I have talked about the subject of being highly sensitive many times on this blog in the context of other topics like shyness or overwhelm, but never have done a post specifically about that way of being in the world. But today I wound up in a conversation on social media with a friend who has been studying neurodiversity. She posted an article that was very interesting and disturbing because it seemed to describe ME! The word “neurodiversity,” if you haven’t gotten to know that yet, is a relatively new label being used to destigmatize those who have brains that work differently than those of the mainstream, and it is usually used to talk about the benefits and challenges of being on the autism spectrum or for those with ADHD or dyslexia.
But that’s not me. At least not most of the time. Not in any obviously disabling degree except for the one thing all these neurodivergencies have in common: a tendency to become overwhelmed by too much stimulation. And to have that happen much more easily than most other people. And, yes, if I am overwhelmed I will find it hard to concentrate (so that looks a bit like ADHD)—hence my hedging a bit about whether I might actually be on some neurodivergent spectrum.
In the old days, before this terminology came about, my version of over-sensitivity was called HSP for Highly Sensitive People. It is thought that about 20% of the population have brains that react more strongly to stimulation of all sorts (physical, emotional, or social) and that this holds true for other animal species as well. The upside of this sensitivity is that it comes with greater powers of perception and the ability to take in details other people ignore. That makes a person with this level of sensitivity more likely to notice what is going on with other people (honestly, a great characteristic for a counselor or therapist) or to pick up on issues that might indicate danger. It’s a hard role to play at times, but it also allows a person to notice the “fatal flaw” in any given situation or to point out the “elephant in the room” that a group is ignoring. This can come across as psychic behavior (and sometimes it is), but really all that means is that a person is highly perceptive and able to provide key insights in any given situation should they feel safe enough to express it. The downside is that it can be exhausting or overwhelming to notice so much and process it all, especially if no one else seems to be doing so. It can make a person feel quite anxious and easily stressed out. Plus, as I said, high sensitivity means you respond more strongly to stimulation which means you feel things more!
What flower essences help with this? All of them. Highly sensitive people feel all the feelings and different flower essences will be needed for different situations. What helps get rid of sensitivity? Nothing. It’s probably not even advisable. After all, you’re not just feeling the upsetting emotions more intensely, you also have a deep capacity for appreciation of beauty, wonder and joy. You have specific advantages other people can’t imagine and possibilities for roles in the world other people really can’t play. If it wasn’t for societal expectations, feeling different, and overwhelm, it might not be hard to be this sensitive at all. But overwhelm IS something flower essences can help with! As well as learning to accept and love yourself and making your need for downtime and recovery a priority without shame, guilt, or self-criticism.
A few suggestions:
My current favorite combination is Lavender and Star of Bethlehem with a third choice more specifically appropriate to what is going on. Lavender is sometimes surprisingly effective for soothing overstimulation, especially if I use it throughout the day. Star of Bethlehem is for great soothing comfort and is usually used in times of shock or trauma. That might sound like overkill but, honestly, overwhelm from high sensitivity actually does seem to register as shock. The combination works for me—give it a try. As for the third flower essence (which isn’t always needed), I am currently using Daffodil for more optimism, joy and hope. It helps counters the intense negativity we’re all being exposed to every day on the news and social media, often being delivered by angry, outraged, or fearful people. . . which, of course, even less sensitive people are overstimulated by. I like Lavender, Star of Bethlehem, and Daffodil together, but at other times I have swapped out the Daffodil for Impatiens (to ease irritation and impatience) or used other choices (usually Mimulus or something else to counteract fear).
If you want something really specific to being someone with a highly sensitive nature, try Lewesia. This flower essence is for people feeling so raw and vulnerable to stimulation you just want to make it stop! It helps you embrace your sensitive nature. Resistance to what is—one’s lived daily experience—creates painful contraction and can make the experience of sensitivity far worse, even painful. Lewisia helps you make friends with your sensitive nature so you can work with it effectively.
While getting rid of sensitivity completely isn’t possible, strengthening your aura and resilience to external inputs can be! I recommend all the Yarrow flower essences. If you are especially sensitive to other people, choose Pink Yarrow. I combine Pink and Golden Yarrow with Red Chestnut and Star of Bethlehem in my Inner Strength and Protection formula.
You might also consider my Soothing the Sensitive Soul formula. It combines Saint John’s Wort (for reducing your vulnerability to negative outside influences and soothing over-sensitivity), Rock Rose (for transcending worry or fear), and Larch (for a more positive belief about what is happening and the confidence to handle it.)
I also have a downloadable pdf called Helpful Tips for Highly Sensitive People. This is a compilation of a variety of articles I’ve written and information from one of my books that I think could be helpful. Topics included:
• Emotional Sensitivity: Innate or Conditioned
• Grounding and How to Do That
• Ways to Maintain or Regain Your Balance Around Other People’s Pain
• Regaining Your Footing When You Get Overwhelmed
• What Makes People Shy or Sensitive and How Flower Essences Can Help
• Guided Meditations and Exercises
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Flower essences are used to assist with mind-body-spirit interactions and individual results may vary. They are extremely dilute which makes them quite safe. But because so little physical substance can be detected in a flower essence solution, these products are presumed to work on an energetic or vibrational level—something that cannot be adequately tested by western scientific methods. Claims made by me, therefore, are based on personal experiences and the evidence of the combined multiple decades of case notes by Dr. Edward Bach as well as Healing Herbs and Flower Essence Services (the companies who make the ingredients I use in my products). This is not, however, accepted medical evidence or substantiated scientific evidence from a modern allopathic point of view. I am not a medical doctor or licensed healthcare practitioner.
Statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided on my blog, websites or by this company are not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a health care provider, and should not be construed as individual medical or mental health advice. Consulting with a health care provider is a must for anyone taking medications or working with a medical or mental health condition, and highly recommended before using any herbal product. Please consult your doctor or health care provider for any possible contraindications and/or interactions with current medications. I trust you to seek the medical guidance you need to use any of my herbal products healthily at your own risk.