“I was in a situation where I loved and trusted this person more than I trusted myself.” Anna Kendrick

"Was I raised so that I was always trying to win their love?" Judith Orloff

"HSPs tend to be over-givers and toxic people tend to be over-takers.” Julie Bjelland

"That dysfunction can give us the message that I am not okay." Donna Jackson Nakazawa

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This audio is an excerpt from the longer episode: How Narcissistic Parenting and Toxic Relationships Impact Us, and Recovery.

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RESOURCES

» Understanding Narcissism Summit by Sounds True: "Features 20 Sessions of Insight and Guidance from Leading Experts in Psychology & Spirituality." (Judith Orloff, MD is a speaker.)

» Enjoy the full length original "Episode 104: How to Avoid and Heal From Toxic Relationships, with Julie and Willow" on the Sensitive and Neurodivergent Podcast on the Sensitive Empowerment site of Julie Bjelland, LMFT - where you can find many more of her articles, books, courses, Sensitive Community and other resources.

» Free class by Julie Bjelland: "How to Set Healthy Boundaries and Why it’s Essential for Wellness as an HSP" - See list of her free webinars.

» audio podcast (on Substack): "Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences" with science journalist and speaker Donna Jackson Nakazawa.

» More posts and podcasts on toxic relationships.

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National Domestic Violence Hotline offers free, confidential support and many resources to help at thehotline.org.

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Support the show

Listen to episodes and see transcripts and resources in the Podcast section of The Creative Mind Newsletter and Podcast site.

As various researchers and therapists note, being a highly sensitive person or another form of neurodivergent, with different "neurological wiring," we can experience many positive qualities, such a greater appreciation of beauty and art, a heightened awareness of subtleties, emotional depth, stronger empathy, and more.

All of which can enhance creative expression and performance, as shown by many actors, musicians, writers and other artists.

But we can also be more vulnerable to stress and overwhelm.

Therapist Julie Bjelland, LMFT talks about sensory overload in multiple posts, videos, podcasts, and the image refers to one of her suggestions to relieve unwanted effects:

"Watching news visually can cause a lot more anxiety than reading it for most highly sensitive people. Take breaks from reading or watching the news."

This audio is a short excerpt from one of her free classes: Sensory Overload & Sensitivity.

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In one of her articles, "Managing Sensory Overload: A Guide for Sensitive and Neurodivergent Individuals," she explains more. Here is an excerpt:

"Sensory sensitivity means experiencing heightened awareness of sensory input such as sounds, lights, textures, smells, and more. For instance:

Sounds: Struggling with the background noise in a cafe.

Textures: Avoiding certain fabrics or cutting clothing tags.

Lights: Feeling overwhelmed by fluorescent lighting.

This happens because neurodivergent brains process sensory input differently. In many cases, there’s reduced "brain pruning," meaning connections aren’t trimmed as much, leading to heightened awareness.

While this sensitivity can feel overwhelming, it’s important to recognize it as a natural part of how your brain works—not a flaw.

Prolonged exposure to sensory overload can have significant impacts, including:

Chronic Stress: Elevated cortisol levels, weakened immunity, and digestive issues.

Burnout: Emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion, often mistaken for depression.

Mental Health Risks: Increased anxiety and emotional distress.

Physical Strain: Migraines, hormonal imbalances, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders.

Sensory Joy: The Flip Side of Sensitivity

While sensitivity can be challenging, it also allows you to experience the world’s beauty with incredible depth. Examples of sensory joy include..."

See the Creative Mind post for more: Sensory Overload can lead to anxiety, fatigue. How to renew energy and calm?

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Support the show

Listen to episodes and see transcripts and resources in the Podcast section of The Creative Mind Newsletter and Podcast site.

Therapists provide insights and strategies

Psychologist Melanie Joy notes "this is an incredibly dysregulating time for everyone, especially those of us who are highly sensitive."

Therapist Emma McAdam: "If emotions are getting in the way of you living your life, you can learn how to slow down, think clearly..."

Dr Cathleen King: "A dysregulated nervous system can turn routine experiences into sources of stress.”

Therapist Julie Bjelland: "The brain has a negativity bias..."

See much more, including related articles and videos, at the original Creative Mind Audio podcast episode page:

What is being dysregulated, and how can we better process our emotions?

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Support the show

Listen to episodes and see transcripts and resources in the Podcast section of The Creative Mind Newsletter and Podcast site.