

Pluess says that sensitive people need a supportive environment to thrive, and get more benefit out of an emotionally healthy upbringing than other people do. However, in twin studies, identical twins with exactly the same genes can end up with different levels of sensitivity as adults - largely because of their life experiences. Your genes determine your basic sensitivity level, which means that if you are a highly sensitive person, you were likely born that way. How sensitive you are is partly due to your genes, and partly depends on the way you are raised. This means that some people are “low sensitive,” some people are “high sensitive,” and the majority of people fall somewhere in the middle.

According to Michael Pluess, a researcher who specializes in sensitivity at Queen Mary University of London, sensitivity is a continuum. Sensitivity is a personality trait that everyone has, but some people are more sensitive than others.

In fact, according to Linda Silverman, the director of the Gifted Development Center, high sensitivity is linked to giftedness. For example, highly sensitive people tend to excel at creativity, empathy, and the ability to notice things that others miss or make connections that others do not see. Like any personality trait, it comes with challenges, but also many strengths. HSPs are often negatively described as “too sensitive.” But being an HSP isn’t a bad thing. Researchers refer to this trait as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS), environmental sensitivity, and differential susceptibility. High sensitivity is considered a normal, healthy personality trait, although one that - like all personality traits - comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. This makes them more physically sensitive and emotionally sensitive than other people. What is a Highly Sensitive Person?Ī highly sensitive person is someone whose brain processes all information very deeply, including emotions, thoughts, and sensory input. This means they tend to be creative, and insightful but it also means they’re more prone than others to stress and overwhelm.

Due to a biological difference that they’re born with, highly sensitive people are more aware of subtleties and process information deeply.
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Here’s how to know if you are one.Ī highly sensitive person (HSP) experiences the world differently than others. Highly sensitive people make up about 30 percent of the population.
