Parent's reaction to hypersensitivity

by Aingie
(Indiana)

I am wondering what the best way is to react when the child is "freaking out" due to hypersensitivity. i.e. he falls down and scrapes his knee but is wailing and crying as if he broke a bone. I understand a large amount of pain is felt by the child- my tendency is to be empathetic and comforting but some have said we should tell him to brush it off and keep going, that a lesser parental reaction will help the child also minimize their reaction. What do you think?