General Health

Being Sensitive Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken

A question that often plagues folks on the path of chronic pain recovery is: “Why me?”

To varying degrees, everyone experiences stressors in life. Yet many people seem to be able to tolerate life’s stressors without showing symptoms of stress — symptoms like anxiety, depression, heightened emotions and/or chronic pain.

So, if you’re someone who seems to be highly sensitized to stress, you might get the impression that there’s something “wrong” with you. (Spoiler alert: there’s not.)

We live in a culture that pathologizes emotional sensitivity and normalizes emotional numbness.

But the truth is, numbness and heightened sensitivity are both symptoms of emotional repression. On the surface, they look different. But they’re two sides of the same coin.

Repressed emotions are compressed energy. And compressed energy can take on multiple forms:⁠

  • Compressed energy can stay contained for a while, like a pot of boiling water with the lid jammed on.⁠ But eventually it explodes.
  • In some people, the lid stays jammed on most of the time. You might not even be able to tell that there’s boiling water under the surface, and they appear to be “doing just fine,” meaning: they’re conforming to the standards of our societal norms.⁠
  • In some people, the pot of water looks like it’s always on the verge of bursting … and from time to time it does.⁠
  • In other people, the pot seems to be constantly bubbling over, with the lid nowhere to be found.⁠

All of these are symptoms of a culture that encourages us to reject our own emotions. “Under-expressed” emotions are simply more convenient to patriarchy than “over-expressed” emotions, so blunted sensitivity is considered normal while heightened sensitivity is pathologized.

All this to say, it may seem like others are “doing just fine” while you seem to be “overly sensitive” — physically and/or emotionally. And you may be asking yourself “why me?”

But the truth is that we are all impacted by living in a culture of emotional repression — even if that impact looks different from person to person. And we would all benefit from a shift in culture toward allowing, accepting and honoring emotions. (If you’re reading this, I have a feeling you’re already taking part in this collective culture shift.)

Instead of seeing your sensitivities as something “wrong,” what if you were to view them as your superpowers? Your finely attuned antennae letting you know that there’s actually a kinder, more wholesome, respectful and nurturing way of being that we could all be moving toward? What if your emotions are the guiding stars pointing us all in the direction of a healthier and more loving human culture?

What if you aren’t broken at all, just reacting to a world that’s aching for positive change?

With love and warmth,

💖 Anna

Anna Holtzman

Anna Holtzman is a chronic pain recovery therapist and coach based in New York City.

Recent Posts

How Real-World Evidence Proves the Power of Patient Engagement

Data isn’t just an asset—it’s a trust marker. In life sciences, our credibility hinges on…

1 day ago

This 5-Minute Habit Could Help Prevent a Dangerous Heart Condition.

At 7:28 a.m., the sidewalk was still damp from last night’s Seattle area rain. I…

3 days ago

How the growing trade war could affect biopharma intellectual property

President Trump said recently that the United States will announce a “major” tariff on pharmaceutical…

5 days ago

STOP! Brushing Your Teeth May Expose You to Deadly Neurotoxins

Are you sure the toothpaste you’re using is safe and won’t expose you or your…

5 days ago

‘They Won’t Help Me’: Sickest Patients Face Insurance Denials Despite Policy Fixes

In 2023, Sheldon Ekirch was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy, which makes her limbs and…

5 days ago

A Digital Turning Point in Migraine Care: CT-132 FDA Approval to Market is a Win for Patients and Proof that Clinical Evidence Matters

First Digital Health App United States Approval for Migraine Treatment with a Comprehensive Indication of…

2 weeks ago

This website uses cookies. Your continued use of the site is subject to the acceptance of these cookies. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.

Read More