[buffieann]

I am bipolar, as is my son, and have been dealing with it for years. To be honest not with a whole lot of success. Recently I was researching bipolar disorder when I came across an article written about the highly sensitive person and I was so taken aback. It was if it was written for me. I have always had this need to understand my intense emotion and the way I am because of them. I know a lot about bipolar, I'm positive that I have it but there was always this feeling in me that besides bipolar I was different. Now that I have read most of Elaine Aron's book I am positive that I am also an hsp. I'm so overwhelmed in my life right now everything seems to exhaust me. I am exhausted most of the time with spurts of energy. I wanted to reach out to other people like me, hear their stories, to communicate with people that understand what it's like to be highly sensitive.

[kaliope]

hi buffieann
I think I read about hsp a long long time ago and thought I fit the mold as well but I don't remember anything about it anymore. I am definitely bipolar though...lol...welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome

[pegasus]

Hello buffieann, welcome to Psych Central.

I think a lot of people with mental health issues are highly sensitive people, I think that is because we are more aware of our emotions. I see it as a gift, rather than a hindrance, here is a really good article on this gift! 5 Gifts of Being Highly Sensitive | World of Psychology

You might also like to check out the Bipolar forum.

[buffieann]

Thank you. I will. I appreciate the insight.

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[MyOtherSelf]

Buffieann, Thanks for starting this thread,

It's good to know HSP is an identifiable condition that we can learn about. I've spent so much of my life being called "Over sensitive" or "Touchy", or being told my responses to situations are "un-called for" or "just to get attention".

Man I have a lot to learn! Thanks for the Help Buffieann!

Pegasus-Thanks to you too-I didn't realize there is a special forum for BIPolar, I thought I was on the BiPolar Forums.

[buffieann]

MyOtherSelf I think that the hardest thing for me was not understanding why I react the way I do. Yes some of it is due to being bipolar I know the signs of when mania is setting in or the depression is coming but I could never explain why I pick up on everyone's emotions around me. I know when someone is happy or sad or angry I can feel it when no one else can. Then I have this need to fix it. I can never say no to anyone asking for help. Even when I know I've already got a full plate. And God forbid anyone criticize me even if it is constructive or said out of love. I take it as an attack on me. I could go on and on. I've been told by so many that I'm way to sensitive so much so that I look at it as a flaw in my character. But after reading about hsp I realized it's not a flaw but a gift. My sensitivity has guided me to help others in need, to have a special bond with animals and to think outside the box. I have an extremely open mind. I am great at figuring things out and my kids calls me the "find it queen" I can find just about anything they've lost. I once found my friends keys in the freezer. I know that some are skeptical about hsp but science has proven it's a genetic trait. Even my husband who at first is always skeptical of new things agreed that it described me so well. If your interested read up about it. I googled hsp the highly sensitive person and read everything I could about it. It has helped me understand myself better and understanding is the first step in believing in yourself.

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[Travelinglady]

buffieann, I had a therapist who was highly sensitive, and she recommended the Aron book to me. I am bipolar.

[buffieann]

Hi Travelinglady! I'm almost done with her book! I can relate to all but the being organized and methodical parts. With bipolar and ADHD I'm what you call an orderly mess. Lol.

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[MyOtherSelf]

buffieann, Hi doll, I've been sleeping for the past twp days...after joining this site! Ya'll have given me hope, and I feel a sense of peace.

I'm planning a family get-together for next weekend, and am always hopeful for a wonderful time, with my adult children/grandchildren and my husbands adult children/grandchildren. Some of my most wonderful memories(since we were married 7yrs ago) have been spent with the grandkids. I think I may be a better Nana-than I was a Mom. I wish I could have a 40-year "Do-Over"!! Yet it is what it is.

Is HSP a version of Bi-polar or are they two conditions that parallel each other? I am so very un-informed to all of this and thank Ya'll for catching me up to speed. I feel as though I'm almost old enough to be retired, and just learning how to be an adult. How odd is that? When I think back about all my four adult children went thru, it breaks my heart.
Buffieann, thankyou for offering this info, you Rock!!!

[buffieann]

MyOtherSelf, you made me smile! I really am just learning about hsp. From what I understand it's not unusual for people with bipolar disorder to be highly sensitive but it's not a version of it. I knew I had bipolar disorder but for me it was more than just the bipolar highs and lows. Loud noises and bright lights have always bothered me, drives my husband crazy because I'm constantly turning down the radio in the car. I've never liked crowds - I get cranky when forced to go to the mall. It's so much more than that though. I have to help if I see someone that needs it and I have a hard time understanding why people don't. I've literally given the shirt off my back. But then there's the emotions. I feel them with every fiber of my being.
If it interests you, read Elaine Aron's book "The Hughly Sensitive Person" it's really fascinating and it's taught me a lot about myself. Given me a lot of tools to deal with things, even helps with controlling my bipolar.
I'm new here too! I hope you're able to have your get together and that you get to enjoy every second you can with your family!
Hugs!!


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