7 Concrete Signs You’re A Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone who is neurodivergent with increased sensitivity within their central nervous system. An HSP is believed to have more intense experiences with physical, emotional, and social stimuli.

Here are seven concrete signs you’re a highly sensitive person.

1. You’re an incredibly loyal friend and/or family member.

If you’re a highly sensitive person, you crave closeness and connection with other people. You understand that in order to bridge this level of intimacy, you are going to need to be vulnerable with the people in your life. You know what it means to show up and stick around for those you love most. You’re incredibly supportive and a steadfast presence.

2. You get easily overwhelmed by loud crowds.

Highly sensitive people often become overstimulated in loud crowds. According to Verywell Mind, you may also struggle with other intense stimuli such as bright lights or uncomfortable clothing.

3. You need lots of alone time.

As an HSP, you will need plenty of downtime. Since you experience the world in such a profound and deep way, removing yourself from all the noise and spending time in solitude helps you relax, recharge, and get ready to venture out into the world again.

4. You avoid violent or scary shows and movies.

You don’t get the true crime hype and scary movie craze. You find media with violent imagery and storylines to be too much to handle. These types of shows and movies always leave you feeling upset for many, many hours afterward so you know it’s in your best interest to just avoid them.

5. You experience intense emotional highs and deep emotional lows.

You don’t feel in shades of gray. You are either feeling everything or nothing at all. You are either jovial or you are depressed. There is no in between when it comes to emotions with you.

6. You’ve been described as “too sensitive” more times than you can possibly count.

You find this incredibly frustrating, too. Because, for you, feeling everything deeply is the only way you know how to feel. You get that you’re wired differently. You just wish others understood and accepted this about you more.

7. You’re a deep thinker.

Finally, if you’re a highly sensitive person, you have a deep, winding mind. You often get lost in your complex inner world. You’re always thinking about something. In fact, your brain never seems to shut off. This can be exhausting but you also can’t imagine experiencing the world in any other way. In fact, you’d rather feel too much than nothing at all. Deep down, you know that your sensitivity is your superpower and you’re grateful for it.