12 Signs You’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

Here we discover what the signs of a highly sensitive person are? How do you know if you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP) or an empath (someone who FEELS more than other people)? How can we assess these concepts objectively and critically, rather than falling for woo-woo? This covers all!

We’re going to learn about 12 signs you’re a highly sensitive person. Now, let’s begin.

1. Lifelong jump scares

Do the smallest things freak you out? does every loud sound or jump scare send you running for the hills? Well, if so, there’s a good chance you’re a highly sensitive person.

Sensitive people are the easiest people in the world to startling since they worry about almost everything. Their brains are on high alert 24/7, which means that every time someone yells or laughs too loud, highly sensitive people are ready to jump right out of their skin.

2. Recharging in silence

Most people hate getting stuck with piles and piles of busywork, but sensitive people don’t mind it as much as most. Why? Well, because busy work means they get time to themselves. Highly sensitive people know the power of solitude better than anyone.

They embrace any opportunity to get away from daily life and just enjoy the quiet. that’s why sensitive people often flourish in careers where they can work independently. Now, for a sensitive person, solitude is a rare opportunity not only to focus but also to relax.

when they’re feeling overwhelmed by work or life in general, the peace can be the perfect place to recover and recharge.

3. The perfect email

How much time do you spend sending an email? for some people, emails take only a few seconds. You write a response; you sign your name and boom you’re done. For highly sensitive people, emails are a long and stressful process because they want to make sure that every little detail is perfect. If you’re a sensitive person, then you might rewrite the same sentence a dozen times or change your sign-off from best to sincerely, too, from and then back to best again.

But why are sensitive people so worried about sending emails? well, the real problem has nothing to do with their emails. Highly sensitive people just worry way too much about making mistakes. They have something called mistake anxiety, and that drives them to obsess over every little thing they do. that’s why whether it’s a big project or just one tiny email, sensitive people always aim for the same thing perfection.

4. Beating yourself up

For a highly sensitive person, the smallest mistakes can ruin the biggest successes. Okay, let’s say you’re pitching an idea to a group of investors. If you give your pitch and four out of five investors loved it, you’d call that a resounding success.  Well, most of us would, but for a highly sensitive person, that one failure means everything. Instead of celebrating, they’ll sit there and wonder what went wrong. They’ll beat themselves up over the most insignificant things because, in the mind of a highly sensitive person, every mistake counts ten times more.

5. Searching for drama

Since sensitive people worry so much, their lives seem overwhelmingly negative. They can’t stop thinking about all the drama that’s going on around them. So, naturally, that’s all they want to talk about. If you know someone highly sensitive, you’ve probably had this kind of conversation before.

let’s say you see your friend across the room, so naturally, you walk over, and you say hello. You ask them how their weeks been going, and you probably expect a short answer like pretty good or busy. but instead, you get a fifteen-minute rant about every single thing that’s going wrong in their life.

It seems a little self-absorbed at the moment, but your friend isn’t obsessed with themselves. they’re just more sensitive than the average person.

6. Physical emotions

Do you experience emotions mentally and physically? if you’re a highly sensitive person, your emotions might overflow from your brain and leak into other parts of your body. let’s say you get yelled at by your boss. You feel some kind of strong negative emotion afterward.

Maybe you’re frustrated or angry or sad, but instead of yelling or crying, your body does something different. You get a massive headache that just won’t go away or sudden shooting pain in your stomach. Now, of course, the problem isn’t your head or your digestive system; it’s your mind. Your brain is sensing such strong emotions that your body is paying the price.

Also read: Happiness: 12 Rules to Live a Happy Life

7. Unnecessary tension

Do you feel stressed all the time? maybe you feel tense at work, tense at home, and even tense when you’re spending time with your family. But why are you so stressed out all the time? chances are you’re a highly sensitive person.

Your emotional brain is constantly worrying about what everyone else is doing. Your brain just can’t relax, which makes everything in your life feel stressful. Many sensitive people feel on edge everywhere they go – as if something is about to go wrong no matter what they’re doing.

The good news is, more often than not, your stress is unwarranted and unnecessary. So, instead of reading into it, transform that negative stress into something helpful. Ultimately, stress means you’re looking out for yourself, that you’re paying attention more than the average person. So, if you’re highly sensitive, remember that you’re just protecting yourself.

Hopefully, that realization will help you relax a little more.

Also read: 10 Common Habits Of All Highly Successful People

8. All the options

Imagine you’re sitting in a meeting about to give an important presentation. What thoughts are swirling through your head? Most people would be reviewing their notes or thinking about how much they want to get this presentation over with. But your mind is going a mile a minute while you’re waiting to get up in front of the group.

You’re thinking about every possible outcome; you’re running through each scenario considering every potential disaster and planning for the worst. This kind of mental clutter can drive you crazy. You’ll spend way too much time thinking about things that will never actually happen.

For example, you might worry about the projectors suddenly catching on fire in the middle of your presentation. But really, what are the chances of that happening? Slim to none. So, don’t waste your time worrying about it.

There is one great thing about considering all the options. Though highly sensitive people take the time to find other people’s perspectives. Believe it or not, that’s a rare talent that most people don’t have. By considering every possible option, you’re able to see your work from new angles, anticipate a different problem, and understand how other people feel.

9. A lonely lunch

At work or school, where do you eat lunch? do you find the most crowded table and join the conversation, or do you search for a beautiful quiet place to enjoy your food alone?. It turns out your lunchtime habits say a lot about your sensitivity.

Less sensitive people tend to seek out socially active environments. They want to get in on the action, but highly sensitive people wish to that time to be alone, to think and recharge that way by the time lunch is over they’ll feel ready for the rest of the afternoon.

10. Everything feels personal

Imagine you’re at a networking event for your new job. All of a sudden, you see a group of people whispering in a tight circle. One of them glances at you for just a moment and then looks away. would that make you paranoid ? would that little glance convince you that those people are talking about you behind your back? If the answer is yes, then you’re probably a sensitive person.

It’s widespread for sensitive people to assume everyone is judging them no matter where you are. It feels like you’re always under fire, even if you’re not constructive.

Criticism is a good example. Let’s say your boss gives you feedback after a presentation. Some may be good, and some may be bad, but if you’re highly sensitive, that little bit of criticism will feel like they’re attacking your character. You may start thinking that you’re not good enough, or you’re not smart enough. All because your boss wanted to give you a few pointers.

11. Social awkwardness

Are you comfortable in big groups? Highly sensitive people are notoriously awkward in crowded environments. Whether you’re at a concert, a party, or convention, big crowds make vulnerable people feel overwhelmed and lost. If you’re sensitive, all those jumbled voices might stress you out, or maybe it feels like everyone is constantly invading your personal space. Either way, too much stimulation can ruin any situation. Sensitive people need room to breathe and process. If they don’t have that space, they feel grained much faster than the average person.

Even in smaller groups, highly sensitive people tend to struggle .because there’s too much for them to pay attention to. They’re trying to read everyone in the room, pay attention to their body language and listen to everyone’s vocal inflections. If people surround them, they just get overwhelmed. So, if you’re the kind of person who’s never liked crowds or group settings, then you might be a highly sensitive person.

12. Comfort anxiety

some people love giving advice .they like breaking down people’s problems and figuring how to tackle those issues moving forward .they want other people to depend on them, but if you’re highly sensitive, this might sound like the worst thing in the world.

Highly sensitive people are uncomfortable under that kind of pressure. They don’t like it when other people come to them for comfort or guidance. Because it makes them anxious, it just adds another helping of stress to their already stressed-out brain. So, if you find yourself sweating or getting nervous when someone needs your help, I’ve got some news for you, you’re more than likely a highly sensitive person.

Also read: 10 Things Poor People Do That Rich People Don’t

Sources:

24 Signs of a Highly Sensitive Person

Sensory-Processing Sensitivity and Its Relation to Introversion and Emotionality

Making sense of it all: The impact of sensory processing sensitivity on the daily functioning of children

Extraversion, neuroticism, and susceptibility to positive and negative mood induction procedures

10 Tips for Highly Sensitive People