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Hyperesthesia: definition, symptoms, causes and treatment

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What would happen if you could suddenly feel more intensely all the physical sensations around you? Surely you will think that it would be wonderful to be able to feel with more intensity the whole range of pleasant and positive sensations that we can experience (hugs, caresses, kisses...) but... What would happen if that “superpower” also led you to feel painful and annoying sensations more intensely?

In this article we are going to talk about hyperesthesia, a little-known disorder of perception that should not be confused with hypoesthesia.

  • Related article: "The 13 types of pain (causes and symptoms)"

What is hyperesthesia?

The word hyperesthesia comes from hyper- and a derivative of the Greek αἴσθησις, sensitivity. We can define hyperesthesia as a perceptual condition that entails an abnormal increase in sensitivity to stimuli or sensations, generally tactile. It is a sensory distortion that leads us to feel sensations very intensely, even those that belong to low intensity stimuli (p. g., the rubbing of clothing on the skin).

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Not to be confused with hypoesthesia or paresthesia

We are going to define concretely the two terms (hypoesthesia and paresthesia) so as not to cause confusion:

Hypesthesia consists of a decrease in sensitivity (the opposite of hyperesthesia), and paresthesia would be an abnormal sensation of the senses that translates into a tingling sensation, drowsiness, etc. These alterations are produced by a pathology in any sector of the structures of the Central or Peripheral Nervous System.

Symptoms

As a rule, people with hyperesthesia experience most unpleasant sensations through touch, although there are cases in which the senses of sight and hearing are also affected.

Although specific moments of very intense reactions to stimuli may occur, people with hyperesthesia often feel sensations of tickling, tingling, or numbness almost permanently throughout throughout the day

It should be noted that the person suffering from hyperesthesia can suffer very high levels of anxiety, depression, which They can lead to isolation and total interference in your daily life (work, social, family and personal). Abnormal reactions to stimuli can appear at any time of the day, and therein lies one of the most interfering elements of hyperesthesia.

From the moment that almost any sensory element from the outside can be extremely annoying for the person, there is an interference in their normal rhythm of life. For example, as we have mentioned before, the rubbing of certain articles of clothing, the intensity of the light (it can become unbearable for eyes), contact with warm or hot water, covering yourself with a blanket, shaving or waxing... Even physical and sexual contact with other people.

Let's say that the sensitive threshold of the person is well below what is adaptively best for the human being.Therefore, when faced with the same stimulus with the same intensity, they will feel more pain by default than a person without hyperesthesia. Thus, the resistance against pain is much lower. What for us could be pleasurable and self-care activities (getting a massage, applying an exfoliant to the skin, waxing...) for these people could hardly be tolerated.

The variables that determine whether the stimulus is considered negative are its intensity, the speed with which it is presented and/or the number of stimuli. Some people may be more rejected by the touch of a specific garment (p. g., a sweater) by its intensity, and another person with this condition may feel intense negative tactile sensations in various regions of their body and through multiple stimuli (eg. g., several items of clothing at the same time).

Dental or dentinal hyperesthesia

Surely more than once you have felt at some point in your life an intense reaction to the annoying or painful sensation generated by contact with cold food (who has not made the mistake of wanting to eat an ice cream too fast?).

This type of hyperesthesia is specific to the dental area. It is characterized by experiencing an exaggerated response to thermal stimuli in the dental region.. As you know, it usually manifests with a sharp and short pain (even stabbing) in the denture that is exposed. This may be due to the loss of dental enamel due to erosion, periodontal disease or aggressive and abrasive brushing.

Causes

Fortunately, hyperesthesia is a rare condition. Most cases are due to a primary cause (psychopathology or consumption of psychoactive substances), and it is understood that it is a secondary symptom of said causes. We will detail each of them.

Comorbid psychopathologies to hyperesthesia

  • Mania: Some subjects suffering from Type I Bipolar Disorder who are undergoing a manic episode may experience hyperesthesia, although this is usually a rare symptom. Experts have hypothesized that the activation and cerebral excitation generated by mania would be responsible for lowering the sensory threshold and causing this annoying perceptual condition.
  • psychotic disorders: in these cases hyperesthesia is usually more prevalent, but in no case is it a typical symptom of psychotic disorders. However, the mental disorder in which more cases of hyperesthesia are seen is schizophrenia. Although there is no conclusive body of research in this regard, it is believed that alterations in brain function cause the appearance of this perceptual condition.

Substances likely to generate hyperesthesia

  • Psychoactive substances (cocaine, methamphetamine): As a result of the consumption of these substances, an increase in the sensory sensitivity of the person can be caused. In this type of case, hyperesthesia usually runs parallel to the intoxication of the psychoactive substance, so it disappears when the psychoactive effects of the drug end.
  • heroin use: Sedative and opioid substances can cause hyperesthesia. In several studies, heroin use has been positively related to experiencing these sensations.

This excessive sensitivity resulting from stimuli and sensations can lead the person to abuse substances to cope with the situation (such as cocaine or alcohol), and in psychological problems such as anxiety or depression clinic.

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