Do you find noisy environment chaotic and grow uncomfortable in such places? Are you indecisive and need more time making decisions than others? Have you ever been told that you take things too personally?
If any of this sounds familiar, you might be a highly sensitive person. This personality trait is quite common, affecting one in five people. But, despite the fact that 15-20% of the population is highly sensitive, these people are considered a minority.
Being a highly sensitive person means you have a number of amazingly positive qualities and habits. While you might not feel that these traits are awesome, they really are.
1. They are deeply intuitive
One of the most exceptional characteristics of highly sensitive individuals is their ability to feel a lot more depth compared to non-sensitive people. They also tend to dig into subjects or engage in conversations more than others. According to , Ted Zeff Ph.D., author of ‘The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide’, “They’re very intuitive, and go very deep inside to try to figure things out.”
2. Their emotional reactions are amplified
Sensitive people tend to conduct themselves much more compassionately and act with much more concern for the emotions of others.
3. They are familiar with being called overly sensitive and asked why they take things so personally
Dr. Ted Zeff found that men from India and Thailand were less likely to be teased for being sensitive, unlike those from North America who were often mocked. In some cultures the same person who is being laughed at for being too sensitive is considered as asset.
4. They have a really hard time making decisions
A highly sensitive person is always more conscious even in situations where there is no wrong or right answer. They are quite indecisive, weighing out the pros and cons and considering even the tiniest details.
5. About 30% of highly sensitive people are not introverts
As explained by Dr. Aron, highly sensitive people who are not introverts were probably grown in small town or a close-knit social environment where social interaction is inevitable.
6. They are excellent team players
Highly sensitive individuals are excellent team members and work partners due to their ability to process thoughts more deeply than others. But, they shouldn’t be left to make the final decision! For instance, they would do well at diagnosing the patient, but someone else will need to make the final decision.
7. They are more likely to be depressed or anxious
“If you’ve had a fair number of bad experiences, especially early in life, so you don’t feel safe in the world or you don’t feel secure at home or … at school, your nervous system is set to ‘anxious,” explains Aron.
But, not all sensitive individuals will develop anxiety. As a matter of fact, having supportive people around can help prevent this condition.
8. Annoying sounds are extremely irritating to the highly sensitive
As everything is intensified to highly sensitive people, certain sounds or fluorescent light that normally don’t bother most people are enough to bring highly sensitive people to the extent of going insane.
9. They are well-mannered
As Dr. Aron notes, highly sensitive people are extremely conscientious, so they are more likely to act kindly towards other people and show good manners.
10. They feel the effects of criticism much more than most
What non-sensitive people consider trivial tends to affect the highly sensitive people more severely. Hence, it causes them to engage in avoidance tactics or revert to self-criticism and avoid it.
11. They prefer to either be self-employed or work in a quiet cubicle
Generally speaking, highly sensitive people prefer to be self-employed and work from home as they have more control over what goes on a daily basis. Those who don’t have this luxury would prefer working in a quiet cubicle.
Sources:
http://iheartintelligence.com/2017/06/14/highly-sensitive-person/
