Transcript Sensitivity - A new concept for Counselling - seminare

Dr. Samuel Pfeifer
Klinik Sonnenhalde, CH-4125 Riehen, Switzerland
When
Sensitivity
turns into
illness
www.seminare-ps.net
The term „sensitivity“
Jane Austen (18th century)
Sense and Sensibility
Rationality vs. Sensitivity
www.seminare-ps.net
The salt of the earth
„The exalted and
deplorable family of the
highly sensitive is the salt
of the earth“
Marcel Proust
www.seminare-ps.net
Highly sensitive people
Diana
Marilyn Monroe
Yves Saint Laurent
www.seminare-ps.net
Highly sensitive people
Henry Nouwen
– The Return of the
Prodigal Son
– Life of the Beloved
– In the name of Jesus
www.seminare-ps.net
Vincent van Gogh
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.
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
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.
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.
www.seminare-ps.net
Sensitive perceptions
– causing intensive feelings and reactions
smell
taste
auditory sense
visual sense
touch
synaesthesia
pathological startle reflex
www.seminare-ps.net
according to Klages







Peculiarities of highly sensitive persons
Intensive struggle with verbal expression
increased exhaustion
frequent mood swings, irritability
sexuality and inhibition
paranormal sensitivity
www.seminare-ps.net
according to Klages





When sensitivity turns into illness
– negative impact on
 ability to enjoy
 relationships
 ability to work
„Neurosis“
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
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
www.seminare-ps.net
Common features
Ambivalence
Impaired
contact
Inhibitions
Vegetative
Complaints
Emotional
lability
Reduced
ability to
perform
www.seminare-ps.net
New terms






subclinical disorders
atypical depressions
“masked” depression
subsyndromal disorders
Spectrum Disorders
Subthreshold Disorders
www.seminare-ps.net
Spectrum Disorders
Depression
BulimiaAnorexia
OCD
Social
Phobia
PanicAgoraphobia
Migraine gastro-intestinal
evtl ADHD?
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.
www.seminare-ps.net
Spectrum
healthy aspects
Disorder
suffering
threshold
subthreshold
atypical
• Personality problem
• isolated symptoms
www.seminare-ps.net
classic syndrome
Core
syndrome
Course
illness phase
Vulnerable personality
Stress, Trigger
www.seminare-ps.net
chronic
Development
Personality
Temperament
Psychosocial
environment
„Vulnerable“
Personality
Stress
Sensitive Crisis
www.seminare-ps.net
Sensitive Syndromes
Somatization
Emotional
Instability
Depression
Exhaustion
Anorexia
Ansiety
Disorders
Phobias
ObsessiveCompulsive
Disorders
www.seminare-ps.net
Bulimia
ILLNESS
Somatic
Syndromes
Migraine
Gastrointestinal
disorders
Sensitivity and faith
 Sensitivity for the spiritual world
 Over-sensitive conscience
 Anxious towards God and other persons.
 Living with tensions
www.seminare-ps.net
Areas of tension
Inner
Experience
IDEALS
I want to do what is right
and good, pleasing to God.
*** other ideals ??
Needs, desires
Drives, Impulses
Emotions
(Sub)cultural
rules und
limitations
REALITY
“Why do I have to suffer?”
General life situation Social network – Physical
/emotional constitution
www.seminare-ps.net
External
Framework
Highly sensitive people
Henry Nouwen
– The Return of the
Prodigal Son
– Life of the Beloved
– In the name of Jesus
www.seminare-ps.net
Henri Nouwen
 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.
www.seminare-ps.net
The Wounded Healer
„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.“
www.seminare-ps.net
Henri Nouwen
“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.“
www.seminare-ps.net
Coping with
high sensitivity
Kapitel 15
Protecting yourself
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.
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.
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.
www.seminare-ps.net
Download this presentation from
www.seminare-ps.net
www.seminare-ps.net