Does HSP overthink?

Overthinking and worrying is common with highly sensitive people. You notice every detail and overthink what should be a simple decision, like where to go for lunch. You are prone to getting stuck in the rehashing of the “what-if” rut.


Why do sensitive people overthink?

Highly sensitive people (HSPs) often struggle with the feeling of not being able to “turn off” their minds. Since HSPs have rich inner lives, they spend a lot of time thinking about, well, everything, and deeply processing the information they come across.

Are highly sensitive people more anxious?

A recent study showed that people with a more sensitive "startle" reflex, that is, highly sensitive people, are more susceptible to anxiety disorders because we have different genes than others, making it harder for us to deal with emotional arousal.


What do highly sensitive people struggle with?

Living with High Sensitivity

HSPs may struggle to adapt to new circumstances, may demonstrate seemingly inappropriate emotional responses in social situations, and may easily become uncomfortable in response to light, sound, or certain physical sensations.

Are highly sensitive people indecisive?

Anyone can have difficulty with making decisions, but HSPs have a higher chance of struggling. HSPs not only react intensely to external stimuli, but to internal stimuli as well. They tend to bring their own emotions and perceptions into every situation, and making decisions can take more time and effort.


How to stop your overthinking brain for highly sensitive people (HSPs)



Are sensitive people Overthinkers?

Overthinking and worrying is common with highly sensitive people. You notice every detail and overthink what should be a simple decision, like where to go for lunch. You are prone to getting stuck in the rehashing of the “what-if” rut.

What hurts a highly sensitive person?

Highly sensitive people may be more affected by certain situations such as tension, violence, and conflict, which may lead them to avoid things that make them feel uncomfortable. You might be highly touched by beauty or emotionality. Highly sensitive people tend to feel deeply moved by the beauty they see around them.

Do HSPs need more sleep?

Sleep is crucial for HSPs, so make sure its highly quality and your night-time sleep is long. Most HSPs need at least 8 hours, and many sleep over the average -- 9 or 10 hours nightly. If you're not getting enough sleep you WILL burn out and edge towards depression, anxiety and become less capable of functioning.


Why life is so hard for HSP?

They have a hard time with conflict and tend to avoid confrontation. This can be challenging in the workplace or at home. They also feel responsible for others' expectations, which makes it harder to let people down. HSPS can overcome many of these downsides through therapy and learning to be more assertive.

Should HSP live alone?

Alone Time Helps HSPs Process Life

And nearly 30 percent of the population is highly sensitive, so it's not as uncommon as people think. When you're highly in tune with everything (and everyone) around you, it's natural to become overstimulated — and easily overwhelmed.

Are highly sensitive people traumatized?

Are Highly Sensitive People More Susceptible to Trauma? In a word, yes. As highly sensitive people, our nervous systems are more finely tuned than those of non-HSPs. This means we respond to all stimuli in a stronger way, including traumatic experiences.


Which personality type is most likely to be HSP?

Most HSPs are either INFJs or INFPs — the ones that don't tend to be ENFJs or ENFPs. Whether you're one or both, it's important to know what stresses you, what overstimulates you and what makes you feel calm, relaxed and happy.

What happens in the brain of a highly sensitive person?

Highly sensitive people activate brain areas to a greater extent to interpret in great depth and detail the information of the affective and emotional states of the people around them, especially those close to them.

What are the 8 signs of being highly sensitive?

8 Signs You've Grown as a Highly Sensitive Person
  • You know your triggers. ...
  • You have good boundaries. ...
  • You know how to self-soothe. ...
  • You practice consistent self-care. ...
  • You can cope with conflict. ...
  • You understand what matters to you. ...
  • You live a deep and meaningful life. ...
  • You're a home to yourself.


Do highly sensitive people overreact?

People who have the trait, known as highly sensitive people, may often be labeled as overreacting to situations. However, there is a biological basis for it. Compared to non-highly-sensitive individuals, people with SPS were found to have stronger activation in areas of the brain that deal with awareness and empathy.

Are highly sensitive people more self aware?

HSPs tend to have a rich inner life, being more self-aware, creative, and insightful than less sensitive people. This is likely to draw them into exploring a spiritual path in life, especially contemplative practices like meditation.

Do HSP cry more?

Not only are HSPs extra sensitive to environmental stimulation, they're also sensitive emotionally. According to Dr. Elaine Aaron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, sensitive people tend to cry more easily than others.


What do HSPs need to be happy?

To the rescue of emotions

HSPs, therefore, need a lot of empathy and understanding, as well as space to express their much stronger emotions. According to Elaine Aron, a psychotherapist dealing with highly sensitive issues, such people tend to cry more than others and are unable to express what they feel.

Why was I born a highly sensitive person?

Serotonin Transporter and Highly Sensitive People:

HSPs have a variant of this gene (officially called 5-HTTLPR). The 5-HTTLPR gene variant increases sensitivity to surroundings and is associated with learning from experience. The presence of the gene enhances the effects of both good and adverse childhood experiences.

Do HSPs have vivid dreams?

Highly sensitive, gifted, intense people, especially those with vivid imaginations (what psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski might call Imaginational Overexcitability[1]) may have dreams that are particularly vivid and intense, especially when they are “bad dreams”.


What jobs are best now for HSPs?

The 9 Best Careers for a Highly Sensitive Person
  1. Counselor/therapist. ...
  2. College Professor. ...
  3. Artist/Designer. ...
  4. Health Practitioner. ...
  5. Writer/Songwriter/Editor. ...
  6. Librarian/Museum Curator. ...
  7. Freelance anything. ...
  8. Animal trainer/groomer/sitter.


Are HSPs codependent?

Like an HSP–highly sensitive person–they're highly attuned to stimuli and other people's emotions and energy, often at a transpersonal or paranormal level. They may be codependent and end up in abusive relationships.

What should a highly sensitive person avoid?

Highly Sensitive Person Essential Reads
  • Reduce the number of intense stimuli in your environment.
  • Limit the number of tasks when multi-tasking.
  • Avoid burnout by noticing early warning signs, such as feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
  • Get your thoughts and deep emotions on paper so that they won't cloud your brain.


What kind of partner does a HSP need?

A verbal safe haven: HSPs thrive in relationships where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Since highly sensitive people feel things more deeply than most, their feelings often get hurt more quickly than others'. HSPs thrive in relationships where they feel seen, heard, and valued.

What not to say to an HSP?

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Highly Sensitive Person
  • Yes, we know we're sensitive. ...
  • “You're too sensitive.” ...
  • “Don't take things so personally. ...
  • “It's not that big a deal. ...
  • “SURPRISE!” (“Expect the unexpected” is not a phrase HSPs live by.) ...
  • “Let's go to this loud, crowded event!”