Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
You cry easily. Loud sounds overwhelm you. You feel other people’s moods like they’re your own.
If this sounds familiar, you might wonder if you're just “too sensitive.” Or maybe someone else has told you that — more than once.
But there’s more to the story.
Some people are highly sensitive — it’s a legitimate, research-backed trait. Others may show signs of high sensitivity because of trauma, anxiety, or chronic stress. And for many, it’s a mix of both.
Let’s talk about what it really means to be highly sensitive — and how to understand yourself with more compassion and clarity.
What Is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
The term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) comes from the work of psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron. It describes about 15-20% of the population who have a more finely tuned nervous system. HSPs tend to:
Process information deeply
Get overwhelmed by sensory input (noise, crowds, bright lights)
Be very emotionally reactive
Need more time to recover from stimulation
Be deeply empathic and intuitive
This isn’t a disorder. It’s a temperament trait — you’re wired that way from birth.
But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy.
When Sensitivity Is Wounded: Trauma & the Sensitive Nervous System
Here’s where it gets complicated.
If you’re a sensitive person and you’ve lived through trauma — especially emotional neglect, invalidation, or unpredictable caregiving — your sensitivity might feel less like a gift and more like a burden.
Why? Because trauma dysregulates the nervous system. It trains your body to stay alert for danger, even when you’re safe. So instead of just feeling deeply, you may:
Overthink everything (hello, anxiety)
Struggle to let your guard down, even in close relationships
Absorb everyone’s emotions and feel responsible for their well-being
Shut down or “numb out” when overwhelmed
Your sensitivity becomes entangled with hypervigilance, and that can be exhausting.
Is It Anxiety or Sensitivity?
This is a common question. Both HSPs and people with anxiety:
React strongly to stress
Avoid overstimulation
Worry about how others perceive them
Struggle with sleep or overstimulation
But anxiety often involves a pattern of persistent fear, rumination, and avoidance that interferes with daily life. HSPs may feel overwhelmed, but when they have tools and rest, they recalibrate.
And again, many people live with both — sensitivity and anxiety. Especially if that sensitivity was misunderstood or pathologized in early life.
Healing the Sensitive System
Whether you’re an HSP, someone with anxiety, or navigating trauma recovery — the path to healing starts with self-understanding. Sensitivity isn’t something to "fix." It’s something to support.
Some ways to care for a sensitive nervous system:
Learn your boundaries — and keep them
Limit overstimulating environments
Practice co-regulation and grounding
Seek relationships where you feel emotionally safe
Work with a therapist who understands sensitivity and trauma
Final Thoughts
Being a Highly Sensitive Person isn’t a flaw. And if your sensitivity feels overwhelming, it might not be “just who you are” — it might be shaped by the stress or pain you’ve carried.
Understanding this difference matters. It allows for healing. It opens space for you to reclaim sensitivity as a strength, not a struggle.
Need support on this journey?
I work with sensitive individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, burnout, and relational wounds. You don’t have to stay in survival mode. Together, we can create a space where your nervous system can come back into balance.
Reach out to book a session or free consultation.
