strategies focus on self-acceptance, setting boundaries, and leveraging sensitive traits like empathy and creativity as strengths rather than weaknesses. 

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Creating a More Inclusive Environment for HSPs

Creating a more inclusive environment for highly sensitive people (HSPs) requires a fundamental shift in mindset—from seeing sensitivity as a liability to recognizing it as a valuable trait. This includes providing better sensory control, adjusting social and work structures, and offering psychological support.

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Sensitivephobic: Could This Describe You?

Yes, highly sensitive people (HSPs) face significant societal biases, rooted in the misconception that sensitivity is a weakness rather than a normal, inherited trait. These prejudices can influence how HSPs are perceived in relationships, the workplace, and the world at large. The term "sensitivephobia" has even been used to describe the prejudice and dislike that highly sensitive people may experience in Western cultures.

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Is it Horrible to have HSP?

Being highly sensitive is not inherently bad, but it can present significant challenges if not managed effectively. Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) is a personality trait characterized by deeper processing of physical, emotional, and social stimuli. This can lead to both profound strengths and difficult struggles, depending heavily on the individual's environment and learned coping mechanisms. The same heightened awareness that allows HSPs to perceive subtleties also makes them prone to being overwhelmed in a fast-paced and stimulating world.

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When Sensitivity Becomes a Superpower

Sensitivity becomes a superpower when highly sensitive people (HSPs) learn to channel their traits productively instead of being overwhelmed by them. Rather than a weakness, this trait is linked to a more responsive nervous system and deeper processing of information, which offers many distinct advantages in life, love, and work. An HSP's "superpower" potential is unlocked when they embrace their heightened emotional awareness, depth of feeling, and perception of subtleties that others often miss.

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One of These Things is NOT Like the Others

The human need for a tribe, or a sense of belonging to a group, is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history and psychology. The need for connection and community remains a driving force in our lives. In modern times, our tribes might not be geographical but rather based on interests, professions, hobbies, or online communities. Feeling like the only one of your kind is extremely lonely. I can remember being very small, maybe about 3 years old, when I realized that the members of my family did not think the same way that I did. My Dad watching football on the TV and yelling at the screen, steps sounding on the floor as my mom vacuumed, my little sister crying, the phone ringing,  the microwave buzzing, my dad’s glass thumping on the coffee table as he set it down.  I can remember feeling confused when they did not seem to notice the calamity of sound that made me feel like screaming. To me, my house was LOUD all the time. And so, I hid. I hid in my bedroom and lost myself in the magical world of books on tape. I would spend hours in my room, listening to my Talk'N'Play, my Cricket Doll, and Read-A-Long Fairytale books. I lost myself completely in the internal landscape of my thoughts and that set the pattern that would be my escape for the rest of my life. I still lose myself in books when I am overstimulated by the world around me. 

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Finding Ways to Cope

I have been doing self-care to cope with High Sensitivity all my life, even before I knew the science behind my tendency to become overstimulated very easily. There are a few things that have become very soothing to me and I practice them regularly to maintain my sense of safety and wellness.

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