Highly Sensitive Person

Many people experience moments of sensory sensitivity in everyday life, but for some, environmental stimuli can have a much larger and more difficult effect on daily functioning. Highly sensitive people have an increased sensitivity to their surroundings that goes beyond a simple “noticing” to a deeper depth of processing, frequent overstimulation, emotional intensity and sensory perception. You may be a highly sensitive person if you consistently experience a combination of the following:

  • You are easily overwhelmed by lights, sounds, smells, pain or discomfort, and fabrics

  • You often experience movies and tv as emotionally distressing and avoid those with violence or high intensity

  • You constantly notice subtle changes in environment and moods but/and need ample time to process those changes

  • You often need to withdraw after social situations to a cool, quiet and dark place (even if you consider yourself extroverted or often love spending time with people)

  • You have a rich and complex inner life of intense emotionality that often causes people to tell you to “chill out,” “calm down,” or “stop being so sensitive”

  • You have vivid experiences of daydreaming and imagination, and are deeply moved by art or music to the point of emotional overwhelm that can sometimes last for days

You may not be the highly sensitive person reading this but are the parent of a child who seems to be wrestling with a combination of these characteristics and you want to know how to best support them and integrate their sensitivity into your lives. I specialize in working with highly sensitive people especially in the context of the unique stresses and pressures of modern life. Contact me to get support on your journey today.

*High sensitivity that results from trauma or other biopsychosocial factors is not the same as being a highly sensitive person or highly sensitive child but may present similarly; further assessment and referrals may be needed and encouraged. 3 referral resources are always provided at minimum to clients when advised.