Tuesday on Europe 1, Saverio Tomasella, doctor in psychology, addressed the topic of hypersensitivity, this character trait which affects nearly 30% of the population but which can often be misunderstood.
In particular, he advises parents of children concerned to talk to their teachers.
Showing itself through signals as diverse as great emotional reactivity, a strong sensitivity to stress or noise, or even to the emotions of others, hypersensitivity remains unrecognized and often misunderstood by those around the people concerned.
Guest Tuesday of
Sans rendez-vous
on Europe 1, Saverio Tomasella, doctor in psychology, returned to this character trait which concerns nearly 30% of the population in France and affects both men and women.
What is hypersensitivity?
Author of
Hypersensitivity for Dummies
, Saverio Tomasella, however, prefers to use the term high sensitivity.
This above-average sensitivity will be characterized by "a very great attention to detail and mental overactivation, because the highly sensitive person will dissect all the information they receive and be permeable to it, be very receptive to all the information. , whether at the sensory, emotional, intuitive and cognitive level ", explains the specialist.
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This highly high sensitivity can take several forms.
"We can have forms of high sensitivity only sensory, we will then speak of hyperesthesia", says Saverio Tomasella, with people "very sensitive to light, to perfumes, to smells, to certain flavors, especially spicy, to noise. , to the touch ", all without necessarily being very emotional.
Still, most often, continues the guest from Europe 1, this hyperesthesia is all the same "accompanied by a strong reactivity to stress and emotions".
According to the various studies carried out on the subject, the highly sensitive population is divided into three thirds, says Saverio Tomasella: "One third of introverts, one third of extroverts, and one third of introverts in situations where they are ill. at ease, but who will be extroverted with family, friends and people they know well ".
Is it disabling?
On Europe 1, the doctor in psychology insists: hypersensitivity "is not a disease" and, most often, is not disabling.
However, "in a society which values sensitivity little, there are people who will live it badly, and wonder if they are abnormal or sick".
In addition, people who have difficulty tolerating noise or light "will have difficulty living in the city or in a noisy environment", such as an open-space.
But can this hypersensitivity promote addictions?
"When we cannot express our emotions, or when we live in an unfavorable environment, we tend to find expedients, ways of living our sensitivity", answers Saverio Tomasella.
Some will therefore find refuge in sport, withdraw into themselves, but others will also resort to drugs and alcohol.
Where is that from ?
But how to explain the appearance of this hypersensitivity?
Is it innate or due to genetics?
"A genetic track has been studied for ten years. A study says that there is a gene for the use of serotonin, which would have a different branch for highly sensitive people, and which could predispose to more depression , anxiety, even more suicidal tendency ", explains Saverio Tomasella.
But, he adds, this same study qualifies this genetic disposition by emphasizing the influence of the environment.
Thus, "if the child who would have this genetic type grows up in a calm, encouraging environment, he will not develop this tendency to anxiety. It is especially in very stressful environments, like families of misery, violence. , with alcoholism, that the child will develop this tendency as he grows up ".
The environment in which the child will grow up and the education of the parents will therefore have a significant influence on the appearance or not of hypersensitivity.
Finally, things sometimes play out even earlier.
“Everything that is perinatal will play a very important role,” says Saverio Tomasella.
What if my child is hypersensitive?
It is advisable to discuss the hypersensitivity of your child at school.
"It is important to warn the teachers, because that gives the keys", insists the guest of Europe 1, in particular because each child concerned will react in a different way, requiring an individualized response from the teachers.
"The child may be hyperactive or on the contrary withdrawn. He may need more encouragement, and if the teaching is very hard, the child may be steered because he is going to have the impression that it is not welcomed as it is, ”notes Saverio Tomasella.
In addition, these children, who "lose their means when they are observed", will "need more time the first time they do a task".
Hence the importance of warning the teachers, who will thus be able to show more patience.
And at home, certain behaviors can help the child to manage his high sensitivity.
Saverio Tomasella thus advises parents to give him a drink regularly and to insist on their presence if the child needs help to accomplish a task.
Finally, while highly sensitive children need to take regular breaks, a study has notably shown the importance of setting up "a refuge corner", which can take the form of "an Indian tent, a carpet with cushions ", where the child can go" when he is tired, upset, overexcited, "concludes Saverio Tomasella.