It is believed that many INFJs are also HSPs, Highly Sensitive People. I’ve done posts about HSPs before but if you are not familiar with the term, I suggest you check out this website: http://www.hsperson.com
I’ve recently suffered a bad cold which after it finally started resolving, ended up with me also developing viral bronchitis. As I write to you right now I’m in bed doped up on meds to deal with the pain in my lungs and all the coughing. Having to deal with all of this for the last two weeks I’ve come to realize that I always get hit by the worst colds or flu viruses every year. Worse then everybody else around me. My roommate infected me and she was only ill for a couple of days and then it all cleared up for her. For me I’m now closing in on three weeks.
When I think back about it, it has always been like this for most of my life. I often get multiple virus infections each year, always hitting my respiratory systems the most. As a kid I suffered from asthma which made me unable to do sports sometimes and deemed me unfit for military service as a teenager. I also had a lot of food allergies when I was younger and I have a chronic skin inflammatory disease called rosacea. What I’ve started to conclude drawing from all my previous experience is that not only am I an highly sensitive person emotionally, but my body is also highly sensitive. I started to do some research online about it and turns out that it is very common for HSPs to suffer from chronic illnesses and catch diseases easier then non HSPs.
It all makes a lot of sense because I have always been a firm believer that the mind and body is deeply connected to each other. This is a viewpoint that western medicine doesn’t share but you can find it in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda which are based on it. HSPs have a highly sensitive nervous system and this also affects the rest of our body. When one system is not in balance the others become more susceptible to stress and damage. Since many INFJs are also HSPs, I think it’s vital that we remember to take care of ourselves and our bodies in order to be happy both emotionally and physically. As we all know we INFJs need this in order to cope and function properly in today’s society with our unusual gifts.
Here are some great links I dug up for you to indulge in further:
Healing Highly Sensitive Body:
Sensitive and Stressed:
The Highly Sensitive Person And Chronic Illness Connection:
HSPs and Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Other Illnesses Perhaps Related to “Central Sensitization”:
Erin says
I’m an INFJ, and I believe a HSP. I was misdiagnosed with Lupus at 17, then misdiagnosed with Fibromyalgia at 19, shortly before I turned 21, I was diagnosed with Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome(I’m now 23). Like most people, I also have a handful of mental problems. I’m so glad I found this site. I’ve always believed that all the issues I experience are deeply connected to each other through my mind and body. I appreciate the research you do, and the time you put into sharing that research with us. I wish you the best.
BestEnid says
I have noticed you don’t monetize your site, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn extra cash every
month. You can use the best adsense alternative for any type of website (they approve all
websites), for more info simply search in gooogle: boorfe’s tips monetize your website
BestWerner says
I see you don’t monetize your blog, don’t waste your traffic, you can earn additional bucks every month because you’ve got hi quality content.
If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for:
Ercannou’s essential tools best adsense alternative
TekMale Pills says
I keep listening to the news broadcast speak about getting
free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to
get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?
lola says
i am hsp and developed diabetes 1, through stress, i believe. my sensitivity being an actual problem and protection not working. now i´m forced to look at boundary setting, i´m forced to be physical, as i had retreated into mind, thought and feelings and shock, so many things regarding my hsp and infj just crashed and smashed all-together. this delicateness, reacting to temperature, to materials, to sounds, to textures, to everyday stimulants, it´s fascinating how some things can feel like a godsend, like this computer fan i have here that helps my bodily wellbeing, it feels like a breeze on a beach, and in the right moment i am there … all the little thngs that help excite me. finding a text on here thvt will probably help me. what a ride. fluorescent lights at school when i studied, i couldn´t focus on what we hvd to focus on, i felt unstable, fluorescent lights in hospital when i was diagnosed almost 4 years ago, the lights were like weapons almost, and i was thinking how are you going to explain this to people. little things that are big things to one and others probably thinking one is a hypondriac, when the issues are real, really real.
lola says
# hypochondriac
this dis ease making me have to deal with these problems
having to really go inside the body to find solutions
Mohamid says
Hi Jacquelyn,I think the point Nene may be trying to make is that being siglend out in meetings is problematic because introverts (like myself) often dislike being the centre of attention and often experience a mind block when suddenly asked a question. Although I dislike the title, Marti Olsen Laney talks about this in her book The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extravert World. I’ve experienced this many times, and I think it’s because there is often an expectation in such circumstances to be comfortable with producing answers very quickly, which goes against the approach introverts often have of thinking things through carefully before speaking. I really don’t think Nene sees being siglend out as a fate worse than death because she feels that the person is being mean to her or something like that. I’m not looking for an argument, I just wanted to provide a different interpretation of Nene’s message.Jack
Jesper says
Also an INFJ HSP and have chronically stuffed nostrils, a wide range of allergies, chronic back pain, acute awareness of internal pain (which I can’t locate and identify properly), sensitive skin and double jointed shoulders.
I also had to remove my tonsils when I was a kid and I had pneumonia at about eight years old…
Have had bouts of psychosomatic skin problems, too… not to speak of emotional blockage in my diaphragm…
Alex says
I can relate to most of your symptoms. On my mothers side many have psychosomatic skin problems and most are feeler personalities, quite interesting. Definitely a higher mind to body connection. All of my allergies disappear when I eat clean, stay in clean air and exercise properly. Thanks for sharing!
lola says
´´ acute awareness of internal pain (which I can’t locate and identify properly) ´´
would be interesting to know if you have located the pain
s says
I have just the opposite. Whenever there’s flu or virus floating about in the office, I hardly ever got hit. The only time I’d come down with a cold or even allergy symptons was when I was emotionally weak or when i was not working out.
this is one of the reasons why i work out. when i am physically healthy, bodily flexible, and core strong, i don’t sick much.
this, combined with staying away from emotional and time vampires, have helped me to maintain a general good health.
try. it may work for you, too.
Alex says
I totally agree, it seems like many physical symptoms are often results from emotional distress. That there is a much more pronounced mind and body connection for us then other types. Thanks for sharing!