10 Signs You Might Be a “Highly Sensitive Person”

Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP)? If so, you’re not alone. It is estimated that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the population is highly sensitive. In fact, scientists now believe there is a gene behind this trait.

But what does it mean to be highly sensitive? The HSP is generally defined as someone with increased physical, mental, and emotional responses to external (social, environmental) or internal (intra-personal) stimuli.”

While being highly sensitive can be an incredible gift, it can also make many “normal” life situations feel awkward and downright uncomfortable. But fear not, there are some benefits to being highly sensitive, and I’ll share those a little later in this post.

Signs You May Be a Highly Sensitive Person

If you are curious whether you may be part of the population that is highly sensitive, here are 10 signs to look for:

1. You feel both positive and negative emotions deeply.
2. You avoid violent or scary movies.
3. You sometimes become overwhelmed or annoyed by noises, lights, and smells.
4. You pick up on subtleties that others don’t tend to notice.
5. You become very emotional and deeply moved by the injustices of the world.
6. You often worry what others think of you.
7. You take things personally.
8. You have a hard time letting things go and receiving critical feedback.
9. You tend to overthink and overanalyze, especially when it comes to relationships.
10. You are empathetic, caring, and generous.

Benefits of Being a Highly Sensitive Person

As I mentioned earlier, while being a HSP can cause you to feel overwhelmed at times, there are some definite perks to being highly sensitive. For starters, you are someone who can enjoy subtle sensory detail that a majority of the population misses. You get pleasure from noticing the end of day light play. You’ll notice subtle shades of color and texture and feel immense pleasure at the littler things in life like your child’s smile.

You’re also someone others like being around because you are aware of others’ feelings, needs and emotions. Because of this natural empathy, HSPs make great teachers, counselors, nurses, and leaders.

HSPs are also incredibly creative ue to their deeper processing. Many artists, musicians and famous actors are highly sensitive people who have gifted the world with their talent and insight into what it means to be human.

As you can see, if you can manage the negative aspects of being a highly sensitive person, you can reap some pretty great rewards.

If you or someone you love suspects they are a HSP and would like to explore treatment options to manage those negative aspects, please get in touch with me. I’d love to discuss how I may be able to help.