A Whole Lot of Emotions: How Highly Sensitive People Interact with the World

If you've ever been told you're too emotional, weak, fragile, or intense, you might feel like an outcast and misunderstood.

However, that doesn't mean anything is wrong with you. You might actually be part of the 20 percent of people who are considered to be highly sensitive.

A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone that has an innate trait of high sensory processing sensitivity.

In fact, brain scans show differences in perception, stronger positive and negative emotions, and more empathy and general awareness than those without the trait.

How do highly sensitive people interact with the world differently?

• They are easily over-stimulated by their surroundings
• They pick up on subtleties in a room
• They're more emotional in their relationships
• Sometimes they prefer to fly solo
• They are anxious around conflict

Elaine Aron, PhD, shares the traits of a hyper sensitive person and the ways they interact with the world differently.