1. www.seminare-ps.net When Sensitivity turns into illness Dr. Samuel Pfeifer Klinik Sonnenhalde, CH-4125 Riehen, Switzerland

2. www.seminare-ps.net Jane Austen (18th century) Sense and Sensibility Rationality vs. Sensitivity The term „sensitivity“

3. www.seminare-ps.net „The exalted and deplorable family of the highly sensitive is the salt of the earth“ Marcel Proust The salt of the earth

4. www.seminare-ps.net Marilyn MonroeYves Saint Laurent Diana Highly sensitive people

5. www.seminare-ps.net Highly sensitive people Henry Nouwen –The Return of the Prodigal Son –Life of the Beloved –In the name of Jesus

6. www.seminare-ps.net Vincent van Gogh

7. www.seminare-ps.net „I am very sensitive“ - POS  finely tuned to others, tender hearted  understanding, susceptible  intensive emotions  deep perceptions and passions  touched by the beauty of nature, music, art, poetry, film, relationships.  not hardened against the suffering of other people  sensitive for the transcendent.

8. www.seminare-ps.net I am overly sensitive – negative 1  overreacting  vulnerable – easily hurt  reads between the lines  thinks to much - ruminates  introverted and shy  anxious, fearful  not robust / no power reserves  at my limits  everything is coming too close  defenseless

9. www.seminare-ps.net I am overly sensitive – neg 2  often so overwhelmed that I cannot speak  negative perceptions of other people  tendency to overreact  touchy, irritable, moody  easily exhausted  feelings cause physical discomfort  etc.

10. www.seminare-ps.net „The highly sensitive person“ –German psychiatrist W. Klages 1978  Existence between normal psychology and psychopathology.  beyond the psychologically understandable, but do not reach the degree of psychiatric illness.

11. www.seminare-ps.net Sensitive perceptions –causing intensive feelings and reactions  smell  taste  auditory sense  visual sense  touch  synaesthesia  pathological startle reflex according to Klages

12. www.seminare-ps.net Peculiarities of highly sensitive persons  Intensive struggle with verbal expression  increased exhaustion  frequent mood swings, irritability  sexuality and inhibition  paranormal sensitivity according to Klages

13. www.seminare-ps.net When sensitivity turns into illness –negative impact on  ability to enjoy  relationships  ability to work „Neurosis“

14. www.seminare-ps.net The changing meaning of „neurosis“  until 1979: Definition based on the possible causes (mother, early trauma, sexual conflicts)  DSM-III (1980): description of symptoms, the term „neurosis“ is dropped  New term: „Disorder“: e.g. „anxiety disorder“, „obsessive-compulsive disorder“, „dysthymia“ BUT: Problems have remained the same

15. www.seminare-ps.net Descriptive definition of „neurosis“  psychological disorder with anxiety, obsessions, mood swings, increased sensitivity  inhibition, insecurity, conflictuous  reality testing is intact  disorders of somatic functions  reduced performance at work or social role  „difficult“ relationships  symptoms persist or recur  not a transient reaction to stress

16. www.seminare-ps.net Ambivalence Reduced ability to perform Vegetative Complaints Emotional lability Inhibitions Impaired contact Common features

17. www.seminare-ps.net New terms  subclinical disorders  atypical depressions  “masked” depression  subsyndromal disorders  Spectrum Disorders  Subthreshold Disorders

18. www.seminare-ps.net Spectrum Disorders Depression Panic- Agoraphobia Social Phobia Bulimia- Anorexia OCD Migraine - gastro-intestinal evtl ADHD?

19. www.seminare-ps.net Criteria of Spectrum Disorders  Criteria for the classic disorder are not fully present.  Symptoms are either limited or isolated, however combined with depressive mood.  Symptoms lead to impairment in social relations, work performance or other important areas of life.  Symptoms lead to “emotionally loaded relationships” with dependence and social conflict.

20. www.seminare-ps.net Spectrum healthy aspects Disorder suffering threshold Personality problem isolated symptoms subthresholdatypical Core syndrome classic syndrome

21. www.seminare-ps.net Course illness phase chronic Vulnerable personality Stress, Trigger

22. www.seminare-ps.net Development „Vulnerable“ Personality Sensitive Crisis Personality Temperament Psychosocial environment Stress

23. www.seminare-ps.net Sensitive Syndromes Somatization Emotional Instability Depression Exhaustion Ansiety Disorders Phobias Obsessive- Compulsive Disorders Anorexia Bulimia Somatic Syndromes Migraine Gastro- intestinal disorders ILLNESS

24. www.seminare-ps.net Sensitivity and faith  Sensitivity for the spiritual world  Over-sensitive conscience  Anxious towards God and other persons.  Living with tensions

25. www.seminare-ps.net Areas of tension Needs, desires Drives, Impulses Emotions I want to do what is right and good, pleasing to God. *** other ideals ?? I D E A L S “Why do I have to suffer?” General life situation - Social network – Physical /emotional constitution R E A L I T Y External Framework Inner Experience (Sub)cultural rules und limitations

26. www.seminare-ps.net Highly sensitive people Henry Nouwen –The Return of the Prodigal Son –Life of the Beloved –In the name of Jesus

27. www.seminare-ps.net  Political sensitivity – Speaking out against injustice in the world.  Restlessness – struggle for inner peace.  Withdrawal into the world of handicapped persons (L‘Arche community).  Questioning identity in the middle of his life.  Severe crisis and depression.  New beginning. Henri Nouwen

28. www.seminare-ps.net „Oh that I cannot control my feelings and my inner passions! Often I have to let them run their course and just hope that they would not dominate me for too long.“ „I love Jesus, but I would like to keep my independence, although this independence does not grant me real freedom. I love Jesus but I would not want to lose the respect of my fellow professors, although I know that their respect will not contribute to my spiritual growth.“ The Wounded Healer

29. www.seminare-ps.net “His words spoke with special sensitivity to those who had emotionally suffered in their lives. He discovered that he could reach out from his own wounds to the hurts of other people.“ Henri Nouwen

30. Coping with high sensitivity

31. www.seminare-ps.net 1. Find a balance between overactivity and regression! 2. Learn to understand your body‘s language! 3. Accept the limitations of your sensitivity! 4. Do not take everything too personal! 5. Take time to relax and to enjoy! 6. Do not take too much responsibility! 7. Explain your condition to others! 8. Recognize your shadow and work at improving your weaknesses. Kapitel 15 Protecting yourself

32. www.seminare-ps.net A prayer for positive sensitivity  Lord, open my mind and fill me with your wisdom and guidance.  Lord, take out all my fussies and frownies and fill me with your love.  Lord, open my eyes to see all the beautiful things you have made.  Lord open my nose Lord, help me to be a sweet fragrance for you.  Lord, help me always speak your words of love and kindness.  Lord, let me be a light to others for you have filled me with your light.

33. www.seminare-ps.net Literature  Aron E.N. (1996). The Highly Sensitive Person. How to thrive when the world overwhelms you. New York: Broadway.  Aron E.N. (2000). The Highly Sensitive Person in Love. New York: Broadway.  Aron E.N., & Aron A. (1997). Sensory-processing sensitivity and its relation to introversion and emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 73:345–368.  Pfeifer S. (2002). Der sensible Mensch. Leben zwischen Begabung und Verletzlichkeit. Haan: Brockhaus.

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