Overexcitabilities: A Key to Understanding Your Gifted Personality

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan SENSUAL

August Rush Add movie clip Add movie clip Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan

Sensual Overexcitability Here's the "cut the label out of the shirt" demand, the child who limps as if with a broken leg when a sock seam is twisted. Here's the "cut the label out of the shirt" demand, the child who limps as if with a broken leg when a sock seam is twisted. A baby who cries when the wind blows in his face, for instance; a toddler who cries at the feel of grass on bare legs and feet. Another important aspect of this is aesthetic awareness -- the child who is awed to breathlessness at the sight of a beautiful sunset or cries hearing Mozart, etc. A baby who cries when the wind blows in his face, for instance; a toddler who cries at the feel of grass on bare legs and feet. Another important aspect of this is aesthetic awareness -- the child who is awed to breathlessness at the sight of a beautiful sunset or cries hearing Mozart, etc.

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan Sensual OE heightened experience of sensual pleasure or displeasure emanating from sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing (Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991) heightened experience of sensual pleasure or displeasure emanating from sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing (Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991) have a far more expansive experience from their sensual input than the average person have a far more expansive experience from their sensual input than the average person have an increased and early appreciation of aesthetic pleasures such as music, language, and art, and derive endless delight from tastes, smells, textures, sounds, and sights have an increased and early appreciation of aesthetic pleasures such as music, language, and art, and derive endless delight from tastes, smells, textures, sounds, and sights Because of this increased sensitivity, they may also feel over-stimulated or uncomfortable with sensory input. Because of this increased sensitivity, they may also feel over-stimulated or uncomfortable with sensory input. sometimes have difficulty with sorting out all they hear, feel, or smell sometimes have difficulty with sorting out all they hear, feel, or smell sensitivity makes them easily distractible sensitivity makes them easily distractible

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan Sensual OE When emotionally tense, some individuals high in sensual OE may overeat, go on buying sprees, or seek the physical sensation of being the center of attraction (Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991). Others may withdraw from stimulation. When emotionally tense, some individuals high in sensual OE may overeat, go on buying sprees, or seek the physical sensation of being the center of attraction (Dabrowski & Piechowski, 1977; Piechowski, 1979, 1991). Others may withdraw from stimulation. Sensually overexcitable children may find clothing tags, classroom noise, or smells from the cafeteria so distracting that school-work becomes secondary. Sensually overexcitable children may find clothing tags, classroom noise, or smells from the cafeteria so distracting that school-work becomes secondary. These children may also become so absorbed in their love of a particular piece of art or music that the outside world ceases to exist. These children may also become so absorbed in their love of a particular piece of art or music that the outside world ceases to exist.

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan Translation! You may… Dislike labels in your clothing Dislike labels in your clothing Love “good” smells, textures, tastes Love “good” smells, textures, tastes Can’t stand “bad” smells, textures, tastes Can’t stand “bad” smells, textures, tastes Be sensitive to bright lights and harsh sounds Be sensitive to bright lights and harsh sounds Love to be the center of attention Love to be the center of attention

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan When upset you may show your tension by… Overindulging Overindulging Seeking out comfort and/or luxury Seeking out comfort and/or luxury

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan Sensual OE What is wonderful about having a sensualoverexcitability? What is wonderful about having a sensualoverexcitability? What is difficult about having a sensual overexcitability? What is difficult about having a sensual overexcitability? Your Examples Your Examples

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan Sensual Strategies Whenever, possible, create an environment which limits offensive stimuli and provides comfort. Whenever, possible, create an environment which limits offensive stimuli and provides comfort. Provide appropriate opportunities for being in the limelight by giving unexpected attention, facilitating creative and dramatic productions which have an audience. These individuals literally feel the recognition that comes from being in the limelight. Provide appropriate opportunities for being in the limelight by giving unexpected attention, facilitating creative and dramatic productions which have an audience. These individuals literally feel the recognition that comes from being in the limelight. Provide time to dwell in the delight of the sensual and to create a soothing environment. Remember to allow time to just lounge in a warm scented bath, listen to rain, or just be present in a lovely garden. Provide time to dwell in the delight of the sensual and to create a soothing environment. Remember to allow time to just lounge in a warm scented bath, listen to rain, or just be present in a lovely garden.

Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan STRESS MANAGEMENT Overexcitable individuals have increased stress reactions because of their increased reception of and reaction to external input. The key components are to: (1) learn to identify your stress symptoms: headache, backache, pencil tapping, pacing, etc. (1) learn to identify your stress symptoms: headache, backache, pencil tapping, pacing, etc. (2) develop strategies for coping with stress: talk about your feelings, do relaxation exercises, change your diet, exercise, meditate, ask for help, develop organizational and time management skills and (2) develop strategies for coping with stress: talk about your feelings, do relaxation exercises, change your diet, exercise, meditate, ask for help, develop organizational and time management skills and (3) develop strategies to prevent stress: make time for fun; develop a cadre of people to help, advise, humor you; practice tolerance of your own and others’ imperfections. (3) develop strategies to prevent stress: make time for fun; develop a cadre of people to help, advise, humor you; practice tolerance of your own and others’ imperfections.

Stress relief for Sensual What do you think would relieve stress for a sensual overexcitability? What do you think would relieve stress for a sensual overexcitability? Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan

CREATE A COMFORTING ENVIRONMENT Intense people need to know how to make their environment more comfortable in order to create places for retreat or safety. For example: find places to work or think which are not distracting, work in a quiet or calm environment, listen to music, look at a lovely picture, carry a comforting item, move while working, or wear clothing which does not scratch or cling. Learning to finesse one’s environment to meet one’s needs takes experimentation and cooperation from others, but the outcome will be a greater sense of well being and improved productivity. Intense people need to know how to make their environment more comfortable in order to create places for retreat or safety. For example: find places to work or think which are not distracting, work in a quiet or calm environment, listen to music, look at a lovely picture, carry a comforting item, move while working, or wear clothing which does not scratch or cling. Learning to finesse one’s environment to meet one’s needs takes experimentation and cooperation from others, but the outcome will be a greater sense of well being and improved productivity.

Comforting Environments for Sensual Overexcitabilities What environments would be comforting for sensuals? What environments would be comforting for sensuals? Created by Lori Comallie-Caplan