What is the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic method (with examples). The meaning of the word "sensitivity

When the words " hypersensitivity», « sensitive person", And even the term that has already become commonplace sounds - VChL (highly sensitive people), then it becomes immediately clear - we are talking about something that goes beyond the average, a certain statistical majority.

Many, having heard “increased sensitivity” and “sensitive person”, imagine a kind of muslin lady, regardless of the real sex, which faints “from an excess of feelings” a little.

Someone believes that all this is a whim, and it’s enough to “get together”, “stop wrapping yourself up,” and immediately this sensitivity will pass. All this, they say, from spoiling.

Others, of whom a minority, believe that increased sensitivity is a gift, and a sensitive person is most likely talented and inclined to creativity.

Let’s try to figure out what VLF really is, and, most importantly, how to live with it among those whose sensitivity level is mostly lower.

What is hypersensitivity and who are VChL?

Obviously, if there is an increased sensitivity, there is also a certain average, we can say - a statistical majority, something that many are accustomed to starting from, as from the norm.

Sensitivity in general is the ability of the human nervous system to perceive and respond to various stimuli coming from outside. If you do not delve into the structure of the nervous system and physics, then in general we can say that human sensitivity exists within certain limits.

For example, a person’s hearing recognizes sounds in the range of 20 - 20,000 hertz, or a person’s light sensitivity is in the range of 380 - 760 nm, but everything that is inside these frames has very individual shades.

For example, to one person the conversation of the neighbors behind the wall will seem like a light, barely noticeable noise. The other will not hear anything at all. To the third - every word will be heard. So it can be with color and with other sensations - taste, smells, touch. So it can be with a sensation of pain - any doctor will tell you that the pain threshold in a person is individual.

At the same time, researchers note that the world's population is about 15% - VChL, highly sensitive people. The rest have the same average sensitivity, which is usually perceived as the norm. Rarely, there are cases of complete or partial loss of sensitivity, which are mainly associated with diseases of the central nervous system or with severe psychological shocks.

Why is that? Here, scientists so far agree that increased sensitivity is an innate characteristic. How much hereditary factors determine it is difficult to say, because in some cases one can observe the appearance of children with high sensitivity in the family of parents with average indicators.

True, no one will say for sure whether even one of the parents of the child really lacked hypersensitivity, or whether he simply actively suppressed it and skillfully hid it. There are not so many studies on this subject yet, but so far several obvious signs of VChF can be identified.

Signs of VChL

Physical

This is the case when the conversation of the neighbors behind the wall seems loud and distinct to you, unlike the others. You are annoyed by pungent odors, too bright light, you are susceptible to light touches, distinguish the slightest shades of taste, temperature, your body responds quite noticeably to many interventions - medications, caffeine, other psychoactive and stimulating substances, you have a reduced pain threshold (pain comes earlier , from less noticeable incentives than for most).

Emotional

You have an increased sense of empathy, you are quite easily imbued with the situation of another person and easily “pick up” his emotions, you can easily feel the condition of the people around you, sometimes - regardless of your desire, you easily feel the atmosphere of some place, you are more susceptible to art, you are able to experience strong emotions from the "little things."

Intelligent

You carefully think over and weigh your words, any incoming information, you tend to reflect on it, you have increased attention to details, nuances (for example, you notice grammatical errors and typos, are susceptible to all kinds of sloppiness, carelessness in the environment that others may not notice for a long time at all), you are able to see many meanings in any external object.

This division, of course, is conditional - it is impossible to disassemble a person as a mechanism into parts, therefore, of course, everything is connected. But a sensitive person is not necessarily the one who has all his senses at the limit.

Say, he may have very high auditory and visual sensitivity, while he may exhibit a normal pain threshold or, say, not show high sensitivity with respect to drugs. Or, for example, a person has high empathy, but he is not inclined to go deep into intellectual meanings.

Therefore, now we’ll talk about the nuances of high sensitivity, touch upon common myths about sensitivity, talk about how this is related to other aspects of a person’s psychological characteristics - for example, introversion / extraversion, psychotype, temperament, degree of neuroticism, and can whether it be a symptom of some other condition, illness.

Sensitive person: a special psychological characteristic

In general, hypersensitivity is not an inborn characteristic of a person, but a consequence of certain conditions of the body. For example, sensitivity can increase in the presence of chronic lack of sleep, constant fatigue, severe stress (as, however, a partial decrease in sensitivity can also be a reaction to stress, as if “freezing” in the presence of very strong and indigestible feelings).

Hypersensitivity may accompany some mental disorders and somatic diseases, especially those associated with the central nervous system. But this mention is only so that you can decide for yourself whether your characteristic is permanent or temporary. Here we will talk mainly about those whose hypersensitivity is constant, you yourself remember this all your life, and you have not observed any other serious deviations in the field of health.

So far, I have not come across studies in which it would be clearly possible to trace which psychotypes more often correlate with increased sensitivity. However, our own practice gives enough reason to assert: hypersensitivity is neither the fifth type of temperament, nor any special psychotype; VChL are found among representatives of different temperaments and psychotypes.

It can be said that some psychotypes appear among HFM more often than others, but a clear correlation has not yet been traced. That is, a sensitive person can be born that way with any other character traits.

Many suggest that VChL are more likely to be introversion. This is understandable logically: a sensitive person needs more time to recover from contact with the outside world, because external stimuli act on him more than others, and he needs to disconnect from strong stimulation more often.

But I also met extroverts among VChL. Yes, such a person also needed to retire from time to time, to have time to recover, but the focus of attention of such a person was still directed to the outside world, and not to the inner one, like introverts.

With temperament, too, it is not possible to establish a clear connection. It would be logical to assume that people with fast excitement and slow inhibition are more consistent with RFL, in other words, they are easy to start, but difficult to calm down (which are melancholy), but it is more like speculation about what a sensitive person should be, or It could be in the opinion of the average majority, and not on reality.

And the logic can be completely different. Sometimes hypersensitivity fits quite well, say, in phlegmatic, which in appearance does not look like a sensitive person at all. However, the phlegmatic temperament creates good protection for the carrier of delicate sensitivities, and it even blooms inside it with a magnificent color, since outwardly it threatens little.

In general, here we can say that increased sensitivity is not directly related to specific features of the psychotype, temperament, or focus of attention, it exists as a separate psychophysiological characteristic embedded in other personality parameters.

VChL: thinking and interpretation

But a person does not just feel feelings, he also interprets them. For example, the fact that he reacts more strongly to people around and their condition, needs more rest from this stimulation, he can interpret in different ways.

He can calmly say to himself: “Yes, for me today it’s too much, I want to stay in silence” - and calmly retire. Or he can start to wind up himself in the spirit of "all people are like people, but I'm not like that, probably something is wrong with me, since everything starts to annoy me so quickly ...."

Often, VChL are confused with people who are prone to anxiety, suspiciousness and thinking out on this basis for others. But heightened sensitivity and anxiety, reinforced by fantasies, are two different things.

A sensitive person will be able to grasp the real state of another person - for example, he will be able to feel that his boss has already entered the office irritated and tense, and the further separation of employees only stemmed from his initial state. Therefore, a sensitive person is unlikely to attribute this to his own account. However, he may be hurt for another reason - too loud, too bright, too much.

But an anxious person just might not feel the real state of his superiors, he is mainly occupied with his experiences, and therefore he will easily attribute the separation to himself, and then he will worry for days about his allegedly worthlessness and unluckiness.

It is also easy to confuse people who know how to demonstrate their feelings loudly and vividly (it is not at all necessary that the feelings are sincere, and that they even exist) with VChL. But demonstration and real feeling are very different things. VChL just do not rush so quickly and especially so loudly share their feelings: the demonstration attracts attention even more, forces to digest a lot more external stimuli and further exacerbates the fatigue from their own reactions.

And here it’s very logical to mention a few common myths about sensitivity.

VChL: myths and reality

Myth: sensitive person is weak

In fact, rather the opposite. Among them, there are many generally strong people who possess their feelings much better sometimes than the representatives of the average majority.

Why? Yes, because from childhood such a child understands that he is different from others, that his feelings are sometimes not taken seriously by others. Parents and other adults are not always ready to take feelings (and even more so - so subtle!) Into account and sometimes even declare them abnormal.

Naturally, in response to this, the child develops protection. And one of them is the formation of the ability to track and control your emotions. Yes, sometimes this leads to sad options - a habit is formed to suppress one’s feelings, low self-esteem, a feeling of constant incomprehensibility and rejection.

But increased sensitivity gives its bonus, especially with high intelligence: after all, a mass of feelings inaccessible to others is a mass of information, it is a more complete and rich knowledge of the world, it is a more subtle insight into the essence of human motives and relationships, and as a result - a more effective strategy of action, and in the long term - a more comfortable place in life.

In general, HFM are less characteristic of reckless acts “on emotions”, they are more likely to think about the nuances of their reactions and behavior, they can more effectively cope with difficult life situations, if only because life taught them how to cope with their feelings very early less sensitive world.

Myth: a sensitive person is open, kind and therefore very vulnerable.

This is also from the realm of fantasy. VChL are most often inclined to protect their feelings from others, at least experience teaches them. Not every closed person belongs to the category of VChL, but we can say that among the VChL those who are considered to be closed are many. And, especially having experience of different perceptions of themselves, VChL are very selective in communication.

The ability to empathy, which, of course, is in large part among VChL - not a reason for kindness and, especially, naivety. The experience of subtle feeling can be applied in different ways, but think about it: subtle sensitivity involves the sensation of all spectra.

And this means that a sensitive person feels not only wonderful feelings of positive people. In principle, they are not enough in the world, to say the least. And it turns out that the main content of empathy is very different, and not always a positive state of people.

What conclusions can the RFL draw from this? - yes any. You can find yourself in a helping profession, to build on this empathy, to give it a place. And you can hate the whole human race for the constant violation of borders and for the very joyless inner content. And for example, to become a charming villain such as Hannibal Lecter, who, in addition to killing, enjoys delicate dishes from their liver or brain, decorates the house with exquisite paintings and listens to rare performances of the opera.

Therefore, in terms of moral guidelines, VChL can be at any pole of society, and sensitivity will only tell their actions certain shades, but it does not limit their choice in terms of their own ethics.

Myth: sensitive people - talented and smart.

This is partly true, of course, because hypersensitivity in itself is an indication for certain types of activity in which it is needed - many areas of art and science (especially where intuition matters), generally the creative environment, helping professions - psychologists, doctors, social workers.

But at the same time, increased sensitivity also imposes certain limitations - for example, a sensitive person cannot always work in those conditions in which the majority can work. And sometimes this becomes an obstacle to career development in a standard way accepted in society and a particular profession.

I knew people who had increased sensitivity combined with low intelligence. This, perhaps, is the most difficult of all VChL, because there is not enough resource to realize its uniqueness, while they also do not always succeed in fully integrating into the world of ordinary people.

To summarize, we can say that VChL are just people with a separate characteristic, which is combined with different personality characteristics. Of course, increased sensitivity, to one degree or another, leaves its mark on the formation of a psychotype, on interaction with temperament, and on behavioral habits.

Vertically on the graph of the frequency response shows the sound pressure level, in world practice it is expressed in decibels (dB). Values \u200b\u200bmay be relative or absolute in SPL (Sound pressure level). If the values \u200b\u200bare indicated in the SPL and it is indicated at what voltage or power level, then you can calculate the sensitivity of the headphones. Knowing the sensitivity of the headphones, you can calculate what volume the headphones will play when a certain signal level is applied.

Different headphones, when applying the same signal level from the amplifier, play at different volumes. High sensitivity headphones play loudly, while low sensitivity headphones play quietly.

The graph shows headphones with different sensitivity, for a further example, we take the resistance of the headphones equal to 32 Ohms. This is important in order to relate power to the amplifier output and sensitivity, expressed in relation to power, and not voltage. Below is a visual sign.

Sensitivity Dependence
	high sensitivity headphones (green)	earphones with above average sensitivity (yellow)	medium sensitivity headphones (red)
to stress   at 1 kHz AT	133	121	108
Sensitivity in relation to power   at 1 kHz mW	118	107	94
The supplied voltage to the headphones to achieve a volume of 120 dB, V	0.23	0.8	3.6
The supplied power to the headphones to achieve a volume of 120 dB, mW	1.6	3	405
The ratio of the duration of the amplifier from the same battery	1 time	2 times	250 times
If the amplifier has a maximum voltage level for 32 ohms of 0.3 V / 3 mW, then the maximum headphone volume will be equal to, dB SPL	122	111	98

The sensitivity with respect to voltage is taken directly from the frequency response graph, where the lines of the graph intersect 1 kHz, the value in dB is taken on the vertical scale. In relation to power, the value is separately recalculated. Knowledge of sensitivity is necessary both for calculating the maximum volume that headphones can develop when using a particular amplifier, and for calculating power consumption.

For conversion of sensitivity from dB / V to dB / mW and vice versa, the following table is proposed.

Sensitivity ratio dB / V and dB / mW
	95 dB / mW	98 dB / mW	100 dB / mW	105 dB / mW	110 dB / mW
12 Ohm, dB / V	114	117	119	124	130
16 ohm, dB / V	113	116	118	123	128
24 Ohm, dB / V	111	114	116	121	126
32 Ohm, dB / V	110	113	115	120	125
50 Ohm, dB / V	108	111	113	118	123
85 Ohm, dB / V	106	109	111	116	121
100 Ohm, dB / V	105	108	110	115	120
300 Ohm, dB / V	100	103	105	110	115
600 Ohm, dB / V	97	100	102	107	112

If the headphones on the 1-kHz frequency response graph cross vertically the value 125 at 1 kHz and the headphone impedance is 50 Ohms at 1 kHz, then look at the line for 50 Ohms. The value of 125 is visible in the column 110 dB / mW, which is the sensitivity of these headphones in the ratio of dB / mW. If it is known that the headphones have a resistance of 85 Ohms and a sensitivity of 105 dB at 1 kHz, then we look at the line for 85 Ohms and the column 105 dB / mW, we get the value 116 dB / V. At this level, the vertical frequency response will cross the frequency response graph at 116 dB vertically at 1 kHz.

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In the passport characteristics, the sensitivity of the headphones is often written. However, due to the lack of a strict standard for the design of the measuring stand, the sensitivity of different manufacturers is not comparable. For example, Sennheiser CX 550 Style II and AKG IP 2 have the same sensitivity, but the passport data shows 114 dB / 1V at 1 kHz for CX 550 and 123 dB / 1V at 1 kHz for IP 2. At our stand, the sensitivity of the headphones was 128 dB / 1 V at 1 kHz. A logical question arises: if the data are so different, is it worth paying attention to sensitivity? Because Since each manufacturer often uses one stand for certain types of headphones, due to our measurements we can make a relative correction for sensitivity. It should also be noted that different manufacturers measure sensitivity at different frequencies, for example, Sennheiser and AKG give sensitivity relative to 1 kHz, and Beyrdinamic according to IEC 60268-7 standard - 500 Hz, which gives different results with different frequency response of the headphones. Also, the manufacturer can indicate the average value for a specific frequency range or vice versa the peak value over the entire frequency range. The manufacturer can bring sensitivity adjusted for the volume of the sound presented not for harmonic, but for a noise signal. In this case, the sensitivity value will be lower by 9 dB.

High sensitivity values \u200b\u200bwith respect to 1B should not be scary. If the sensitivity of the headphones / earplugs was 130 dB / V, while the headphones have a resistance of 32 Ohms, then in terms of mW this will be only 105 dB, a similar figure can be seen on many boxes. For example, take a look at the maximum output voltage of an average player.

Most players with a low-impedance load give out only 0.2 ~ 0.3V, which allows you to develop pressure in these headphones only up to 110 dB. However, this value is true for the sine, and for a musical signal, taking into account its energy density, the value will drop by about 9 ~ 12 dB and will be no more than 101 dB. In the subway, the noise level is at 95 dB. It turns out that the inserts / plugs will play only 6 dB louder. An additional difference will be given by soundproofing of plugs of the closed type.

It is also important that the sensitivity gives a fairly rough indication of how loud the headphones will play.

The example shows headphones with a formally identical sensitivity of 114 dB / V for both 500 Hz and 1 kHz. However, it is clear that in one model low and high frequencies are raised on the frequency response (orange graph), and in the other, the low and high frequencies are blocked up (blue graph). As a result, the first headphones will subjectively play loudly, and the second will be quiet, despite the formal equal sensitivity. For this reason, you need to focus on graphs with frequency response, while sensitivity data without frequency response may not show the full picture.

The stand as such can be adjusted in different ways, by noise in an open or nominal space, by a sine or other signal. Depending on the method, the values \u200b\u200bwill vary, and the differences can reach up to 10 dB or more. Preference is given to subjective examination, when tuning on sines in the low-frequency region and narrow-band noise at high. Our stand is calibrated for pink noise with a frequency range of 300 Hz - 2 kHz with subjective comparison of the signal volume between the headphones and the speaker system.

This allows you to evaluate the volume of certain headphones in accordance with the speaker systems. According to this method, it was previously recommended to subjectively calculate the frequency response of headphones in GOST 28728-89 (direct measurement method is the comparative frequency response of headphones in a free field).

It is worth paying attention to the fact that there is no rigid standard as such and this allows manufacturers to indicate data for marketing reasons. You can indicate greater sensitivity for the best sales of a particular model, as more sensitive, or you can underestimate the value that health authorities would not reproach for hearing aids in youth. Also, some manufacturers may cite the sensitivity of the headphones based on the sensitivity of the capsule, not taking into account that the final sensitivity of the headphone assembly will be different. Therefore, the data on the boxes should be approached with caution.

We offer measurement results made under the same conditions, which allows data to be correlated with each other. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the sensitivity for large headphones and earplugs / earplugs is measured under the same conditions, which allows you to compare the sensitivity of the headphones with each other.

One cannot but mention the measurement error. Depending on the fit of the headphones, the final value may fluctuate around 3-4 dB. For full-size headphones, the resulting frequency response is the average between the frequency response for the right and left headphones. Thus, the data looks like 103 ± 2 dB / V.

There are studies whose results determine the relationship between volume and values \u200b\u200bin SPL

SPL values \u200b\u200bin dB
Sound / Volume	db
Hearing threshold	0
Watch ticking	10
Whisper	20
The sound of a wall clock	30
Muffled conversation	40
Quiet street	50
Ordinary conversation	60
Noisy street	70
Hazardous level	80
Pneumatic hammer	90
Blacksmith shop	100
Loud music (at a disco, concert)	110
Pain threshold	120
Riveting, siren	130
Reactive plane	150
Deadly level	180
Noise weapon	200

These values \u200b\u200brefer to the volume levels for speakers, taking into account damage to internal human tissues from low frequencies. In headphones, low frequencies act only on the eardrum and do not affect other parts of the body - the heart, liver, muscle tissue, etc. Therefore, the threshold for maximum volume in the headphones is generally higher, but you should still remember that long listening at high volume will not bring any good. The table also shows values \u200b\u200bfor harmonic signals. Because the spectral density of the musical signal is close to noise, then in general the volume of the musical signal decreases by 9 dB (from the ratio of the energy density of the sine and noise, for the sine - 3 dB, for noise - 12 dB).

The presentation of voltage sensitivity is convenient in that you can visually evaluate the dependence of the volume on the applied voltage. A step of 6 dB gives a voltage change in half. The dependence of the volume change on the supplied voltage is logarithmic. When choosing headphones, we can also conclude that if headphones A have a sensitivity of 100 dB and headphones B have 106 dB, then headphones A will play at the same volume as headphones B, if you set the amplifier’s volume for them twice as high.

Ushakov's Dictionary

Sensitivity

sensitivitysensitivity many   no, wives (books.).

1. distracted. noun   to. Nerve sensitivity. The sensitivity of a young man. The sensitivity of the device.

2.   Sensitive nature, sensitive nature. “The thought that my tears prove my sensitivity gave me pleasure and joy.” L. Tolstoy.

The beginnings of modern science. Thesaurus

Sensitivity

(in biology) the property of any organism (prokaryotes, fungi, plants and animals) to perceive irritations from the external environment and from its own tissues and organs. Special cells of higher animals - receptors - have a high selective sensitivity to various stimuli, but are not sensitive to some, for example, radiation.

Dictionary of Russian Antonyms

Sensitivity

immunity

Glossary of environmental terms and definitions

Sensitivity

the body's ability to respond to changes in environmental factors. A high degree of C. is characteristic of stenobionts. Distinguish between species, age, gender, individual, etc.

Philosophical Dictionary (Cont-Sponville)

Sensitivity

Sensitivity

♦ Sensibilité

The ability to feel. Sensitivity can denote the phenomenon of physical (sensation), emotional (feeling) and even intellectual order (healthy feeling, that is, an adequate perception of reality). After Kant, we used to consider sensitivity as a purely passive, receptive property. “The ability (receptivity) to receive representations in the way that objects affect us is called sensuality. Therefore, through sensuality, objects are given to us, and only it gives us contemplation; objects are thought by reason, and concepts arise from reason ”(“ Critique of Pure Reason ”,“ Transcendental Aesthetics ”, § 1). However, only the spirit is passive here. As for the body, it is actively doing its job, which is the reaction to external or internal irritations. That is why we wake up from light, noise or pain. Sensitivity never sleeps. Feelings are the labor of the body and the rest of the spirit.

Thesaurus of Russian business vocabulary

Sensitivity

Syn: susceptibility

Ant: immunity, insensibility

encyclopedic Dictionary

Sensitivity

the property of animals and humans to perceive irritations from the external environment and from their own tissues and organs. In animals with a nervous system, specialized sensitive cells (receptors) have a high selective sensitivity to various stimuli. The main types of sensitivity: tactile (touch), pain, temperature, muscular-articular, vibration, pressure, sensitivity of internal organs.

In modern society, human sensitivity is often seen as a negative trait of character. This is because many do not know exactly what the word really means. As a rule, sensitive people are attributed nervousness, weakness, inability to cope with problems. In physiology and psychology, the term "sensitivity" is defined differently.

Sensitivity in physiology is the ability to perceive irritations from the external environment and from our own tissues. Human skin responds to irritation caused by activation of certain receptors. The main types of sensitivity: tactile, painful, temperature, muscular-articular, vibrational. Depending on the sensations, the brain receives the necessary information about the world around us.

Psychologists equate a person’s sensitivity to the ability to feel, express their emotions. The more sensitive a person is, the brighter his experiences are.

Sensitivity development

Sensitivity is manifested when communicating with people. Psychologists say that a certain innate sensitivity is also characteristic of infants: they feel hunger, cold, moisture, and respond to loneliness. However, it is impossible to compare these feelings of infants with adult sensitivity. Over time, a person gains experience that allows him to understand and perceive the world around him. Thus, sensitivity can be developed.

Why do you need to be a sensitive person?

Sensitivity is not only an increased vulnerability. It is necessary for a person to develop a personality, gain experience, etc.

Feel yourself

Modern man often does not understand what he really wants. He is forced to constantly adapt to changing circumstances and living conditions (often one and the other has nothing to do with his true needs). There can be only one way out of this situation - you need to understand yourself. Perhaps then a person more often will do not what others expect from him, but what he wants.

Feel around

In everyday life, people cry, laugh, show affection for others, quarrel, feel sad, rejoice, etc. The expression of emotions has both biological and social significance. Human relationships and social connections are largely based on emotions. For various reasons, each of us sometimes has to communicate with unpleasant people - such communication does not bring joy. Pleasure delivers only sincere communication. It is a sensitive person who is more capable of sincere relationships. It is always nice to talk with such a person.

The desire to be sensitive is very popular today. People often strive to become sensitive in order to communicate more easily and have more friends. For psychotherapists - specialists in group dynamics and other areas of psychotherapy - sensitivity is the goal of their therapy. Sensitivity Training (Sensitivity Training) is an integral part of managerial training. In Western countries, various institutions funded by family life and upbringing specialists have promoted sensitivity as a way to resolve many family problems and conflicts. Some sects lure people with promises that joining this religious organization will help them become more sensitive, better understand themselves and others.

Today, the concept of "sensitivity" is very fashionable in the Western world. This suggests that many people have a great need for communication and respect from others, try to better understand the feelings and needs of loved ones, pay more attention to nature and the environment. Many people need to learn how to be sensitive.

If you are an overly sensitive and gullible person, then you can become a victim of "well-wishers" who can take advantage of your trustfulness and need for human warmth and participation. Therefore, be careful and do not trust your feelings to strangers who often need only your money.

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Everyone has a moment of special sensitivity: disproportionate resentment, vulnerability, doubts in their abilities and competencies. And also - sentimentality and tearfulness, a sense of hostility of the outside world. And this is quite normal. The aggravation of feelings can be caused by life crises or be one of the main features of a person’s psychotype.

What is hypersensitivity?

Sensitivity in psychophysiology is inextricably linked with the senses. Psychologist and philosopher A.N. Leont'ev proved that sensitivity, as a response to external stimuli, is associated with emotion and initially constituted a single whole with it. Hypersensitivity in this sense is a necessary property of a living organism that improves adaptation to the outside world. The criterion for the appearance of the psyche as such. And - the basis of reflexes.

In psychology, sensitivity is called sensitivity. This is a manifestation of self-doubt, vulnerability, shyness, self-criticism, feelings of inferiority. Like any character trait, it helps to attribute a person’s personality to a certain psychological type. For example, the psychiatrist A.E. Lichko singled her out as one of the accentuations of character that he considered “weak points” of the psyche.

A heightened emotional sensitivity can really interfere with getting happiness from life.

Social ultrahigh sensitivity suggests: the presence of self-criticism, constant self-comparison with more successful people, fear of communication and social activity. Irresistible fear of any situations, excessive demands on themselves and the ensuing from this.

But the destructive consequences of sensitivity should be distinguished from positive ones. Experts highlight age-related sensitivity, which helps mental maturation in children. It is assumed that in adulthood, increased sensitivity during crises of certain life cycles (or age) are favorable periods for a qualitative change in personality. Only if you do not delve into depressing thoughts, but with the help of keen sensitivity and strong emotions, to understand your achievements and new opportunities.

Sensitivity consists of:

From the adequate adoption of all parties of their own character.
From the ability to notice little things and details in the behavior of others and understand their meaning. Behind external manifestations see the essence.
From understanding the type of life situation, etiquette and roles in each case. Using sensitivity and connecting experience and logic.

Often they want to develop the sensitivity of the senses: vision, hearing, smell. To expand their capabilities. Perhaps a more subtle “sincerity” based on subconscious psychological mechanisms is the source and catalyst of creativity and creativity, increased joy and success in communication.

Reasons for Hypersensitivity

Excessive vulnerability and heightened perception can be:

Permanent property resulting from:

Life experience or education. Adverse situation exacerbated predisposition. This may be a lack of love or care on the part of parents, emotional rejection, or hyper-custody. Over the years, this sensitivity decreases.
Heredity. In 20% of people, the central nervous system captures irritations that most simply do not notice. This is due to the influence of a special gene that increases the production of the “stress hormone” - norepinephrine, which is involved in the transfer of data between neurons. And also with a high level of oxytocin, which as a “hormone of love and affection” strengthens the skills of “social reasoning”.

Temporary increase in susceptibility under the influence of:

Tipping points, crises.
Stress
Depressive conditions.
Diseases: general, neurological and mental.

The phenomenon of hypersensitivity has not been fully studied. And fragmentary observations and studies make it clear that such a feature can ensure the consistency and success of the individual. Unless, of course, is associated with mental pathologies.

How to use sensitivity for our own benefit?

Sensitivity, as part of the emotional and social intelligence (the ability to "feel the environment") of a person, helps in communication. If not accompanied by fear of the new, anxiety, prejudice, fear, painful interpretation of what is felt.

In order for increased sensitivity to work for the owner, and not against, you should learn to control your emotions, turn them from enemies into allies, balance between subtlety of perception and self-confidence, perseverance and common sense. What should be done to use sensitivity for our own benefit?

Accept hypersensitivity as part of it. Whatever it is - an innate property, the result of the influence of the environment or a life change. To comprehend that denying part of yourself is fraught with mental problems and psychosomatic health disorders.
Conduct introspection. Psychologists advise to have an "emotional diary":

In which to write down your feelings in detail, and then create a retrospective: which led to such a reaction.
Give names to overwhelming feelings in it, and then, for 2-3 minutes, recall all the events that “pull” these emotions from the past. Then, analyze the relationships and draw conclusions on what to do next time in such circumstances.
To analyze a specific event, given that it "seemed" - is not always what it is. Do not attribute your thoughts to other people, their actions and actions may be completely unrelated to your person.
During the analysis of sensations, do not engage in self-flagellation and self-criticism. A close friend, you would not make a complaint, why not treat yourself the same way? If you could not cope with emotions, then try to change the attitude towards them. "Allow" them, justify. Or just feel sorry for yourself.

Do not let the “shortcuts” be attached to you. If someone called you indecisive, cowardly or "crybaby," disagree. Rethink when rising above a situation. Perhaps at some points such character traits appear, but in 90% of cases this emotion is not the main one. Do not get hung up on the opinions of others and do not be offended by the statements of others. Set your self-esteem yourself, give yourself the right to react emotionally not as usual. In the end, all people are unique.
If you depend on the opinions of loved ones, try to overcome co-dependence. Say no, prioritize your needs, train self-confidence, get rid of "" and shyness.
Learn to concentrate and highlight specific feelings from an emotional vortex. To share information flows, because sometimes the sensation that has arisen can be the result of speculation, and not the situation itself.
Determine what physiological changes an uncontrolled emotion causes. Go "from the opposite": fight with her, and not with feeling.
Do not personalize criticisms. The fact that with increased sensitivity is perceived as a rebuke, in fact, it may turn out to be a sensible remark, advice that will help in your growth. Learn to determine, and from mistakes - draw conclusions, not generalizations.
Guilt, reproach and self-anger are not the best motivators. Try instead of the words “should” and “should” to find other arguments. Correct moral demands on yourself and others.
Do not make hasty conclusions based on overwhelming sensations. Instead of speculation, negative internal dialogs, “logical leaps,” try just talking to people about troubling circumstances.
Be more active in communication. More specifically express feelings and desires to other people. Ask more questions to clarify your situation and relationship right away.
Learn to disengage. Try meditation, aromatherapy.

With anxiety, irritability, anxiety - ethereal, ilyan-ylang, juniper, roses, lavender, sandalwood will help.
With fears and self-doubt - tea tree, vetiver, rose, violet.
In depression, citrus fruits.

Use your favorite scent in calm and happy moments. And when you feel negative experiences, the aroma will help reduce them.

Listen to yourself, because sensitivity is the basis. To make a complete picture of a person, you have to spend a lot of time on contacts, information processing. Sensitives understand people faster. But subject to conscious correction of impressions. Barriers that distort responses to stimuli should be eliminated. If this does not succeed on its own, then going to the psychologist will be the right decision to find harmony and use sensitivity for your own benefit.

   March 30, 2014