Dominicsage 
Have you ever been in a crowded room, maybe at a party or a family gathering, and suddenly felt completely overwhelmed, like the noise and energy around you were closing in on you? Or maybe someone said something slightly harsh, and while others brushed it off, you couldn’t stop thinking about it for days? If you’ve ever felt this way, you might have asked yourself, Am I just anxious? Am I introverted? Or could there be something more going on? Well, you’re not alone in wondering. In recent years, more and more people have started identifying as “highly sensitive persons” (HSPs), a term that’s gained some attention thanks to psychologists and researchers diving into the concept.
‘highly sensitive person’ – a study
And let me tell you, as someone who’s always felt a bit more in tune with the world around me than most people seem to be, discovering that there’s a term for this experience was a game-changer. I used to think there was something wrong with me, like maybe I was too anxious or too shy, but learning about being a highly sensitive person really helped me understand myself in a new way. So, what does it mean to be an HSP? And how is it different from just being introverted or anxious?
So, What Exactly Is a “Highly Sensitive Person”?
The term “highly sensitive person” was first coined by psychologist Elaine Aron in the 1990s. She suggested that around 15-20% of the population has a trait known as sensory processing sensitivity, which essentially means that their nervous system is more attuned to the world around them. HSPs tend to notice subtleties that others might miss—like the slight change in someone’s tone of voice or the flicker of a lightbulb—and they often feel emotions more deeply.
Now, if you’re reading this and thinking, Wait a minute, that sounds a lot like me, then you’re already on the right track. I remember the first time I stumbled across the term “HSP” while scrolling through an article online. It was like a lightbulb went off. For years, I’d felt overwhelmed in situations that seemed totally normal to other people, and I thought maybe I was just wired differently. Turns out, I wasn’t wrong.
Being highly sensitive doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, though. It’s just that you experience the world in a more intense way. Some days, that feels like a superpower—like when you notice the beauty in small things or deeply connect with someone’s emotions. Other days, it can feel exhausting. Trust me, I’ve been there.
The Difference Between Anxiety, Introversion, and Sensitivity
One of the big questions people ask when they hear about HSPs is, How is that different from anxiety or introversion? It’s a valid question, especially since there’s a lot of overlap in how these traits show up.
Let’s start with anxiety. Anxiety is usually more focused on worry—constant thoughts about things that could go wrong, the need to plan for every possible scenario, or feeling an overwhelming sense of fear in certain situations. People with anxiety often struggle to quiet their minds, and while highly sensitive people can definitely feel anxious at times, sensitivity is more about how deeply you experience the world rather than how much you worry about it.
I’ll give you an example. I used to think I was anxious because every time I walked into a busy place, like a shopping mall or a crowded restaurant, I’d feel this wave of discomfort. I’d start to feel stressed and want to leave as soon as possible. But after learning about HSPs, I realized that my reaction wasn’t necessarily anxiety—it was sensory overload. The bright lights, loud conversations, and constant movement were just too much for my system to process all at once. Once I understood that, I found ways to cope, like taking breaks or wearing noise-canceling headphones. It’s not that the anxiety magically disappeared, but I learned that my sensitivity to my surroundings was what triggered those feelings. highly sensitive person
Now, what about introversion? Introverts are often misunderstood as shy or antisocial, but really, being introverted just means that you recharge by being alone rather than in social situations. A lot of HSPs are also introverted, but not all of them. Some highly sensitive people are extroverted, meaning they love being around others but still feel overwhelmed by too much sensory input. Think about it this way: an extroverted HSP might love going to a party, but after an hour or two, they need to retreat somewhere quiet to process all the energy they’ve absorbed.
I’ll be honest—there are days when I feel like both. I love spending time with close friends, but I also need that downtime afterward to just sit in silence and decompress. That’s where being highly sensitive really stands out from just being introverted or anxious—it’s less about social interactions or constant worry and more about how the world feels to you, how deeply you take it all in.
Living as a Highly Sensitive Person
So, what’s life really like for those of us who identify as HSPs? It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, if I’m being honest. There are moments when it feels like a gift—when you’re able to connect with others on a deeper level, notice the little details that others might miss, or feel moved by a beautiful piece of music or art. And then there are the tough times, when it feels like the world is just too much—too loud, too fast, too chaotic.
I remember one time in particular when I was working in an open-plan office. The constant chatter, the clicking of keyboards, the hum of printers—it was like sensory overload all day, every day. By the time I got home, I felt drained, even though the work itself wasn’t particularly stressful. It was just the environment. I started bringing noise-canceling headphones to work, and on lunch breaks, I’d sneak off to a quiet corner where I could take a few deep breaths and just be alone. Those little changes made a big difference, but it wasn’t until I understood that I was an HSP that I really started to take care of myself in those environments.
And speaking of environments, let’s talk about how HSPs react to emotional situations. Have you ever been in a conversation where someone shares something deeply personal, and while others listen and nod, you feel their pain as if it were your own? That’s a classic HSP trait. We tend to pick up on emotions, sometimes even before the person speaking has fully expressed them. It can be a blessing, like when a friend is going through something difficult, and you can offer comfort because you get it. But it can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re constantly absorbing the emotions of those around you.
For example, I had a close friend who was going through a rough breakup, and every time we talked, I felt her sadness so deeply that I’d leave the conversation feeling drained. I wanted to be there for her, but I also had to learn how to set boundaries for my own emotional health. It wasn’t easy, but I found ways to be supportive without taking on her pain as my own.
Embracing Sensitivity
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as an HSP is that there’s nothing wrong with being sensitive. For years, I thought my reactions were too extreme, that I should “toughen up” or “stop being so sensitive,” as people often told me. But now, I’ve come to see that sensitivity is a strength. It allows me to connect with others on a deeper level, to appreciate the beauty in the world around me, and to navigate life with a greater sense of empathy.
That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. There are days when I wish I could just switch off the sensitivity, like when I’m in a crowded place or dealing with a stressful situation. But instead of seeing it as a weakness, I’ve learned to embrace it and find ways to take care of myself in those moments. Whether it’s carving out alone time to recharge, surrounding myself with calming environments, or just accepting that it’s okay to feel things deeply, being highly sensitive has become a part of who I am.
If you’re reading this and thinking, Hey, this sounds a lot like me, I hope you know that you’re not alone. It’s easy to feel like the world is too much sometimes, but there’s strength in sensitivity. It’s not about changing who you are or trying to fit into a mold that doesn’t suit you. It’s about understanding yourself better, accepting your unique way of experiencing the world, and finding ways to navigate life that honor your sensitivity. highly sensitive person
So, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed in a crowded room, or feeling emotions more intensely than those around you, remember—it’s okay. You’re not too sensitive. You’re just in tune with the world in a way that others might not be. And that’s something to be proud of.
highly sensitive person
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