Have you ever been told that you’re just too sensitive?  Maybe you feel emotions much stronger and for longer than others.

Some people are highly sensitive (HSP). This is a normal character trait that 15-20% of people are born with and is characterised by 4 things:

1. Depth of processing – You think about things deeply, things like the meaning of life and your purpose.
2. Easily overstimulated and overwhelmed – You may be more easily stressed by noise, by lights, chaotic situations, deadlines, or too many people.  
3. Strength of emotions and empathy – You feel emotions deeper and for longer than most people. You have considerable empathy for others and often know intuitively what other people need.
4. Sensory sensitivity – You’ll notice subtle changes in the environment like the texture and colour of objects in someoneshome or a perfume. You might be very sensitive to noise.

The HSP trait has been validated by major research studies. If you think this sounds like you, take the short test on Dr Elaine Aron’s website. http://hsperson.com/test/ 

Knowing that you are an HSP can be a huge relief as many people feel that they just don’t fit in. The sense of overwhelm that many HSPs feel can lead to depression and anxiety.