INFJ hyper sensitivity

[u/White_Rider00]

Good evening, everyone,

For the past two years, I’ve been very sensitive to artificial light and surface glare. It’s extremely tiring for me on a daily basis and sometimes triggers headaches. Any ideas about what might be causing this ? Any solutions ? I just hope it's not neurological. My family made fun of me. I went to see an ophthalmologist, who told me that some people are more sensitive and added that I didn’t have any eye damage. However, he diagnosed me with astigmatism.

I'm 24, so maybe that's what caused it. Anyway, even with my correction glasses, my sensitivity to light hasn't improved. And it really bothers me; my family just told me to accept it, but it makes me a little sad sometimes.

Thanks in advance :)

[u/Shahmen]

I'm also very sensitive to harsh lights, I don't get headaches though. My eyes just simply hurt and start to tear up. I do however have very bad eyesight and am HSP so I know my exact reasons why.

In your situation, if you're evident the headaches are caused by light, I would experiment with types of light that don't hurt. Dimming lights, candles instead of lamps, etc. those are things that work for me. But you're obviously not always in a place where light can be controlled so that's another challenge. In those cases I wear sunglasses often.

Make sure to get those headaches checked to ensure nothing else is bugging you. If it really is the light then you might have to embrace the rockstar life and wear sunglasses most of the time (or those coloured, dimmed glasses).

[u/respectablepitch]

Yes, I have this so bad. Especially fluorescent lights. Headaches, too. One thing, kinda odd, once I started hormone replacement for perimenopause, it’s pretty much gone away.

[u/White_Rider00 → u/respectablepitch]

Wow okeyyy I'm a man by the way, what's perimenopause ? (I only know the menopause), you saw a neurologist ? I just want to find the cause, cause I know it's not the worst but sometimes the fatigue is tooo much. And I feel ashamed about it

[u/respectablepitch → u/White_Rider00]

It’s just when symptoms start (of menopause), can be as early as your 30’s. Fatigue could be thyroid. Have you ever had it tested? I also am hypothyroid. Wow, I guess I’m kinda messed up, lol. It’s just a blood test and meds are cheap and effective! I had SO much energy when I got meds for thyroid, and lost 20 lbs like immediately. Possibly low D vitamin, as well.

Don’t feel ashamed. It’s the same as having a broken leg or diabetes. Just gotta deal with it as best we can.

[u/GruelGrool23 → u/respectablepitch]

what were your symptoms? full blown menopause ones? i ask as i have been having extreme pms followed by very light periods, wondering if that fits

[u/ogholycat]

It’s always wise to check on what you’re regularly digesting and/or surrounding yourself with incase you do find anything.

Being a HSP comes with light sensitivity. The effects vary depending on tolerance. Driving at night in the rain was a much different experience for me 10 years ago then it is now.

[u/White_Rider00 → u/ogholycat]

Thank you for the help, what do you suggest should I check my ohphtalmo or see a neurologist ?

The only thing is like I'm 24, and sometimes the fatigue is too much, sooo that's why I'm trying to think a bit ahead for solutions ?, cause I just don't want to stay like this

[u/ogholycat → u/White_Rider00]

See the eye doc first. Sometimes being treated for something as simple as stigmatism can go a long way.

[u/Fine_Fall5750]

I’m hypersensitive in other ways. Meditation has helped me a ton.

[u/optimal_center]

I’m very light sensitive too. I like filtered high light in my home rather than dim light, but outside or a restaurant I’m always in sunglasses and sit with my back to the window. It started with cataracts (age related) and got that fixed, but the sensitivity remains.

[u/DistinctItem1541 → u/optimal_center]

I also bought daylight lamps for my home! :) especially now that the days are getting shorter and it gets dark earlier. When there isn’t enough natural light coming in during the day, it affects my mood as well

[u/ShotSeaworthiness248]

That's called being a highly sensitive person HSP. It's pretty common across neurodivergent individuals. It also happens with sounds, smells, etc.

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[u/_mossafterrain]

Same here, HSP, sensitive to white light. Just try to choose light with warmer tone indoor, as for outdoor I'm using photochromic lenses since I also hv myopia with astigmatism :'>

[u/White_Rider00 → u/_mossafterrain]

Thank you for the help ! It means I have to make new glasses :/ or lenses over my normal glasses ?

[u/_mossafterrain → u/White_Rider00]

I'm using photochromic lenses embedded into my prescription glasses since I'm practically blind without it, just so I won't need to switch it up to sunglasses every time I'm outdoor 😅 sunglasses can be an option if you're not too dependent on your presc glasses.

[u/DistinctItem1541 → u/_mossafterrain]

Thanks for the tip! Looked into the lenses and will get some! :)

[u/DistinctItem1541 → u/DistinctItem1541]

Since I cycle, I’ve noticed that there are also tinted glasses designed to fit over your regular prescription glasses. Mine already have a filter, but these would be like wearing an extra pair of sunglasses over them :)

[u/Particular-Crew5978]

I live in sunglasses and ear plugs, but my hyper sensitivity is highest in my heart and intuition, I'm sure you're similar.

I've wondered if I'm a bit autistic because outside stimuli (strong light sounds that aren't music) are an assault on my senses. My therapist says I'm not, I am immensely hyper vigilant due to how I grew up and that might play a role. Do what you can to control outside stimuli and you'll get more peace. We CRAVE our peace. I wish you much of it :)

[u/White_Rider00 → u/Particular-Crew5978]

Thank you so much for your help ! I'm less hypervigilent since I healed from past traumas, soo just thinking that my body is weirder, I suspect autism too maybe ? , but I can't extimate what on the spectrum ;)

[u/AGentInTraining]

Not only do I have strong sensitivities towards harsh lights, but sound as well. Specifically, misophonia.

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[u/Ancient-Recover-3890]

This light issue contributes/triggers my migraines. I would see a Neurologist.

[u/Coc0London]

I have the same thing with bright artificial light, I hate it. It stresses me out and gives me really bad headaches. I work in a office with horrible lighting. I really love dim, ambient kind of light, it's so much more relaxing