Is it OK to be Highly Sensitive?

Some people have an emotional reaction to small cues that others might not even notice. Some people may be more prone to emotional reactions that impact them physically, such as a rush of adrenaline, increased tension or a quickening heart rate. High sensitivity isn’t considered a type of mental illness, but it can be present in people with those conditions. People with borderline personality disorder often have more intense emotions, while people with an anxiety disorder or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be extra sensitive to emotions and external stimuli.  And no, being an HSP and an introvert aren’t the same thing, but they can co-occur.

Is it OK to be highly sensitive? 

Being hyper-affected by your emotions and the world around you can be challenging and overwhelming. But being highly sensitive isn’t all bad.  We often think of emotional sensitivity in terms of unpleasant emotions like anxiety or anger, but there’s also the opportunity to intensely feel more pleasant emotions. Highly sensitive people can also be deeply passionate and empathetic. Sensitivity — and any difficulties it may cause — is relative to your environment, culture and the society you live in. For instance, an emotional person in a stoic family may be teased for being sensitive and feel like an outsider, but in a family dynamic where people are encouraged to show their emotions, that wouldn’t be the case.