22 things you recognize if you are also highly sensitive

In the meantime, I can say with certainty that I am highly sensitive. Well, I have known for a long time that I am oversensitive, but the fact that there is a term for it is quite new to me. I have often wondered how it is that I become so restless from bright lights and why it seems like I am the only one who finds the sound in the cinema too loud. Why can't I enjoy parties with many people like my peers do? Why do I need four days to recover from it while they don't? Is it exaggerated that I feel intensely sad all day because of reading a news article in the morning? Why do I feel hurt so quickly? Why do I want to hide with my hands over my eyes and ears? Am I being dramatic? These kinds of questions haunted my mind daily.

Normally, I am not such a proponent of labeling everything, but I have found it very helpful to know that one in five people is highly sensitive (hsp) and that this is not just being dramatic. People who are highly sensitive have an innate sensitivity to environmental stimuli, which means they experience events more and more intensely than others. Additionally, highly sensitive people process information more thoroughly and accurately, which means they need more time to ‘recover’ from it.

People who are hsp can become overstimulated more quickly due to their oversensitivity and therefore may experience stress, which can manifest in mental and physical complaints. Especially in today's society where the pressure is high, this danger lurks when you do not take enough time to recover from those stimuli.

Okay, this all sounds very negative now, and therefore I want to mention that there are also advantages. For instance, we sensitive beings have a strong intuition, can sense how to react in situations, have an eye for detail, and can enjoy things like music and art intensely.

Just to clarify: hsp is recognized as not a disorder. And it doesn't have to be a problem at all if you can handle it well. Being aware that you are highly sensitive is already a first step. Psychology Today therefore compiled this list of signs that indicate high sensitivity:

1. You often find it difficult to let go of negative thoughts and feelings.

2. These negative feelings are often translated into physical ailments, such as headaches or a feeling of stress in your body.

3. You often have bad days that affect your eating behavior and sleep pattern. As a result, you either eat too much or too little and sleep very irregularly.

4. You often feel anxious.

5. You are often angry at yourself because you do not meet your own high expectations.

6. You are afraid of rejection, even when it comes to the smallest things.

7. You often compare yourself to others and feel worse because of it.

8. You often feel anger and frustration about unpleasant and/or unfair events in the world.

9. You worry a lot about what other people think.

10. As a result, you take many things personally.

11.  You find it difficult to let go of unpleasant situations with people (no matter how small).

12.  You are easily hurt.

13.  You hide your negative feelings and thoughts from others because you think they are too heavy and embarrassing to share.

14.  You always take feedback as criticism, even if it is meant well and constructively.

15.   You often feel that people judge you, even if that is not the case at all.

16.  You feel uncomfortable in large groups.

17.  In romantic relationships, you are extremely self-conscious, constantly seeking approval from your partner, and unreasonably often afraid of being rejected.

18.  You are not comfortable in large public spaces, cannot stand many talking people, and too many things happening at the same time.

19.  You cannot handle bright light, loud noises, or certain strong smells.

20.  You are easily startled by sudden noises, traffic, or other unpleasant surprises.

21.  You quickly become upset by reading or seeing negative news in the media.

22.  You do not like violent movies and series.

Source: Psychology Today