firecat

kshandra pointed to this quote about depression.

Interesting. Everyone seems to be agreeing with it, but it's not all that similar to how I experience what I've called depression.

What I've called chronic depression includes a tendency to become...easily overstimulated. Sensory stimuli start feeling like sandpaper on my nerves, and I have to retreat into simplicity. If there's no way to physically retreat, I withdraw from what's going on around me.

I like intense sensations and feelings but I tend not to seek out as many such experiences as most other people I know. A little goes a long way. That's why I've tended to call it depression: because I feel like it limits me from living what's commonly considered "a full life" and because it looks like withdrawl. Also, because I've occasionally experienced its lifting along with the sense "Oh, so that is what it's like to feel normal; that's why other people can keep going so much longer than I usually can."

At the same time, I am suspicious of the standard notion of "a full life"; I think aspects of it are way too narrow and superficial and don't leave room for contemplation.

So if my "easily overstimulated" state of mind doesn't count as mild depression, what should it be called?

Current Mood: curious
Current Music: still construction noise

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From:

firecat

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll check it out.

For those following along, here is a link to the book's page on Amazon. It's by Elaine Aron.

Have you found any special tricks for combating the sensitive/depressed dovetail?

From:

femmediva.livejournal.com

I'm glad you found the book. I think, for me anyway, the key is feeling in control of my environment. Which isn't always possible, unfortunately. I really try and keep my home a sanctuary, which is pretty easy for me to do since I live alone. I just feel too "keyed in" to the world sometimes, and much to perceptive for my own good. I'll play loud music often when doing a non-thinking activity like cleaning the house, but I need total silence in order to do any office work. Even having the radio or tv on in the other room distracts me... I just can't filter it out.

On the other hand, I've found that too much silent time alone is no good for me either :-/
I've got a lot of "noise" in my head and it seems to go into overdrive if I'm alone with just my own thoughts for company for too long. So, I try and strike a balance- fortunately I have several friends who don't "overwhelm", and just spending time in their company (in person, phone conversation, anything) seems to be the best medicine for me. Along with trying to avoid people/situations that press those buttons for me.

I was just using noise as one type of example.. basically, I get overwhelmed easily, and for me this can lead to depression.

This is inspiring me to dig out that book and read it again :-)

From:

firecat

The business about too much noise AND too much silence being a problem, I can relate to that.

I don't need to control my whole environment so much, but I prefer to feel I have an escape from an environment that might become overwhelming.

And the need to escape sometimes comes on pretty fast.

From:

cjsmith.livejournal.com

I was going to recommend this, but I see it's been done. :-)

One thing that disappointed me about that book is that it did not seem to offer any methods of coping. The book insists that this trait is neither negative nor positive, simply neutral; but in today's world, surrounded by mostly non-HSPs, I find this trait in myself to be something almost like a handicap. Suggestions for coping strategies would have been really great to read.

Maybe I should dig out the book again. I might have missed something.

From:

firecat

Hey! It's interesting that you identify as HSP...I really enjoyed reading your entries recently about flight school, and seeing how excited you were. I had an experience like that recently too -- and like you, it was pretty much removed from the rest of my life. I wonder whether there is a connection between HSP and needing a quiet regular life and wanting sometimes to go outside your regular life and do something adventuresome.

I did read that criticism of the book in one of the Amazon reviews.

The trait has been neutral for me at some points in my life. At other points I've felt it was a handicap. I'm feeling that way right now. So yeah, coping strategies...

From:

cjsmith.livejournal.com

I wonder whether there is a connection between HSP and needing a quiet regular life and wanting sometimes to go outside your regular life and do something adventuresome.

That's an interesting thought. I've been mulling it over for a day or so and it does seem to make sense. I don't know that I need a quiet regular life, although I do need quiet time. (I don't think I get enough of that right now.) But I definitely have a need for adventuresome bits as well.

The trait has been neutral for me at some points in my life. At other points I've felt it was a handicap.

One of the exercises in the book asks the reader to think back to a time when the trait was a definite asset. I read that book years ago and I still haven't come up with such a time. (pout.)

From:

firecat

One of the exercises in the book asks the reader to think back to a time when the trait was a definite asset. I read that book years ago and I still haven't come up with such a time. (pout.)

I can think of lots of benefits. Lets me concentrate in quiet rather than going out of my gourd with boredom. Lets me experience sensory input really keenly.