You can be a highly sensitive person without a formal diagnosis. Some diagnoses include aspects of high sensitivity, but can be highly sensitive without anything else being “wrong.” And when there is no diagnosis, then it can be overlooked.
If realize that there is a physiological way body interprets internal and external stimuli, then can address that in way that you can’t with a personality thing.
People who feel sense of urgency in certain situations - crowds, hunger. And often can’t articulate what it is that’s prompting that feeling. Just go through days and feel this unrest.
Even when you identify feelings (e.g. fear), because don’t know what’s causing that feeling, feel funny verbalizing it (if intelligent).
Big issue in relationships (family, employers, employees) to be overwhelmed internally without the ability to share those feelings. Can prevent from showing true self. People feel like they need to “walk on eggshells” around them. Can lead to resentment on both sides and also issues down the line for the highly sensitive person, like depression.
Another component of being highly sensitive - because feeling so much without being aware - can have strong (over)reactions to perceived injustice or criticism. Intensity is way of expressing feeling out of control.
Black-and white thinking is sometimes coming from a physiological loop response. Need to be that way in order to feel the control that they are not getting from their own physiology.
The intensity is not necessarily a reflection of who and what they are and think.
If reach an impasse, may need to table a conversation
In survey they did, biggest issue for HSP in workplace is “Feeling misunderstood” - and that creates self-esteem issues and self-image issues.
How can you support someone like that (when they are being very black and white, my way or the highway) when they do not have that awareness on their own?
Try to disconnect for a bit; they will need time to interrupt that physiological loop and access the intellect.
Also validate - reflect and pause. Don’t need to agree, but validate.
HSP are very sensitive to others’ emotions and signals also. Can pick up on intentions, honesty. So if you switch what you’re doing, go away from the regular script, you change a variable for them and that can help them shift.
Positive side - when HSP is more regulated, extra open to creativity, connection to others, new experiences.
