Several studies estimate that highly sensitive people represent between 15 and 20% of the population. Yet, they often come up against the misunderstanding of others, who consider their reactions to common life situations "exaggerated". Obviously, the problem is that these people judge using their own criteria, not realizing that we are all different and often these exaggerated reactions are automatic and caused by a major malaise.
In reality, most highly sensitive people would not want to react that way and try to adapt to the world around them, but they don't always succeed. Their hypersensitivity does not simply depend on character or personality, but also on a different nervous system and different brain functioning. Therefore, attempts to please others and hide one's "self" can end up destroying them.
The truth is that the virtues of highly sensitive people are many, so it makes no sense to focus exclusively on their "exaggerated" reactions, because it would be like concentrating on sunspots without considering the heat that the sun gives us. So, the key is to understand them, put yourself in their place, and enjoy their company.
How do highly sensitive people react?
1. They feel overwhelmed when they have a lot of tasks to do
Highly sensitive people are able to focus carefully on a task, but very often they feel overwhelmed when they have a lot of tasks to do. At that moment their anxiety and stress levels increase dramatically, productivity is significantly reduced, and they become irritable.
2. They try to avoid chaotic environments at all costs
Highly sensitive people react badly to chaos. They find it difficult to manage a large number of stimuli at the same time; sounds, interruptions, smells and activities. It is as if their senses are saturated with too much information they have to process. For this reason they prefer to avoid these situations at all costs.
3. They freeze when under pressure
Highly sensitive people can be very creative and often excel at work, precisely because they have a special sensitivity. However, to give their best, they often need quiet and solitude. In fact, they often react badly to pressure, when they feel observed they can become agitated or completely freeze.
4. They react intensely to the behavior of others
Highly sensitive people have the amazing ability to recognize micro-expressions, which means they sense when someone is in pain and needs help, but also when they are rejected. Therefore, they can react intensely to negative signals that others do not understand, simply because they have not been able to catch them.
5. They feel very uncomfortable with loud noises
Highly sensitive people have a lower noise tolerance threshold than the rest of the population, which is why they react intensely to loud noises, such as fireworks. They also often suffer from misophonia; that is, they become irritated by hearing normal sounds of daily life, such as those made when chewing. These reactions are difficult to control, because they have a visceral component, but they end up irritating others.
6. They need to spend time alone
Highly sensitive people enjoy solitude, they need it almost as much as the air they breathe. After a complicated and chaotic day, all they need is to rest easy. Thus, they often tend to decline invitations from friends, not because they don't like spending time with friends, but because they need solitude to recharge.
7. They take longer than usual to make decisions
For highly sensitive people, making a decision is always difficult, even the smallest one, like choosing the flavors of an ice cream. The problem is that their mind is constantly evaluating the pros and cons of all alternatives and they are terrified of making a bad decision. Of course, this can be frustrating for some of them.
8. They are obsessed with details
Highly sensitive people have a special passion for art, their keen eye catches many details that often go unnoticed by the majority. But sometimes this level of attention to detail complicates their lives because they want things to always be perfect. If they discover a mistake they feel a strong physical discomfort that they struggle to manage.
9. They assume everything as if it were something personal
For a highly sensitive person, most situations in life are something "personal". Being very empathetic, they experience firsthand the pain and anguish of others. Therefore they react so intensely to social injustices and are unable to take adequate emotional distance. The Council "don't take it personal" just doesn't work with them. For this same reason they tend to react badly to criticism as well.
10. They are in deep harmony with their body
These people are not only sensitive to the external environment, but are also perfectly in tune with their body. So when their delicate internal balance is broken, they feel very bad and irritable. But it is difficult for everyone around them to understand why a simple headache or sudden hunger causes these abrupt changes in their behavior.
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