Once Upon a Flashback: The ‘Too Much’ Label
There I was again, sitting across from someone I thought got me — eyes a little too wide, posture leaning back like my words were actual gusts of wind. I had just shared how loud the room felt, how my chest got tight when they texted “k.” Instead of validation, I got “You’re just too sensitive.”
Too sensitive.
Too emotional.
Too dramatic.
Too everything.
If you’ve got a neurodivergent brain — especially if ADHD or autism is your home turf — those words hit different. They echo. They build a room inside your mind and never pay rent.
But what if I told you that sensitivity isn’t a flaw to fix — it’s a signal system you can tune into?
Welcome to the World of Somatic Awareness
“Somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, meaning “body.” Somatic therapy, in short, helps you learn how your body stores and processes experiences — especially stress, trauma, and emotions.
In a world that praises logic over intuition and “just ignore it” over “listen to your body,” being somatically aware feels radical. Rebellious, even.
And for the neurodivergent among us, who already sense the unsaid, feel the undercurrent of a room, and catch micro-movements others miss — learning how to navigate our inner body-world isn’t just healing. It’s revolutionary.
RSD: When Sensitivity Feels Like a Tsunami
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) isn’t just about feeling a little hurt when someone doesn’t text back. It’s a nervous-system thunderstorm. One small criticism and—bam—you’re spiraling. Heart racing, muscles tight, your brain shouting, “They hate me. I ruined everything. Again.”
Now here's the somatic truth: RSD isn’t all in your head. It’s in your nervous system.
The heat in your face? The clench in your gut? That’s your body trying to protect you, not betray you.
The Magic of Naming Sensations
Somatic therapy doesn’t force you to fix your “overreactions.” It invites you to notice them. To name the flutter in your chest, the drop in your belly, the ache behind your eyes.
Because here’s the thing:
👉 You can’t shift what you haven’t first welcomed.
So instead of pushing away the “too muchness,” somatic practice says: Get curious.
What does “rejected” feel like in your body?
What shape does “unseen” take in your breath?
Once you name it, you stop drowning in it.
How Somatic Therapy Gently Rewires the System
No cold couches or Freud vibes here. Somatic therapy is often slow, spacious, and deeply respectful of your pace.
Somatic Therapy might include:
- Grounding exercises (hello, bare feet in grass)
- Titration (approaching tough stuff in micro-doses)
- Pendulation (swinging gently between tension and safety)
- Orienting to the room (letting your eyes find something calming)
And most importantly — a therapist who understands that your “sensitivity” isn’t a weakness. It’s a brilliant, overworked alarm system that finally gets to rest.
Okay, But How Is This a Superpower Exactly?
Let’s break it down with some plain talk and a punchy list — because if you’re anything like me, you love a good sensory-satisfying structure.
💫 7 Ways Being Somatically Aware Is Your Superpower
| 🌟 Trait | 💪 Why It’s Powerful |
|---|---|
| You feel deeply | That means you're highly empathetic, intuitive, and great at reading the room. |
| Your body signals fast | You often catch shifts in energy before anyone else — which can make you a stellar friend, artist, or leader. |
| You self-reflect naturally | Somatic awareness sharpens your emotional intelligence, helping you name and regulate feelings. |
| You pause before reacting | Therapy trains your body to respond, not just react — turning hot-headed moments into calm clarity. |
| You value safety | You’re more likely to build respectful, affirming relationships because your body won’t tolerate less. |
| You recover faster | Once you understand your nervous system, you bounce back from overwhelm more efficiently. |
| You set boundaries | You notice when something’s “off” early, and you’re learning to act on it — boldly. |
One Final Truth: You're Not Broken. You're Brilliant.
Let’s be real — the world isn’t exactly built for neurodivergent folks. And when your body is sounding alarms in a world that just tells you to “chill,” it’s easy to think something’s wrong with you.
But hear this: You’re not too sensitive.
You’re precisely sensitive enough to catch the signals most people miss.
And with the right support — somatic therapy, nervous system work, and self-trust — that sensitivity becomes your compass.
So next time someone says “you’re too sensitive,” smile and say,
“Thanks. It’s my superpower.”
FAQs About Somatic Therapy and Sensitivity
1. What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-focused approach that helps individuals process trauma and stress by tuning into physical sensations, movements, and nervous system responses.
2. How can somatic therapy help with ADHD or autism?
It helps regulate sensory overload, builds body-mind connection, and supports emotional resilience — especially important for those navigating hypersensitivity or executive dysfunction.
3. Is being “too sensitive” a real thing?
Sensitivity is a trait, not a flaw. For neurodivergent folks, it’s often an adaptive response to a world that overwhelms the senses.
4. Can somatic awareness reduce anxiety?
Yes! By learning to recognize and soothe bodily sensations, individuals often experience less anxiety and feel more grounded.
5. How do I start somatic therapy?
Look for therapists trained in modalities like Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, or Polyvagal-informed therapy. Choose someone who respects neurodivergence.
6. Is somatic therapy safe for trauma survivors?
Absolutely. In fact, it's designed to be trauma-informed — working gently and slowly to avoid re-traumatization.
If you live in the state of New York we provide virtual therapy services to all of New York state. If you are local to Suffolk County, NY we have 2 in office locations! One on the South Shore in Bohemia, NY and one on the North Shore in Smithtown, NY! Give our office a call at 631-503-1539 or send in a consultation request to make an appointment.
You deserve to feel enough just as you are.
Sending Love & Light,
Jamie Vollmoeller, LCSW
Founder
Long Island EMDR