You’re Not Crazy, You’re a Highly Sensitive Person

There’s nothing wrong with being a highly sensitive person.

I can’t stand chaos. I hate loud environments. Art makes me cry. Bright lights hurt my eyes. Was so-and-so just maybe a little bit rude in that email they sent me? I’ll have a bad taste in my mouth about it for, oh, probably about a week (*cough* a month) now.

To address what you are no doubt thinking: No, I am not a frigid, unsociable, boring buzzkill. In fact, if I do say so myself, I’m actually quite fun and outgoing when I need to be. I am, however, a very deep processor, extremely aware of the emotions of myself and others, and an avid appreciator of little things in life that often go unnoticed — in other words, I’m a textbook example of what is referred to as an HSP, or a highly sensitive person.

If you, like myself and 20 percent of the population, fall into this category, you likely often feel isolated because you’re unable to enjoy (or even simply tolerate) certain tasks and activities in the same way your peers do. The good news: this isn’t because you’re disdainful, crazy, or just plain difficult.

Recent research has shown that these reactions are actually due to a slightly different chemistry in the brains of highly sensitive people — notably, increased blood flow in the areas that process emotion, awareness, and empathy. So while your aversions may be difficult to accept at times, it’s important to understand that this is truly just the way you’re wired — and you honestly probably aren’t as weird as you think.

Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?

Think about someone you’d consider to be highly sensitive — I’m guessing you probably brought to mind someone who always sobs at chick flicks or is immediately offended by a seemingly harmless, offhand remark from a friend or colleague.

While this type of emotional sensitivity is often apparent in an HSP, it’s not as simple as being “overly emotional.” In fact, there’s one huge indicator of a true HSP that you may not be aware of — physical sensitivity.

Among other telltale signs, HSPs exhibit a high measure of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), which is a personality trait that has been described as having hypersensitivity to external stimuli, high emotional reactivity, and greater depth of cognitive processing. Basically, an HSP is someone who’s extra sensitive to all internal and external stimuli, and he or she is probably thinking just a little more about, well, everything, than your average Joe.

(Wondering you’re an HSP? Here are 21 signs you’re a highly sensitive person.)

What It Feels Like to Be Highly Sensitive

From an emotional standpoint, a careless heckle from a road-raging stranger can leave an HSP shaken for hours. Being given an overwhelming assignment at work may cause them to have a mini breakdown — though likely not until later, once they’re alone.

On the other hand, the sight of a grandfather playing with his grandkids or an unexpected compliment from a friend can leave an HSP elated for days. Personally, for reasons I have yet to understand, whenever I walk into an extraordinarily designed church (even though I’m not religious) or hear beautiful, symphonic music, I immediately start to tear up and have little control over it.

From a physical standpoint, sights, sounds, smells, textures, physical pain, consuming too much caffeine or sugar, not getting enough sleep, or even feelings of hunger can really throw an HSP for a loop. When an HSP experiences any of the above beyond a threshold that would seem quite low to a non-HSP, it can make it nearly impossible to concentrate or feel comfortable in their surroundings — and often, for reasons that may come off as bizarre to “outsiders.”

Perhaps an HSP can’t stand a stranger’s perfume at the grocery store, so they switch lines at the checkout. Or maybe they always need to be wearing sunglasses, even on the cloudiest of days, in order to shield their sensitive retinas from the sun. Maybe an hour or two into a party, they’ve disappeared to a quiet corner with fewer people or have even gone home because it was just too noisy.

While this all may seem like odd or reclusive behavior, it likely isn’t because they are either of those things — it’s simply because of their characteristically low tolerance for external stimuli that often feels like it’s attacking from every angle.

Being an HSP: the Good and the Bad

It’s definitely true that we all have our sensitive moments. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t been devastated by a breakup or saddened by harsh criticism.

But for HSPs, the bad news is their physical and emotional experiences are always processed at such a constant, high intensity, that it can really shape their lives — often as much as gender and race do — and often in ways that don’t adhere to the expectations of an extroverted society. Things like job performance, friendship, and romance can be greatly altered when one feels all these stimuli so deeply. Also, because they are so highly aware of their surroundings at all times, HSPs tend to have an increased risk of depression and anxiety — but there are a few ways to help that.

Now, going back to the thought that HSPs aren’t actually buzzkills, I’d like to address all of the good things about being an HSP — because while this personality trait may sometimes feel like a curse, it’s indeed a gift. Here are the top 10 reasons I couldn’t be more grateful to be an HSP:

1. HSPs really, genuinely care — and they’re good at it.

If a loved one, colleague, or acquaintance is going through a tough time, it’s very difficult for an HSP to walk away from the emotional situation without getting invested, thinking deeply about the issue, and offering their insights.

2. HSPs tend to be highly creative.

They’re attuned to subtleties of all kinds, and a richness in things that others may overlook. They draw inspiration from their complex inner lives, and in turn, create beauty, joy, and inspiration for others.

3. HSPs are incredibly conscientious and take great pride in their tasks.

They work hard to make sure things are done right and make great employees in roles that allow for autonomy, space, and time to ponder.

4. HSPs feel things deeply.

While this can be hindering when negative emotions arise, it also means that feelings of elation can reach a higher intensity than in non-HSPs.

5. HSPs are very sensitive to animals.

Because they’re so in tune with the energies, emotions, and lesser-noticed things in life, they’re often especially sensitive to animals and how they are handled.

6. HSPs have passion like no other.

It’s very easy for an HSP to experience genuine, blind passion for a topic — so much so that it seems they’re almost bursting with it.

7. HSPs are a genuine bunch.

They have a hard time faking interest in topics, people, tasks, and activities that don’t suit them, leaving more time to cultivate themselves, friendships, and the interests that help them to feel fulfilled.

8. HSPs make life about finding meaning.

They’re often driven by an internal search for meaning, and if something doesn’t feel meaningful, they can’t just “do it anyway” — they need to silence or filter it out.

9. HSPs are great at having deep, meaningful conversations.

They loathe small talk and unnecessary discussions because really, who has time for that?

10. HSPs are amazing problem solvers.

HSPs are extremely contemplative and will often take time to process and ponder an issue following a conversation. They’re not “out of sight, out of mind” types of people, and will keep cognitively working on solving problems and coming up with ideas if a conversation hasn’t completely resolved a question (bringing us back to No. 1).

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How to Know if You’re an HSP

Thinking you might be a highly sensitive person? Here are a few simple questions to ask yourself:

• Do loud environments make you want to run and hide?
• Do you get really irritable when you’re hungry?
• Does attending a musical, visiting an art gallery, or reading poetry stir up your emotions?
• Does having several different tasks to complete make you less productive because you become overwhelmed and stressed?
• Do you consider yourself abnormally empathetic?
• Does it take you longer than most to make decisions?
• Do you hate open office plans and prefer to work in private, calm environments?
• Do you despise gory, violent movies?
• Do you easily sense when other people are feeling overwhelmed?
• Does presenting to an audience often go poorly because you loathe working in front of watchful eyes?
• After a long day, do you need somewhere quiet and peaceful to recharge?

If you answered yes more times than not, chances are you’re an HSP. Congrats! You’re part of a club of deep-thinking, creative doers who might just need a little more downtime than most.

If you’d like to take a slightly more official self-assessment, check out this quiz created by Dr. Elaine Aron, who began studying the innate temperament trait of high sensitivity back in 1991. Dr. Aron is the reason for my interest in HSPs, as I discovered I was one after reading her book, The Highly Sensitive Person — I couldn’t recommend it more.

Embrace Your Sensitivity

Being a highly sensitive person doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you — it simply means that you process sensory data more deeply than most. And while this has its drawbacks, it also has many beautiful and unique advantages. Recognizing that you’re an HSP is the first step to embracing it and learning how to better care for yourself. Now get out there and make that sensitivity work for you!

You might like:

• 21 Signs That You’re a Highly Sensitive Person
• Why Highly Sensitive People Get Mentally and Emotionally ‘Flooded’
• 14 Things Highly Sensitive People Absolutely Need to Be Happy

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