Sensitivity is a Superpower in Eating Disorder Recovery
Like many of our clients, I am a highly sensitive person. This experience comes with many memories of messages that my way of being was NOT OK. I recall getting an “unsatisfactory” in “self-control” in kindergarten because I cried at school. The theme continued throughout school and beyond. My first-grade teacher sent me to the bathroom alone with my tears for what seemed like hours after I was bullied by two boys. I was so frequently teased for being a “crybaby” that I resorted to making up a mysterious eye illness to try to hide the true reasons for my tender-hearted tears! I remember being endlessly told by friends and boyfriends that I was “too sensitive” or “too emotional.”
When we Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) have early experiences like these, unhelpful and inaccurate self-beliefs can form. Examples that may feel familiar include “I am too much,” “I am not loveable just how I am,” or “If people get to know the real, emotionally intense me they will leave me.” We “know” we are not okay, and can’t quite put our finger on why.
Then, around the ages of 9 and 10, we start to become aware of the onslaught of messages from culture about our bodies. We pick up quickly on the message that to be loved, we must be thin. From there, our protector parts realize they can manage our vulnerable parts who feel so unlovable by focusing on the body. And from here, an eating disorder can begin.
Invitation:
Take a moment to view this short video about the onslaught of messages we receive about our bodies and our values. Notice the emotions and body sensations you experience in response, knowing there is no wrong or right answer.
What came up for you? What do you remember about your younger self navigating your sensitivity and the connection to your relationship with your body?
Rachel Lewis-Marlow, founder of the Embodied Recovery Institute, tells us eating disorder recovery is a journey marked by a process of Uncovering, Discovering, and Recovering. For (HSPs), this path can be especially nuanced, as their heightened emotional responses and deep processing can both aid and complicate their recovery. In the process of uncovering the pain that lies beneath the eating disorder, HSPs may discover younger parts that hold these negative beliefs about themselves. These parts may have learned to see their sensitivity as a weakness instead of the superpower it really can be.
Understanding Sensitivity in Eating Disorder Recovery
In the book "Sensitive" by Andre Solo and Jenn Granneman, the unique experiences of HSPs are explored, shedding light on the hidden gifts they possess and how these gifts can be harnessed in the journey toward healing from eating disorders. Highly sensitive people have a finely tuned nervous system, which processes stimuli more deeply than others. This can manifest in heightened emotional responses, greater empathy, and a keen awareness of subtleties in their environment. However, it also makes them more susceptible to overwhelm, stress, and emotional turmoil. These factors can contribute to the development and perpetuation of eating disorders.
The Journey of Recovery Through the Embodied Recovery Lens
Recovery from an eating disorder is rarely straightforward. For HSPs, it can be an even more complex process. The intense emotions that accompany recovery can be both a blessing and a curse for HSPs. On one hand, their emotional depth allows them to fully engage with the therapeutic process, exploring the root causes of their disorder and developing coping strategies to navigate triggers. On the other hand, the same sensitivity that facilitates this deeply emotional work can also amplify feelings of shame, guilt, and self-doubt, making it challenging to stay resilient in the face of setbacks.
People with sensitive strategies will respond in one of two ways (and sometimes oscillate between the two). One strategy is to contract and draw their energy into themselves. In the Embodied Recovery for Eating Disorders framework, we say these folks are working with the Sensitive Withdrawn strategy. Another strategy is feeling activated and seeking connection and support in emotionally expressive ways. These folks are working with a Sensitive Emotional strategy. Both strategies need to feel a boundary around them: one to know where they can expand into, and the other to feel their edges and the resource of containment. Accessing this resource through the developmental movement of push allows HSPs to then access their hidden gifts. Yield is also an important developmental movement for HSPs, as research shows they need more time to process and recover.
Hidden Gifts:
Despite the challenges they face, highly sensitive people possess a wealth of hidden gifts that can be invaluable assets in their journey toward recovery and beyond. These gifts include:
Empathy:
HSPs have an unparalleled ability to empathize with others, stemming from their deep emotional understanding and compassion. This empathy can foster connection and understanding within support networks, facilitating healing through shared experiences and mutual support.
Intuition:
Highly sensitive people are attuned to subtle shifts in their environment and internal states, allowing them to intuitively sense what they need for their own healing. Trusting their intuition can guide them toward self-care practices, therapeutic modalities, and lifestyle choices that support their recovery journey.
Creativity:
Creativity often flourishes in the fertile soil of sensitivity, as HSPs channel their intense emotions and rich inner worlds into artistic expression. Whether through writing, painting, music, or other forms of creative expression, HSPs can find catharsis, self-discovery, and healing in the act of creation.
Resilience:
Beneath their sensitive exteriors, HSPs possess a deep well of resilience that enables them to persevere in the face of adversity. Despite the ups and downs of recovery, HSPs have the capacity to bounce back, drawing strength from their innate resilience and the support of their community.
Navigating the World as a Highly Sensitive Person
As HSPs progress in their recovery journey, they may find themselves navigating a world that often misunderstands or undervalues sensitivity. However, by embracing their unique gifts and advocating for their needs, HSPs can carve out a space for themselves in a world that desperately needs their empathy, intuition, creativity, and resilience.
Recovery from an eating disorder is a deeply personal and transformative journey. For highly sensitive people, it can be a journey of profound self-discovery and empowerment. By embracing their sensitivity as a gift rather than a weakness, HSPs can harness their unique strengths to navigate the challenges of recovery and offer their invaluable contributions to the world.
Invitation:
Consider connecting with your highly sensitive younger self. You may experience them in or near your body, or as an image in your mind. This part may want to hear about what you value in them and see how their qualities have allowed you to thrive. They may benefit from the understanding and compassion you can now send their way. As you journey toward healing, may you remind yourself and your sensitive younger parts that your sensitivity is not a weakness. It’s a source of strength, compassion, and resilience.
Begin Eating Disorder Therapy in Asheville, NC Today!
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) navigating the complexities of eating disorder recovery? With Reclaiming Beauty's eating disorder therapists, you can learn to embrace your sensitivity as a source of strength and resilience. Join us in honoring the journey of self-discovery and empowerment that awaits you.
Schedule a consultation here so we can get to know you!
Learn more about disordered eating recovery through our blogs and podcasts.
Discover how HSPs’ hidden gifts are assets to eating disorder recovery.
Other Services We Offer in Addition to Eating Disorder Therapy
Explore our range of services designed to promote well-being at Reclaiming Beauty! We offer embodiment coaching, which guides you on a journey of self-discovery, fostering self-compassion and building resilience from within. Alternatively, experience the transformative effects of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a non-invasive auditory intervention designed to calm your nervous system and alleviate stress.
