Hypersensitized for Dummies

Hypersensitized is a word that describes a state where a person or a living creature becomes extra sensitive or highly responsive to certain things or stimuli in the environment. It's like when you turn up the volume on a stereo really high, and even the tiniest sound becomes extremely loud and overwhelming. In the same way, being hypersensitized means that your senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell, become so heightened that even the smallest details or sensations can feel much more intense than usual.

Let's take the example of someone who is hypersensitized to touch. Imagine you are wearing a shirt that feels incredibly itchy, and it becomes so uncomfortable that you have a strong urge to scratch your skin to ease the irritation. But for someone who is hypersensitized to touch, even the softest touch or fabric might feel like they are wearing a shirt made entirely of prickly cactus needles! They might find it difficult to bear any contact with their skin, and even the lightest touch could cause discomfort or pain.

In addition to touch, hypersensitization can also affect other senses. For instance, if someone is hypersensitized to sound or noise, even normal everyday sounds like the buzzing of a fly, the ticking of a clock, or the laughter of their classmates can become incredibly loud and overwhelming. It's as if their ears are turned up to the highest volume setting all the time!

Furthermore, a person can also become hypersensitized to emotions. Just like when you watch a really scary movie and your heart starts racing and you feel a surge of fear, someone who is hypersensitized to emotions may experience these intense feelings even in everyday situations. For example, if someone accidentally bumps into them in the hallway, instead of simply brushing it off, they may immediately feel anger, sadness, or fear flood their body, as if it was a major threat.

So, in simple terms, when we say someone is "hypersensitized," we mean they have become very sensitive to certain things in their environment, such as touch, sound, or emotions. It's like turning up the volume on our senses to the maximum level, making even the smallest stimuli feel much more intense and overwhelming than they would to others.