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Dr. Samuel Pfeifer

Dr. Samuel Pfeifer. Klinik Sonnenhalde, CH-4125 Riehen, Switzerland. When Sensitivity turns into illness. The term „sensitivity“. Jane Austen (18th century) Sense and Sensibility Rationality vs. Sensitivity. The salt of the earth.

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Dr. Samuel Pfeifer

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  1. Dr. Samuel Pfeifer Klinik Sonnenhalde, CH-4125 Riehen, Switzerland When Sensitivity turns into illness

  2. The term „sensitivity“ Jane Austen (18th century) Sense and Sensibility Rationality vs. Sensitivity

  3. The salt of the earth „The exalted and deplorable family of the highly sensitive is the salt of the earth“ Marcel Proust

  4. Highly sensitive people Diana Marilyn Monroe Yves Saint Laurent

  5. Highly sensitive people Henry Nouwen • The Return of the Prodigal Son • Life of the Beloved • In the name of Jesus

  6. Vincent van Gogh

  7. „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.

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. „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.

  11. Sensitive perceptions • causing intensive feelings and reactions • smell • taste • auditory sense • visual sense • touch • synaesthesia • pathological startle reflex according to Klages

  12. Peculiarities of highly sensitive persons • Intensive struggle with verbal expression • increased exhaustion • frequent mood swings, irritability • sexuality and inhibition • paranormal sensitivity according to Klages

  13. „Neurosis“ When sensitivity turns into illness • negative impact on • ability to enjoy • relationships • ability to work

  14. BUT: Problems have remained the same 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“

  15. 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

  16. Ambivalence Impairedcontact Inhibitions VegetativeComplaints Emotionallability Reducedability toperform Common features

  17. New terms • subclinical disorders • atypical depressions • “masked” depression • subsyndromal disorders • Spectrum Disorders • Subthreshold Disorders

  18. Spectrum Disorders Depression Bulimia-Anorexia OCD SocialPhobia Panic-Agoraphobia Migraine -gastro-intestinal evtl ADHD?

  19. 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.

  20. threshold subthreshold atypical classic syndrome • Personality problem • isolated symptoms Coresyndrome Spectrum healthy aspects Disordersuffering

  21. chronic Vulnerable personality Stress, Trigger Course illness phase

  22. PersonalityTemperament Psychosocialenvironment Development „Vulnerable“Personality Stress Sensitive Crisis

  23. Sensitive Syndromes SomaticSyndromesMigraineGastro-intestinal disorders Somatization Emotional Instability Anorexia Bulimia Depression Exhaustion Ansiety Disorders Phobias Obsessive-CompulsiveDisorders ILLNESS

  24. Sensitivity and faith • Sensitivity for the spiritual world • Over-sensitive conscience • Anxious towards God and other persons. • Living with tensions

  25. Areas of tension I D E A L S I want to do what is right and good, pleasing to God. *** other ideals ?? InnerExperience Needs, desires Drives, Impulses Emotions (Sub)culturalrules und limitations R E A L I T Y “Why do I have to suffer?” General life situation - Social network – Physical /emotional constitution ExternalFramework

  26. Highly sensitive people Henry Nouwen • The Return of the Prodigal Son • Life of the Beloved • In the name of Jesus

  27. 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.

  28. 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.“

  29. 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.“

  30. Coping withhigh sensitivity

  31. 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.

  32. A prayer for positive sensitivity • Lord, open my mind and fill me withyour wisdom and guidance. • Lord, take out all my fussies and frowniesand fill me with your love. • Lord, open my eyes to see all the beautifulthings you have made. • Lord open my nose Lord, help me to bea sweet fragrance for you. • Lord, help me always speak yourwords of love and kindness. • Lord, let me be a light to othersfor you have filled me with your light.

  33. 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.

  34. Download this presentation from www.seminare-ps.net

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