This definately applies to me, was always told by my family I was too sensitive so I then saw it as a character flaw.
Over time I have seen it as a blessing and a curse. I often react to things defensively, end up hurting those involved who can't understand my reaction. It is due to all three types of abuse but because it all started in infancy I don't know whether I was born like it or whether the trauma caused it - a chicken and egg situation. I hate that part of me that unintentionally hurts someone because of my defensive reaction, I know how it feels to be emotionally hurt so would never wish those feelings on somebody else. I guess that's something I will have to work on.
On the other hand the blessing of it is, that I am able to empathise with others, I can look at a situation that I am not emotionally involved in and see lots of different sides to it. If someone upsets me though I get upset, defensive and have emotional overload. If I see someone else being targeted I will immediately switch into assertive mode and come to their defence. I never get physical but diplomatically verbally assertive (I do swear to myself about it but have to show some restraint):angelic:, maybe it is because I was never able to protect myself or believed I was a good enough person so I then protect other people (even if I don't know them!).
Does anyone have ways of coping with being sensitive as I have recently started to isolate myself, partly due to flashbacks but also due to sensitivity? (crying children I cannot cope with for some reason - have two teenagers who are out of that stage thankfully). It feels like I am raw all over and too much noise is really overwhelming. Crowds, I also can't handle them & have always been the same with all of this. Wind, now that one I have no idea why that makes me feel on edge.
I feel the safest in wooded areas where it is peaceful, where I can hide - stems back to childhood.;)
