14 characteristics of highly sensitive people

Are you a very sensitive person (PHS)? See if in these 14 attributes you see yourself!

Sensitivity is a character trait that is not present to the same extent in all people. Some are, in fact, impulsively more emotional and empathetic than others. This does not mean that those who are more detached are insensitive; it only means that some individuals have a more marked and obvious sensitivity.

The psychologist and American psychotherapist Elaine Aron began his research on high sensitivity in 1991, calling Sensory-processing Sensibility (SPS, the scientific term for this feature). Elaine Aron says that high sensitivity is found in percentages ranging from 15 to 20% of the population.

14 characteristics of highly sensitive people

If you think you are a highly sensitive person (PHS), we recommend taking our test by clicking here. But beware: the test does not replace the assessment of a psychologist. In case of doubt, we, therefore, invite you to consult a professional.

It is also important to distinguish between high sensitivity and hypersensitivity, which have different characteristics and origins: to find out more, we invite you to read our article which deals with this topic.

Now let’s move on to the 14 characteristics of Highly Sensitive People:

1) They are emotionally reactive people

Since they have a strong sense of empathy, they can also sense the concerns of others more. Sometimes they exaggeratedly respond to a stimulus, for example, to a negative event, sometimes even to a greater extent than those who experience it directly and in the first person.

2) They are people who know how to listen to others

They can go beyond words and pay attention to the other person’s non-verbal language. A language that we know is capable of expressing a lot more than you want.

3) They understand others better

They understand others more quickly because they can pick up signals that others rarely perceive. So they are very intuitive people who tend to dig deep when faced with a problem.

4) They don’t like to make decisions

Before they can choose, they must analyze the intricacies and details. In this sense, they need time to make a decision. In others’ eyes, they take longer than they should because they calculate all the possible consequences.

5) they prefer individual sports

Highly sensitive people are not relaxed in a situation like a group competition: they avoid team sports precisely because they don’t like others to depend on their movements.

6) great attention to detail

They very easily notice details and peculiarities: a new haircut, little things in a room, a friend’s new shoes, a word spoken involuntarily or almost …

7) They have a low tolerance for errors

When they make a choice that is not right for them, they experience discomfort and frustration. You wonder why? Here’s the reason: Their emotions, whether positive or negative, are extraordinarily magnified. They are, therefore, even more so when faced with an error.

8) They work well in a team of people

Although they prefer solo sports, very sensitive people lend themselves to teamwork precisely because they are very empathetic and attentive to others’ needs. While it should be said, they would rather not have to make the final decision.

9) They aren’t necessarily introverted or reserved as you might think

Great sensitivity is not necessarily linked to introversion: on the contrary, due to their great empathy and their great interest, they interact very easily with others.

10) They are very imaginative and creative people

They are characterized by great imagination and an energetic intuition, even if they can not always prove it because they do not like to show themselves. After all, initiative, in general, is not their strong point.

11) They are more likely to be nervous and depressed

This happens when they have had negative experiences in the past or experienced trauma dating back to their early stages and then, for example, childhood. The reason is simple and easily deductible from everything we have discussed so far: they cannot give the right weight to events precisely because they experience them in a very intense and profound way.

12) they are caring people

Very sensitive people are also very conscientious, caring, and of good manners. However, they are also more meticulous and precise than how they behave, so they tend to notice when someone isn’t presenting themselves in the right way.

13) Low tolerance for criticism

The consequences of criticism are amply magnified in very sensitive people, consequences that will end up threatening their already low self-esteem. They are aware of this, so they sometimes anticipate the other by criticizing themselves before they do so.

14) They cry more easily than others

This is one reason they don’t like being in situations that could embarrass them or make them feel uncomfortable: they can break down and cry at any time, and they have tended to prefer not to show their weaknesses.

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