Were You/Are You Oversensitive?

by minimus 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  ninja

  you've all been talking about me behind my back havent you?....HAVENT YOU??????????????????????????.......
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  Balsam

  I was in for 30 years and was never told I was overly sensitive. Though I observed many probably 1/3 of congregations who were overly-sensitive about obeying the rules, criticizing others for not following them etc.

  I often tried to encourage people to just chill and to not be so over-board. I think though it is just the make up of the individuals and basically people who are sensitive to comments, rules, and just living are that way about everything around them.

  I used to watch people totally stress over seeing a movie, or dating, or getting married over silly stuff. I just never did that most of the time and it made my life in the JW much easier.

  I have heard Elders say individuals were just overly sensitive when they questioned them about the rules, or the workings of the congregations. So many felt they had to follow every rule to the letter or they were failures. But again people to think this way are that way about everything. I call them control freaks, who want everything laid out neatly with no variance or allowances for different people.
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  flipper

  No, I don't think I'm oversensitive . Have never been accused of it anyway. I feel I am sensitive in the right measure given the circumstances that come up with each given situation. I'm not undersensitive either, which can be a problem for some . I don't overreact, fairly steady psychologically really ! I don't play games, I'm an actualizing reality type person !. Don't believe in manipulating others or being manipulated by others , what you see is what you get with me ! No Trevorgate here ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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  nvrgnbk

  I'm sensing some different understandings of the question posed.

  Some are reading oversensitive as meaning "uptight" or overly strict, easily offended, self-righteous perhaps.

  Others are reading it as meaning overly concerned with the opinions of others, perhaps attaching undue significance to the comments of others, taking things personally to an excessive degree.
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  minimus

  I'm referring to taking things excessively personal.
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  nvrgnbk

  I'm referring to taking things excessively personal.

  Thought so.

  Thanks for the clarification, min.

  I think that Watchtower indoctrination taught us to do that.

  We were taught to examine ourselves continually.

  To scrutinize ourselves.

  To see if we were measuring up.

  We were taught to give no cause for offense.

  We were taught to not trust ourselves, for in reality, without help from Jehovah's organization, we were "bad".

  It's no wonder those of us that allowed ourselves to be indoctrinated are oversensitive.

  Having said that, it's not all bad being sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of others.

  But it's a struggle to achieve balance.
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  tall penguin

  Some of you may relate to being an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). According to researcher Elaine Aron,
  
  Being "highly sensitive" is "normal--it is inherited by 15 to 20% of the population, and indeed the same percentage seems to be present in all higher animals.
  
  Being an HSP means your nervous system is more sensitive to subtleties. Your sight, hearing, and sense of smell are not necessarily keener (although they may be). But your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply."
  
  You can take a self-test and learn more here: http://www.hsperson.com/
  
  I wonder if being a jw brings this trait more to the surface. The exposure to so many people on a weekly basis, not to mention assemblies and conventions, raises the HSP's awareness and forces us to constantly wade through more sensory information. Also, the emotionally toxic environment a jw is exposed to puts HSP's on high alert. No wonder so many of us suffered from depression and other maladies.
  
  Yes, I'm an HSP. Have been as long as I can remember. I would guess it's genetic as my mother shows many of the traits as well. Come to think of it, so does my father. I'm learning to play to the strengths of my sensitivity instead of it being all bad. For example, HSP's have a great propensity for empathy and make great counselors and therapists and by extension, great friends. So it does have its gifts.
  
  tall penguin
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  IMHO

  I have been called oversensitive, but one should never be called such. I am HSP others should recognize that fact and adjust their manner appropriately as I would hope to do for them. Anyone who calls another oversensitive is merely showing their insensitivity. What is good for the goose is not good for the gander. People are different and need to be treated so.