Being too sensitive, often described as being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or having high Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), is not a mental illness or disorder. It is considered an innate, biologically grounded personality trait involving deep processing of emotional and physical stimuli.
High sensitivity is thought to have genetic roots, and some specific gene variants have been associated with the trait. But early childhood environments may play a role as well; evidence suggests that early experiences may have an epigenetic effect on the genes associated with sensitivity.
A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) often feels overwhelmed by external stimuli and emotions. They might have been labeled as “too sensitive” at some point, a phrase typically used to invalidate their feelings. When dealing with an HSP, it's crucial to create a calm environment and use gentle communication.
People with avoidant personality disorder are very sensitive to anything critical, disapproving, or mocking because they constantly think about being criticized or rejected by others. They are vigilant for any sign of a negative response to them.
The relationship between highly sensitive people and anger is a much-misunderstood topic. Due to traits of their personality, heightened empathy or childhood conditioning, many highly sensitive people have repressed anger, and do not know how to deal with their emotions healthily.
According to Dr. Elaine Aron's research, HSP are more sensitive or responsive to stimuli. Therefore, they seem more sensitive to caffeine, beautiful music, violence in the media, and even physical pain (1).
6. HSPs feel everything more deeply than others, which can make them seem over-emotional to others who don't understand their nature. HSPs have a heightened sensitivity to many things in life. They can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, strong odors, or large crowds.
Life can, at times, feel harder simply because the world hasn't been designed for the sensitive person. So, it's important for the highly sensitive soul to understand their trait in order to create a life that works for them and not against them.
Personality disorders involve pervasive patterns of unusual behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, making it hard to function, with common signs including unstable relationships, identity issues, extreme mood swings, impulsive/risky actions (like self-harm or substance misuse), persistent distrust, intense fear of abandonment, difficulty with emotional regulation, problems controlling anger, lack of empathy, and trouble with boundaries or self-image.
Borderline personality disorder usually begins by early adulthood. The condition is most serious in young adulthood. Mood swings, anger and impulsiveness often get better with age. But the main issues of self-image and fear of being abandoned, as well as relationship issues, go on.
Possible causes of high sensitivity include: Genetic factors: Genetics may correlate with high sensitivity. Research has shown that HSPs may respond differently to dopamine receptors. Lack of parental warmth: Research also shows that parental warmth is essential for personality development.
As one of the things you shouldn't say to a Highly Sensitive Person, “calm down” is up there with “you're too sensitive.” Think about the message you're delivering: “There's a right and wrong level of intensity, and I'm the one who decides what's too much.”
High sensitivity can be defined as acute physical, mental, and emotional responses to external or internal stimuli. A highly sensitive person will likely “feel too much” and “feel too deep.” Signs can include various sensitivities about oneself, others, and one's environment.
Common traits of highly sensitive people (HSPs)
High sensitivity can certainly create challenges for people, most notably being easily overstimulated and overwhelmed. HSPs are more deeply tuned into the various stimuli in our environments, and it can be draining to be exposed to so many attentional demands.
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Stress management techniques, like deep breathing, exercise, and time management, can reduce its impact. Lowering your stress levels can make sensitivity more manageable, allowing you to better regulate your emotions without the impact of added stress.
Five key signs of a narcissist include a grandiose sense of self-importance, an excessive need for admiration, a strong sense of entitlement, lack of empathy for others' feelings, and a tendency to exploit or manipulate people for personal gain, all stemming from a fragile ego and deep insecurity. They often boast, feel unique, get easily slighted by criticism, and disregard others' needs.
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But Elaine Aron, one of the leading writers and researchers on the personality trait of high sensitivity (sensory processing sensitivity) notes it is present for about 15 to 20 percent of us. She has found that HSPs (highly sensitive persons) “do cry more readily than others. It was a strong finding in our research.”
The frequent confusion about the interplay of sensitivity and trauma is certainly understandable. While being an HSP is not caused by trauma, difficult life experiences are amplified by high sensitivity.
The difference is that SPD can cause decreased motor function,6 which is not a characteristic of HSPs. In addition, SPD can cause under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli, whereas it's characteristic of HSPs to over-respond. Autism: High sensitivity is not a form of autism.
Some links have been found with intelligence as well. However, high sensitivity is not the same as being “gifted”. Although some highly sensitive children may be “gifted”, most highly sensitive children will not differ substantially from less sensitive children regarding their intelligence.
What motivates the darker side of personality? The Dark Tetrad of personality (i.e., sub-clinical traits of sadism, psychopathy, narcissism and Machiavellianism) has demonstrated use in predicting self-reported risk-taking behaviour, but more research is needed.
Stress & Sensitivity Can Worsen With Age for HSPs. Here's How to Prevent That. If you are a highly sensitive person (HSP) you might be growing larger stress centers in your brain without even knowing it, and if you don't do anything about it, they will become even bigger. The larger they grow, the harder life will be.