10 things you should know about a highly sensitive person

Some people are just more sensitive than others, and that’s not always a bad thing. One in five people — women and men — can be classified HSP, or as a highly sensitive person, according to HSP researcher and psychologist Elaine Aron, Ph.D. That makes it highly likely you know and love someone with the personality trait.

Below are a few things to keep in mind about a highly sensitive person:

1. Not all of high sensitive people are introverts.

(read a few things on how to understand introverts better

Very first thing you should know is that introversion does not equal sensitivity, meaning not all introverts are HSP.

highly sensitive person2. Overly sensitive people need their emotions to be validated.

Phrases like “you take things too personally” can feel like a significant dig. For them there’s no such thing as feeling too much — and it hurts when their emotions are viewed as a weakness.

3. Don’t rush them.

A Highly sensitive person tends to have rich inner worlds with a mass of swirling thoughts. So when you ask a HSP something or are waiting for a decision from them, do your best to not rush them. Overly sensitive people have a lot going on in their minds and might need a bit longer to respond than most.

4. Criticism is incredibly distressing.

They tend to avoid anything that may cause feelings of shame. This may mean they engage in people-pleasing or self-deprecating behavior more than most of their peers.

5. A highly sensitive person has a low pain tolerance.

Pass the ice, please. It doesn’t matter if it’s a broken arm or just a stubbed toe, any injury really hurts. This is because highly sensitive people are more affected by pain than others, according to Aron’s research.

 highly sensitive person6. Sensitive people are going to cry.

When they are happy, when they are sad and when they are angry. That’s because highly sensitive people just naturally feel more deeply and react accordingly.

7. Fully support their need for quiet time, alone time, or less stimulating time.

Try to understand their need for less stimulating time. That helps them to function in our society better.

8. HSP love deeply.

When a highly sensitive person feels and trusts that they are safe with you, they will give you access to the richness and beauty that is their soul. Being in an intimate relationship with a highly sensitive partner is one of the rarest gifts if you know how to make them feel comfortable with you.

9. Sensitive people workplace habits are a bit atypical.

Working from home or in a quiet space is a dream for highly sensitive people — especially because it allows us to focus if we become too overwhelmed. However, don’t let their solo work ethic fool you. They also make excellent team players due to their analytical nature and thoughtfulness for others’ ideas.

10. A sensitive person doesn’t expect their partner to wear their heart on their sleeve.

Just because someone is highly sensitive doesn’t mean they can’t be in a relationship with someone who isn’t .What matters to them is how they feel when there are with their significant other. Like all romantic couples, they relationships take patience, understanding and work.  They just may have a few extra tears thrown into the mix — and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Are you a highly sensitive person? Or maybe your partner is?

If this article helped you improve your communication with HSP and understand them better, please share your experience with us in the comments bellow! Thank you!

 

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