highly sensitive person

[lph]

I break down at funerals, even for people who I barely know (like my friend's parents).

Oh Lord, yes! I can't go to a funeral without a stash of hankies, because there is no way I'm not going to end up bawling with snot running everywhere. A bit embarrassing if I'm not one of the close family or friends. Funny thing is I'm almost as easily moved at happy occasions like weddings, I have to sit and stare out the window and think of something very mundane like dishwashing to not start sniffling at inappropriate moments. Ok, I admit it, it's not sniffling, sniffling would be ok, it's fullblown weeping.

Certain pieces of music can have the same effect. My calm dh just smiles at it all, because he knows I'm pretty down to earth the rest of the time.

Wow. It's kind of reassuring to read that this is a normal sort of thing

[ridenread]

As a therapist who works with children with sensory processing disorders I find this discussion very interesting. Sensory processing issues are very often unrecognized and misunderstood. Yes many people have sensitivities to certain aspects of life... noise, touch ,crowds, lights and still manage to live their day to day lives without incident. We all have our "quirks"

Most people who are "highly sensitive" do not have a disorder.Their nervous system perceives things differently and they learn how to cope. Interestingly many "highly sensitive" people turn to activities such as running and cycling because of the calming benefits it has on their nervous systems.

However there are those that are "disordered" and it can severely impact all aspects of life. There are many people who have spent years in therapy for anxiety, depression, feeling that they do not fit in with other people and just always feeling "different". There are many who try to self medicate with drugs or alcohol.
Sensory "differences" are very real and can be life altering to many.

[shootingstar]

Thx for your perspective ridenread.