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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by McPac on June 8, 2003, at 21:48:12
What is the reason that so many people with mood disorders are so incredibly hypersensitive at times?
Posted by Questionmark on June 9, 2003, at 1:17:16
In reply to Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by McPac on June 8, 2003, at 21:48:12
> What is the reason that so many people with mood disorders are so incredibly hypersensitive at times?
Good question. Maybe:
1) cuz they're so dang moody & neurotic
2) cuz they already hate themselves and have such low self-esteems even before facing criticism or failure
3) cuz they already tend to hate life
Posted by Bill L on June 9, 2003, at 7:03:44
In reply to Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by McPac on June 8, 2003, at 21:48:12
I think that it's all part of the same thing. The chemical imbalance that causes mood disorders manifests as a big package including:
depression
anxiety
inability to concentrate
paranoia
afraid of people
obsessive/compulsiveness
being hypersensitive
etc
Posted by JudyN on June 9, 2003, at 8:28:25
In reply to Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by McPac on June 8, 2003, at 21:48:12
> What is the reason that so many people with mood disorders are so incredibly hypersensitive at times?
> Maybe the mood disorder is a manifestation of a person who is very sensitive in general. I have a mood disorder and I'm 'hypersensitive' but also incredibly intuitive, I 'pick up' on things that the average joe doesn't recognize, I'm conscious of the presence of chemicals that others are unaware of etc., I make connections (social, political,interpersonal, etc) that are missed by most... JudyN
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 9, 2003, at 10:18:59
In reply to Re: Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by JudyN on June 9, 2003, at 8:28:25
Interesting point Judy. I'm very intuitive and it is more a curse than a blessing. I've been accused of being a mind reader before. I'm not. But I read people's body language and reactions very well.
As to hypersensitive the way the poster might have meant it... mood disorders means problems. problems with relationships. problems with interacting with other people. hello... LOL I guess it is frustrating if you post something innocently and end up stepping on someone's toes. Don't take it personal.
Posted by Willow on June 9, 2003, at 10:22:30
In reply to Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by McPac on June 8, 2003, at 21:48:12
I think Judy is on the right track, but it brings to mind which came first the chicken or the egg. I was talking to my father about schizophrenia and saw some similarities to my own disorder. I think alot of it has to do with our sleep. Sleep acts as a restorative for us, with poor sleep ever little noise can become unbearable. The psychologist that I see has explained it to me that the brain is normally able to filter out background stuff, but for some reason I have difficulty with this. But as Judy pointed out, when this doesn't affect us in a negative annoying manner it can be a positive. Right now I'm enjoying listening to the birds outside and the wind rustling the leaves. Last night I went to sleep hearing a symphony, but to those who could have turned it off there would have been silence, others just the rain, but I heard awhole orchestra.
Yeah, i'm cerifiable ...
Willow
Posted by McPac on June 9, 2003, at 10:42:53
In reply to Re: Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by Bill L on June 9, 2003, at 7:03:44
Bill, I also think there is a physiological reason for the overly sensitive symptoms. When the underlying physiology is corrected, the extreme sensitivity to others' remarks and comments seems to greatly diminish.
Posted by noa on June 9, 2003, at 15:50:02
In reply to Re: Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by JudyN on June 9, 2003, at 8:28:25
I think it also has to do with some sort of difficulty regulating how we process information and stimuli. I call it the Flaming Amygdala problem. The amygdala responds instantly to perceived danger in the environment. It helps us survive. But sometimes it gets our reactivity in gear way faster than our ability to think rationally about how real the danger is and what our coping options might be.
But all that may be due to the dysregulation of neurotransmitters. I don't understand the brain functioning well enough to know.
But also, in another thread discussion--perhaps it was on one of the other PB boards, I don't remember--we were talking about "sensory integration" and how people react to stimuli. Some of us are sensitive to sounds and sights and feel out of sorts when there is too much going on. There is a book about adolescents and mood disorders that includes treatments like sensory integration, and looks interesting. :"Bipolar Disorders: A Guide to Helping Children and Adolescents" by Mitzi Walsh. YOu can see an excerpt here:
http://www.patientcenters.com/bipolar/news/non_talk.html
Posted by lillabelle on June 14, 2003, at 3:24:13
In reply to Re: Mood Disorders and extreme sensitivity, posted by JudyN on June 9, 2003, at 8:28:25
In response to Judy's post, I can say that I too am 'hypersensitive', intuitive and creative as well as bipolar2. I like to think of myself as an original thinker. However I have difficulties concentrating and because of depression getting motivated.( I currently take 100mg of lamictal with 200mg of serzone and 50-100mg of trazadone at night to help me sleep. I've also re-added 25mg of sulpride to help with the 'raciness'I get from lamictal.) What meds do you take Judy? How is your mental health these days? Any and all responses so welcome.......Lillabelle
This is the end of the thread.
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