hypersensitivity
Exaggerated immune response
Hypersensitivity is an exaggerated or excessive response to something.
In medicine, it describes an immune system overreaction to substances that are normally harmless—allergies are hypersensitivity reactions.
More broadly, it means being easily offended or emotionally reactive: His hypersensitivity to criticism made feedback sessions difficult.
The word often carries a faintly dismissive tone, suggesting the reaction is disproportionate to the cause.
Immune response trigger
- antihistamineDrug blocking allergic response
- anaphylaxisSevere systemic allergic reaction
- hivesRaised itchy skin reaction
- epinephrineAdrenal stress hormone
pollen · dust mites · pet dander · histamine · allergic reaction · swelling · itching · rash
Disproportionate emotional response
- touchinessReadiness to feel slighted
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- easily offendedProne to taking umbrage
- defensivenessResistance to perceived attack
irritability · reactivity · hair-trigger · quick to anger · emotional volatility · mood swings · temperamental · prickliness
Body attacks itself
- lymphocyteImmune system white cell
- cytokineImmune signaling molecule
- inflammatory responseBody's reaction to injury
- lupusChronic autoimmune disorder
rheumatoid · celiac · multiple sclerosis · T-cell · antibody · flare-up · chronic inflammation · immunotherapy
Sharing another's emotions
- attunementHarmonious receptive connection
- perceptivenessAbility to notice subtleties
- reading emotionsUnderstanding others' internal states
- social cuesIndicators of interpersonal meaning
Excessive sensory input
- photophobiaAbnormal aversion to brightness
- migraineSevere neurological head pain
- fibromyalgiaChronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
- misophoniaSound-triggered emotional disorder
allergen
Immune response trigger
- antihistamineDrug blocking allergic response
- anaphylaxisSevere systemic allergic reaction
- hivesRaised itchy skin reaction
epinephrine · pollen · dust mites · pet dander · histamine · allergic reaction · swelling · itching · rash · wheezing
overreaction
Disproportionate emotional response
- touchinessReadiness to feel slighted
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- easily offendedProne to taking umbrage
defensiveness · irritability · reactivity · hair-trigger · quick to anger · emotional volatility · mood swings · temperamental · prickliness · umbrage
autoimmune
Body attacks itself
- lymphocyteImmune system white cell
- cytokineImmune signaling molecule
- inflammatory responseBody's reaction to injury
lupus · rheumatoid · celiac · multiple sclerosis · T-cell · antibody · flare-up · chronic inflammation · immunotherapy · desensitization
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- attunementHarmonious receptive connection
- perceptivenessAbility to notice subtleties
- reading emotionsUnderstanding others' internal states
social cues · intuitive · emotional intelligence · overstimulated
overstimulation
Excessive sensory input
- photophobiaAbnormal aversion to brightness
- migraineSevere neurological head pain
- fibromyalgiaChronic widespread musculoskeletal pain condition
misophonia · stimulus · threshold · amplification · neuropathy
- allergiesallergy, allergies, allergen, allergens, allergist
- sensitivityoversensitivity, sensitization, oversensitive, desensitization, touchiness
- adverse eventsside effect, allergic reaction, drug reaction, complication, complications
- contraindicationspregnancy, breastfeeding, allergies, allergy, drug allergy
- drug effectsanalgesia, allergic reaction, stimulation, vasodilation, vasoconstriction
- drug reactionsadverse reaction, adverse reactions, side effects, drug allergy, allergic reaction
hypersensitivityhyposensitivity
Decreased reaction to stimuli
insensitivity · desensitization · numbness · tolerance · unresponsiveness
hypersensitivityemotional detachment
Withdrawal from feelings
insensitivity · stoicism · impassivity · toughness · resilience
hypersensitivitytolerance
Willingness to accept difference
resistance · immunity · robustness · hardiness · resilience
sensitive, sensation, sensitivity, insensitive, sensational, sensory, insensitivity, sensitize, sensualist