I typed this in to ChatGPT and got a great response: i am a highly sensitive person and had therapy and feel anxious often
It’s understandable that being highly sensitive can amplify feelings of anxiety, even when you’ve had therapy. Being highly sensitive often means you’re more deeply affected by emotional stimuli, environments, and stressors, which can feel overwhelming at times.
Here are a few things to keep in mind that may help you manage your anxiety:
- Self-Awareness:
Recognize and respect your sensitivity. Knowing that you’re naturally more responsive to your environment can help you be gentle with yourself rather than judging yourself harshly. - Grounding Techniques:
Use mindfulness practices, breathing exercises, or grounding methods such as:- 5-4-3-2-1 technique (acknowledging 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste).
- Deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation.
- Self-Care Routines:
Regularly engage in activities that nourish your emotional well-being:- Taking regular quiet breaks.
- Spending time in nature.
- Journaling to process emotions and thoughts.
- Set Clear Boundaries:
Highly sensitive people often benefit from setting clear emotional and physical boundaries. Limit exposure to overstimulating environments or situations that elevate your anxiety levels. - Continuous Support:
Therapy isn’t a one-time fix. Continuing to seek support from therapy or supportive relationships can help manage ongoing anxiety. You might also consider therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) specifically aimed at managing anxiety and sensitivity. - Physical Health:
Don’t underestimate the impact of physical health on anxiety:- Regular exercise (like yoga, walking, or swimming).
- Healthy diet and good sleep hygiene.
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol.
Would you like to explore any specific coping strategies in more depth, or talk about particular situations that trigger your anxiety? I’m here to support you.
Human here. This is a great response. ChatGPT isn’t for mental health but if you already have had therapy or are seeing one, it could be something useful to use.