The Five Overexcitabilities
Psychomotor Overexcitability
Psychomotor overexcitability refers to increased arousal and activity in the areas of bodily movement and energy. People with strong psychomotor overexcitability experience an inner restlessness that drives them to constant action and movement. This intensity is not only physical but often also linked to mental and emotional tension.
Characteristics of psychomotor OE include a constant need to be busy, difficulty sitting still, and an increased pace of action and thought. Individuals with this OE often have difficulty relaxing, become easily frustrated by waiting or inactivity, and sometimes exhibit impulsive behavior.
Typical manifestations include multitasking—the ability (or need) to perform several tasks simultaneously—a pronounced desire for sports or physical activity, and a rapid, energetic speaking style. Impatience when forced to wait or interrupted is also characteristic.
However, this strong physical energy can also bring pitfalls. The constant movement and mental pressure can easily lead to chronic stress or overexertion. Furthermore, there’s a risk that impulsiveness leads to ill-considered decisions, which can hinder functioning at work or in relationships.
Yet, this OE is also a great strength. Psychomotor intensity gives people great decisiveness and entrepreneurial spirit. They are often proactive, dynamic, and able to respond effectively to changing situations. When they learn to channel and regulate this energy, they utilize their psychomotor OE as a valuable resource for creativity, productivity, and personal growth.
Sensory Overexcitability
Sensory OE refers to a heightened sensitivity to sensory input, such as sounds, smells, tastes, visual impressions, or tactile stimuli. Individuals with strong sensory OE perceive their environment more intensely and react to it more strongly. What seems like background noise to others can be overwhelming or even painful for someone with sensory OE.
Possible manifestations: This hypersensitivity can manifest as both discomfort and pleasure. On the one hand, it can lead to overstimulation in busy environments such as open-plan offices, shopping malls, or noisy social settings. On the other hand, people with this OE often experience a deep appreciation for aesthetics: they can be intensely moved by music, colors, textures, tastes, or smells. Their sensory experience is not superficial, but rich, deep, and layered.
Pitfalls: The downside of sensory OE is overstimulation. When the environment offers too much stimulation and there are insufficient recovery moments, this can lead to fatigue, withdrawal, or even physical complaints such as headaches, nausea, or skin irritation. This intense experience requires conscious stimulus management – something that isn’t always self-evident in our often busy and chaotic society.
Strength: At the same time, this sensitivity harbors a special strength. People with sensory OE often have a refined eye (or ear, nose, or skin) for detail, harmony, and beauty. They can perceive subtle cues that others miss and possess a highly developed aesthetic intelligence. In creative professions, the arts, design, or healthcare, this sensitivity is often a tremendous asset.
Intellectual Overexcitability
Intellectual OE manifests as a constant hunger for knowledge, understanding, and meaning. People with this type of intensity have a sharp, often analytical mind and become deeply engaged with ideas, concepts, and abstract questions. They are naturally curious, seeking to understand the world, and rarely settle for superficial answers.
Possible manifestations: This OE is recognizable by endlessly asking questions, searching for logic, and making connections between diverse topics. Philosophical or ethical reflection often arises early on – “Why is something the way it is?” is a question that never gets old. Many people with this OE delve deeply into books, theories, or systems, finding relaxation in intellectual stimulation. They can also engage in passionate discussions and enjoy complexity.
Pitfalls: The downside of intellectual intensity is the risk of overthinking: analyzing instead of acting, or hesitating so long about the best option that ultimately nothing happens (analysis paralysis). Furthermore, there is sometimes a tendency to rationalize or deny emotions, allowing the head to dominate the heart. This can lead to distance in relationships or to inner imbalance if feelings are not sufficiently acknowledged.
Strength: Intellectual OE is a tremendous resource. It enables someone to learn quickly, understand complex problems, and devise original solutions. These individuals are often versatile, have a wide range of interests, and bring depth to conversations and collaborations. When their thinking skills are deployed in an appropriate context, they can understand complex systems, think strategically, and generate innovative ideas.
Imaginative Overexcitability
Imaginative OE – also called imagination – refers to an extraordinary wealth of inner images, fantasies, and symbolic thinking. People with this intensity possess a vivid, often cinematic inner world, in which everything seems possible. They can easily imagine things that don’t (yet) exist and often think associatively, playfully, and visually.
Possible manifestations: This sensitivity manifests as daydreaming, making up stories or scenarios, a strong affinity for fiction or art, or spontaneously visualizing ideas. People with this OE can become lost in their imagination: they replay entire conversations in their minds, see colors with emotions (synesthesia), or think in metaphors and symbols. For them, creativity is not a skill, but a way of being.
Pitfalls: The pitfall lies in the risk of escaping reality. When stressed or insecure, these people may withdraw into their inner world—a safe haven where control and beauty do exist. This can lead to dissociation, avoidance behavior, or difficulty distinguishing between internally conceived and externally achievable. They may also struggle with practical matters or taking concrete steps, because ideas develop faster than their execution.
Strength: The imaginative OE is a rich source of creativity, innovation, and empathy. People with this sensitivity are often original thinkers, artists, designers, or visionaries. They can translate abstract ideas into images, stories, or movement, and often see possibilities where others see limitations. Their ability to imagine something that doesn’t yet exist makes them pioneers in both thought and feeling—if they can connect their imagination with reality.
Emotional Overexcitability
Emotional OE is perhaps the most visible and tangible form of intensity. People with this overexcitability experience emotions not merely as passing sensations, but as deep inner movements that can overwhelm them. They feel more, deeper, and more nuanced than average—whether it’s joy, sadness, compassion, or shame.
Another characteristic is their strong emotional attachment: they are deeply invested in people, animals, values, and ideals. Their lives are often guided by a deep moral compass, a desire for justice, and an inner need for meaning.
Possible manifestations: In daily life this sensitivity can manifest itself in a wide range of behaviors:
– being easily affected by injustice, suffering or beauty
– deep connection with others, even with people or animals they do not know personally
– strong, sometimes violent reactions to conflict or rejection
– existential thinking about life, death, responsibility and meaning
– worrying, feeling guilty or losing oneself in emotional reactions
These thirty-somethings may be seen as ’too sensitive’, but their perception is not pretentious – it is an essential part of their personality.
Pitfalls: Due to the intensity and depth of their emotional life, these individuals can quickly become overwhelmed. They absorb the emotions of others, have difficulty setting boundaries, and often feel responsible for the well-being of others.
Without proper regulation and self-care, emotions can escalate into internal dramas, dragging the person down with fear, shame, or sadness. In relationships, this can lead to dependency, over-involvement, or entanglement, as it becomes difficult to maintain distance or let go.
Self-image also sometimes suffers from this OE: many find themselves ’too intense’, ’too much’, or have the feeling that others cannot handle or understand them.
Strength: At the same time, the emotional OE is a deep source of inner wealth, moral awareness, and relational strength. People with this intensity are often warm, caring, loyal, and deeply empathetic. They sense the needs of others intimately, can comfort and connect, and often make genuine, deep connections.
Their emotions aren’t a weakness, but a radar for humanity—provided they learn to manage them. If these thirtysomethings learn to embrace their sensitivity, they can grow into people who bring healing, inspiration, and connection to those around them.
Combinations and interactions
The five Overexcitabilities—psychomotor, sensory, intellectual, imaginative, and emotional—are rarely experienced in isolation in practice. Gifted individuals in their thirties often exhibit multiple OEs simultaneously, in unique combinations that together form a complex, nuanced, and intense psychological profile.
Multiple intensity: not addable, but interwoven
When multiple OEs converge, they don’t create a simple sum, but a layered tension in which one sensitivity amplifies, magnifies, or deepens another. These interactions allow an experience to penetrate more deeply, resonate more powerfully, and have a greater impact—on thinking, feeling, actions, and relationships.
For example:
– Emotional + Intellectual:
A person with both deep sensitivity and a strong tendency to analyze can reflect endlessly on what they feel—and why. Emotions are not only felt, but also explored, weighed, and questioned. This often leads to existential questions (“Why do I feel this so strongly?”) and a search for meaning and moral direction. But it can also lead to emotional paralysis or overanalysis, leaving one stuck in self-exploration without concrete action.
– Psychomotor + Sensory:
In this combination, a thirty-something can feel constantly rushed or tense: the body wants to move, the mind seeks stimulation, but at the same time, the world becomes overwhelming due to loud noises, bright lights, or crowds. This can lead to restlessness and exhaustion, but also to a strong sense of energy, expression, and presence, provided there is sufficient self-care and boundaries.
– Imaginative + Emotional:
A rich imagination combined with deep emotions creates an intense inner life. Daydreams become entire worlds, emotions are processed into images, stories, or art. These people can lose themselves in fantasies, but also develop powerful creative and empathic abilities.
The power of complexity
Although these intensities are sometimes experienced as ‘difficult’ or ‘too much’ – by themselves or by the outside world – they also form the foundation of an exceptionally rich inner life, a great capacity for adaptation and empathy, and a profound motivation for personal growth.
The challenge lies in learning to recognize and regulate these overlapping sensitivities: understanding when you’re being propelled by internal turmoil, touched by sensory or emotional input, or caught in a spiral of thoughts. Learning to distinguish these layers allows you to give them direction instead of becoming overwhelmed.
A unique profile per person
Because the sequence, intensity, and interplay of OEs vary from person to person, thousands of unique combinations arise. This explains why no two gifted thirty-somethings function exactly the same. Self-awareness begins with learning to recognize which OEs dominate you, how they manifest, and how they influence each other.
Overexcitabilities in relation to Kieboom’s embodio’s
The Overexcitabilities (OEs) from Dabrowski’s theory and the embodio’s as described by Tessa Kieboom are different models, but they touch on the same core: the complex inner and behavioral patterns of (presumably) gifted individuals. While OEs emphasize inner intensity and sensitivity to stimuli, the embodies describe the visible behaviors and pitfalls that can result from them—often unconsciously and unintentionally.
Overlap and reinforcement
Certain OEs occur surprisingly often in combination with specific embodio’s. Below are some examples of what this dynamic can look like:
- Emotional OE ↔ Embodio 7 (Intense emotions/drama queen behavior)
People with emotional OE experience emotions deeply, intensely, and for long periods of time. When these emotions are not properly regulated or when the environment does not understand them, this can lead to behaviors that are perceived by others as “exaggerated” or “theatrical.” The term dramaqueen is then a misplaced interpretation of a genuine inner struggle. - Intellectual OE ↔ Embodio 1 (Seeing oneself as the standard)
Someone with strong intellectual OE thinks deeply, abstractly, and critically. This can lead to (unconsciously) adopting their own way of thinking as the norm—not out of arrogance, but out of logic and a need for consistency. Frustration arises when others don’t follow this speed or abstraction, which is often interpreted as self-righteousness, but essentially stems from a difference in cognitive intensity. - Sensory OE ↔ Embodio 10 (Social interaction is difficult)
Sensory hypersensitivity makes crowded environments, bright lights, or excessive stimulation difficult to tolerate. When someone withdraws or avoids it as a result, it’s often interpreted as shyness, a lack of social skills, or even arrogance. In reality, it’s often a self-protective strategy against overstimulation, not a lack of interest in others. - Psychomotor OE ↔ Embodio 6 (Empty toolbox of executive functions)
The urge for action and internal turmoil of psychomotor OE can lead to difficulties with planning, structuring, and persistence. This is often misunderstood as laziness or sloppiness, while it is actually a sign of internal hyperactivity that overrides the control of executive functions. - Imaginative OE ↔ Embodio 4 (Leaving your comfort zone is difficult)
A saturated imagination can cause someone to endlessly visualize scenarios—including everything that could go wrong. These mental images can make taking risks or straying from familiar paths difficult, because the internal imagination “feels” and considers every decision beforehand. This can stagnate decision-making, and keep someone stuck in their comfort zone.
OEs and misinterpretation of behavior
One of the greatest risks for gifted adults with strong OEs is that their behavior is misinterpreted – by colleagues, caregivers, managers, or even by themselves.
For example:
* A thirty-one-years old who appears irritable and distant at work may actually be overstimulated (sensory OE) and is trying to protect his nervous system.
* Someone who asks a lot of questions or constantly asks further questions is seen as a know-it-all or critical, while this stems from a genuine need to understand (intellectual OE).
* An employee who suddenly walks out of a meeting cannot cope with the intense emotional atmosphere, while others see it as unprofessional.
Without knowledge of OEs, these behaviors are pathologized or punished, rather than understood and supported. Embodios make visible what OEs make tangible: the behavior that arises when intensity is insufficiently recognized or regulated.
It’s no coincidence that there are so many misdiagnoses due to the unfamiliarity with giftedness in psychiatry. For a more in-depth look at this issue and its overlap with various diagnoses and behavioral characteristics, I’d like to refer you to my articles on misdiagnoses in gifted individuals.
From burden to strength
When OEs and embodio’s are read together, a powerful perspective emerges on the inner and outer functioning of gifted adults. It reveals how behavior isn’t always what it seems—and how a rich, intense, and sensitive inner world often lies beneath the surface.
By viewing OEs and embodies not as separate ‘problems’, but as expressions of human complexity, space is created for recognition, development and autonomy.
Overview of misdiagnoses related to OEs and possible mismedication
| Overexcitability-type | Features (from OE) | Possible misdiagnoses | therefore common mismedication | Explanation |
| Psychomotor OE | Inner turmoil, impulsiveness, energy | ADHD | Stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine) | Medication aimed at reducing impulsiveness and hyperactivity |
| Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) | Sometimes medication for comorbidity | |||
| Emotional OE | Deep emotions, intense feelings | Anxiety disorders, depression | SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline), benzodiazepines (short-term) | Medication to regulate emotional lability, anxiety and mood problems |
| Bipolar disorder | Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate) | |||
| Sensorische OE | Hypersensitivity to stimuli | No specific diagnosis; sometimes comorbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) | No standard medication; sometimes medication for ASD | Often, it is not medication that is used, but environmental adjustments and therapies |
| Intellectual OE | Strong need to think and worry | May overlap with OCD, giftedness (no diagnosis) | Sometimes SSRI for obsessive tendencies | Medication can relieve OCD symptoms, but intellectual intensity is not a disorder in itself |
| Presentations- rich OE | Rich imagination, daydreaming | Sometimes related to ADHD or ASD | No specific medication | Medication targets underlying disorders, not imagination itself |
Overexcitabilities in daily life
The influence of overexcitabilities extends far and deep into the lives of gifted adults. Because these heightened sensitivities and intensities are constantly present, they color how someone functions in various areas of life: at work, in relationships, and in their self-image. Understanding this dynamic helps recognize patterns, prevent misunderstandings, and foster personal growth.
At work: perfectionism, conflicts and overstimulation
The intellectual and emotional OEs are often the most decisive factors within the professional context.
Perfectionism arises from the combination of sharp analytical skills (intellectual OE) and a deep emotional connection to one’s work. Gifted adults with these OEs strive for excellence, which often leads to high demands on themselves and sometimes also on colleagues. While this can be powerful, it also creates a vulnerability: a constant fear of falling short, which can result in procrastination, stress, or burnout.
Conflicts with hierarchy can arise from a direct and critical mind, supported by intellectual and emotional OEs. The tendency to question rules and authorities is an expression of inner autonomy and integrity, but can lead to conflicts if not understood in the right context.
Overstimulation, especially in sensory and psychomotor OE, makes busy offices, long meetings, or hectic projects quickly exhausting. This can manifest as fatigue, irritability, or the need for withdrawal, which in a professional setting is often misinterpreted as a lack of commitment.
In relationships: deep connection versus hypersensitivity
Relationships offer gifted adults with OEs both intense satisfaction and challenge.
The emotional OE fosters a deep capacity for empathy, making connections intense and meaningful. This makes relationships rich and inspiring, but also vulnerable. Small conflicts can be experienced as major crises, causing unrest and sometimes stress.
Hypersensitivity means that not only emotions, but also social cues, nonverbal communication, and even the mood of a group are strongly perceived and internalized. This can lead to avoiding social situations to prevent overload, or to dramatic outbursts when the sense of injustice or misunderstanding becomes overwhelming.
– The imaginative OE contributes to fantasies about relationships, which fuels romance, but can also create expectations that don’t always meet reality. This can lead to disappointment and feelings of isolation.
In the self-image: searching for what is ‘normal’
For many gifted adults with OEs, self-image is a constant source of tension.
The feeling of being different arises because the intensity of thinking, feeling, and perceiving doesn’t match the normative experiences of peers. This can lead to uncertainty, doubt, and the search for confirmation.
At the same time, there is often an inner knowing of potential and originality, which enriches self-image and motivates self-development.
The confusion about ‘what is normal’ arises because external performance or behaviour sometimes does not match the internal experience: a socially successful person who feels internally empty or different, or a professional who struggles with their emotions and yet excels in their field.
This paradox makes it essential to learn to deal with one’s own intensity and thus embrace one’s own identity, rather than hiding or minimizing it.
What helps? Tips and suggestions for dealing with overexcitabilities (OEs)
Becoming aware of one’s own overexcitabilities is often a crucial first step in learning to manage these intensities. Realizing that these feelings and behaviors stem from a natural predisposition—and not from “weakness” or “bad behavior”—can bring peace and self-acceptance to many gifted individuals. Below is an overview of effective strategies and tools that can support and enhance daily functioning.
Psycho-education about OEs: recognition as a source of peace
Understanding what OEs are and how they manifest helps reduce feelings of confusion, isolation, and self-criticism. Psychoeducation clarifies that inner intensity is not a pathology, but a characteristic inherent in a complex developmental profile. This recognition:
– Makes it possible to be less harsh and judgmental towards yourself.
– Helps those around and close to you to better understand where certain behaviors come from.
– Increases self-awareness, which forms the basis for targeted coping strategies.
Self-care tailored to individual intensities
Because OEs can manifest in different ways, effective self-care requires a tailored approach. Some examples:
Sensory Reduction: Creating calming, low-stimulus environments prevents overload. Consider a quiet workspace, avoiding bright lights, or using noise-canceling headphones.
– Emotion regulation: Techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises or body-oriented therapy can help to calm and better manage emotions.
– Psychomotor release: Exercise, sport or creative expression can reduce inner turmoil and channel energy in a positive way.
It is important that self-care is not seen as ‘extra’ time, but as a fundamental part of healthy functioning.
Shaping work and relationships based on self-knowledge
Self-knowledge about OEs enables you to respect your own boundaries and improve communication:
At work: Set limits on workload, schedule breaks, and organize the workplace so that stimuli are manageable. Having the courage to express needs to colleagues and managers can prevent misunderstandings.
– In relationships: Openness about your own sensitivities can lead to greater understanding and connection. Partners and friends are invited to share their thoughts on what works and what doesn’t in interactions and communication.
Self-knowledge contributes to making choices that match personal energy and needs, thereby preventing burnout and conflict.
Seeking guidance from those familiar with OEs and giftedness
Professional support is crucial when intensities interfere with daily life. It’s important that caregivers have expertise not only in, for example, ADHD, autism, or emotional problems, but also in the specific characteristics of giftedness and hyperexcitabilities. This prevents misdiagnosis and allows for an integrated approach.
– Therapies that focus on self-acceptance, emotional regulation, and executive functions can be effective.
– Coaching can help develop strategies for work, self-organization and social skills.
Closure
Overexcitabilities are not disorders or shortcomings, but powerful expressions of an intense and profound human being. They shape how we experience the world, how we think, feel, and act. For gifted adults, these heightened sensitivities often hold the key to self-awareness, understanding, and personal growth.
By approaching these intensities with gentleness—both towards yourself and others—space is created for authenticity and development. It requires curiosity and compassion to acknowledge and embrace this inner dynamic, without falling into judgment or fixating on problems.
In light of Dabrowski’s theory and his Positive Disintegration, we see that experiencing inner tension, doubt, and sometimes disorientation is not the end of a path, but an invitation to a richer, fuller, and more meaningful existence. By recognizing and learning to manage our OEs, we can better utilize our potential as gifted adults and thus contribute to a life that does justice to our complexity and strength.
Therefore, let us not see these intensities as a burden, but as a gift – as an invitation to come ever closer to ourselves and to connect authentically with the world around us.
