You are too sensitive…!! Stop being so dramatic… it was just a joke, stop being a Rainman… Sorry, I did not intend to offend you…Can’t you be just normal..?
Sounds familiar, huh…? If yes, then you are on the right page. In today’s post, we are going to understand highly sensitive people and I’m sure you would relate to all the situations.
Whether you are a sensitive person who thinks at a higher and deeper level compared to others or you are someone who is searching for more information to know about their beloved behavior, this post is going to be very beneficial for both of you. But before that let’s try to know what a highly sensitive person is.
What is a highly sensitive person?
A highly sensitive person is a personality trait where a person has a deeper or more intense central nervous system sensitivity whether it’s emotional, physical, or even social stimuli. In short, it is also called HSP.
Being a Higher sensitive person(HSP) is not a mental illness or a mental issue, it’s just a personality trait. According to research, there are around 15-20% of the worldwide population and that’s why it is considered a minority. As a minority, it is often misunderstood by the majority. Here are some main characteristics of a highly sensitive person that will help you to understand them in a better way.
The main characteristic of a highly sensitive person you must know
Overthinking and overanalyzing
As we all know the oversensitive person thinks and feels everything on a deeper level, as a result overthinking may be normal in their life. Sometimes it could be a disadvantage but more often it works as an alarm which is a plus point. No doubt, overthinking consumes lots of energy and damages your confidence. But if we take it as an advantage it could be used in a positive way.
An overthinker has the ability to scan the danger or risk at a higher level compared to others. I know overthinking and over-analyzing things at that level can ruin the moment. But it’s a huge advantage for safety purposes.
Change is challenging: Takes time to adapt to the new environment
Being a highly sensitive person, you must have felt that adapting to a new environment or any kind of change can make you uncomfortable. It takes some time to accept the change.
Whether it’s a new job, a new location, or even a new classroom and teachers, it can make you feel uncomfortable. Because you get easily attached to your old routine and to the people who are surrounded by you and when any one of them gets changed it affects you badly.
Even the change in weather and climate may affect you. It may be overwhelming and can take some time to adapt to the new environment.
Another reason for it is you get used to your previous environment and chances are you develop an attachment with them. So that’s why it could be slightly challenging for you and takes some time to make you feel comfortable once again.
Get easily emotional
Highly sensitive people are considered very emotional people. Even tiny issues and problems can make them cry. I’m not sure about the highly sensitive men but when it comes to the highly sensitive women, crying on small issues or even separations from their closest friends can make them cry. Well, crying is completely fine and you should not hold it.
Criticism may hurt them badly
Criticism is a negative thing and it’s a part of life. Whether you are a student, an employee, running your own business, or even going to do something new and creative… you would face criticism everywhere. Most of us give zero fuck to the criticism and don’t think too much about that but a highly sensitive person may take it way seriously and can overreact to that.
Often take things personally
A highly sensitive person takes shits personally and this is one of the most common things you would notice in them. Whether it’s just a joke, prank, or even something offensive (intentional or unintentional), they just take it too personally.
The biggest challenge for the people around the highly sensitive person is they don’t know what could be offensive to them and what’s not. It may create a distance between them which is not a good thing.
Usually, people tag them as weak people without even knowing how they feel. That’s why they hardly try to engage with others easily because they know no one would understand them.
A creative person
Well, it’s not compulsory but most of the highly sensitive people are creative and their thought processes may be way more interesting compared to any other person out there. Sometimes, the non-HSPs find it hard to understand HSP’s point of view which is pretty normal.
They Feel the emotions and pain of others as if it’s their own: Empathy and kindness
One of the amazing characteristics an HSP possesses is that they are capable of understanding the feelings and emotions of others which is a great quality as a friend. That’s why empathy and kindness may be seen in their nature.
A huge “No’’ to violence and aggression.
When it comes to HSPs, violence, and aggression may disturb them deeply. Even if it’s a movie scene or a video clip, it still can affect them. From the fight, violence, and aggression to animal cruelty… a highly sensitive person can get easily upset with that.
And the worse part is people may think they are faking it or being over dramatic. So, if you are one of those who cry during a movie scene or think about all the scenarios on a deeper level, chances are you may be a highly sensitive person.
Over-stimuli to emotional, physical, or even environmental
A highly sensitive person may get affected by physical, emotional, or even social stimuli. Sometimes the situation might be overwhelming and exhausting and sometimes it could be exciting and full of joy, it can affect the highly sensitive person in both ways depending on the circumstances.
It may sound weird to non-HSPs that even the itching clothes, loud noise, and bright light may create disturbance for them. Understanding and knowing about someone’s behavior is better than judging them. Hope you got what my point is.
The highly sensitive person at love: Myth v/s reality
Highly sensitive people can be really good at love as they possess very strong characteristics that play a crucial role in a successful relationship but dealing with an HSP could be slightly challenging for their partner. Because chances are their partner would not be able to understand their thought process and emotions on such a deeper level as an HSP does.
Plus, getting easily offended by small issues, assumptions about their partner that “they don’t love them anymore” and overthinking can make them boring for their partner.
You all would agree that small conflicts, arguments, and cute fights are gonna be part of a long-term relationship because real life is way different from a romantic movie scene. Most of the conflicts and fights in a relationship take place due to misunderstanding and selfishness.
The best thing you can do is to invest some time and make a little bit of effort to know about your highly sensitive love partner. It will help you to understand them in a better way.
Apart from this, if you are a highly sensitive person and reading this then I would advise you to try to understand from your partner’s perspective and know what he/she wants from the relationship.
A highly sensitive person can be a great partner, all you need is just give them some time and try to understand their thought process.
A highly sensitive person can be a loyal, caring, and committed life partner because a highly sensitive person possesses so many qualities that are required in a soulmate for a successful relationship. All you need to do is just try to understand them.
The highly sensitive person at work: A good employer or a weak participant? Let’s find out.
The highly sensitive person can be great as well as sometimes low at work depending on the individual and the circumstances. From being highly focused, serious about their performance, and taking feedback with full responsibility to freezing and getting nervous in work stress and multitasking, it has its own pros and cons.
Highly sensitive people can be very serious about their responsibility at work. They don’t like to compromise on the quality of work. And, sometimes they might find it difficult to handle the stress. And deadlines which might be a disadvantage in their professional life.
The ability to think and feel at a deeper level can be helpful in problem solving and perfectionism but when it comes to making a quick decision, taking the risk, and handling too much workload then it might be a challenging situation for them.
Learning new things fast, being dedicated to goals and results, and maintaining the perfection. And quality of output are something that can be seen in a highly sensitive person at work.
But sometimes perfectionism may spoil the opportunity and can be a hurdle in quick decision-making. So, we need to keep that in mind as well. But, as I mentioned above it depends on person to person and most of the situation. So it’s better to observe by yourself instead of being judgmental about someone.
Easy and effective ways to deal with a highly sensitive person: Bonding matters a lot.
Understanding
Sometimes it might be irritating or weird to deal with a highly sensitive person for non-HSPs. Because we hardly make any effort to understand other people’s feelings. And personality traits, which is obviously not a good thing.
But when it comes to the HSPs, they may understand the feeling, emotions, and pain of people around them in a better way. We should also try to understand them. Understanding plays a major role in any relationship and strengthens the bond between two people.
A deep and healthy communication
Rather than just assuming by their behavior it’s better to have healthy communication with them. A deep and healthy conversation can be so helpful when it comes to dealing with a highly sensitive person.
Communication has always been a great way to connect with the people around us. Not only it helps you to understand each other in a more meaningful way but also strengthens the bond between both of you.
Give them personal space
You don’t need to poke them all the time. If they need some space and time make sure you don’t bother them. It doesn’t mean they are careless or too selfish, it’s just they need to get charged and gain energy.
Emotions matter a lot
Since the HSPs experience emotion and feeling on a deeper level, they expect the same from others. You have to understand that even small issues can affect them. Make sure you don’t play with their emotions and maintain trust.
One of the best things you can do is give them time and personal space whenever requires. Let them know you are with them whenever they need you.
Don’t label them
One of the most important things you need to keep in mind. While dealing with a highly sensitive person is to stop labeling them. Make sure not to tell them they are “too sensitive” or “emotional” again and again.
We all are different and possess different personality traits but that doesn’t mean we should start labeling each other. Especially when it comes to highly sensitive people. It not only creates a distance between you and that person. But also represents you as a negative and not-so-supportive person.
Some Quotes Highly Sensitive People Will Instantly Relate To
Conclusion
A highly sensitive person always has been misunderstood by other people. If you are confused about someone’s behavior and personality traits, it’s better to put some effort into knowing about them.
Before knowing anything, judging someone is not a good thing. Hope this post will help everyone out there to make a good relationship with their co-worker. classmate, or even love interest (who are an HSP).
And one more thing I would add here, being a Highly sensitive person just let them know how it feels. And what bothers you, so your family and friends would be more supportive of you.
How would they cooperate with you when they don’t know about your personality traits? Hope you got my point.
