highly sensitive people are also highly sensitive to strong light and sound and even certain fabrics. There is a group on Eons for sensitive people, I believe....I do not look at being sensitive as being a fault and even if you are highly sensitive there is probably a reason behind it...including genetics. All people are as different as night and day...If I known that someone is highly sensitive, I keep that in mind and try to treat them accordingly with care and kindness...if at all possible...

Pamela, first I want to thank your for you kind words on another post. view link
You are a Great Lady! :-)

I'm very sensitive myself. I know I shouldn't stick my neck out and say so, but I am. I'm trying to change but so many people tell me not to change. Trouble with sensitive people is we suffer in silence often. We choose not to numb our senses with drugs, alcohol, gambling or any of the other vices. I wish I wasn't sensitive but I am. Its me. :-)

I am highly sensitive too, and pretty much keep it to myself. Though I will disagree with you , Greg; I did my best to numb my senses with drugs and alcohol years ago and I have known other sensitive people who did the same because it made it easier to bear (as long as it worked). Now, I will be honest about it when it causes problems. Seems like other people just don't get it very well, seem to think it's just an excuse.

Yes, you are right Katz7, I do sometimes numb my senses but I know its not good to do that. I try to keep it to a minimum, but you are right sometimes the pain is hard to bear. Point well taken. Thank you. :-)

I am highly sensitive to some things - noise being the worst offender. Also sensitive to others' emotions - I get a physcial reaction to negative vibes. I get overstimulated in crowds by the noise, color, and sense of people all around me.

One of my godsons is so sensitive that he can't drink whole milk because the consistency does him in...tags, seams on socks, certain fabrics he can't handle...he's been diagnosed with ADHD because he just can't shut out the distractions around him, another type of sensitivity.

I avoid situations in which I might become overstimulated to the point of staying home most of the time. When I have to be in a crowd because my daughter is performing or there's a wedding or funeral I must attend - I make sure nothing else is scheduled for that day because it takes the rest of the day for me to recover.

I'd prefer relationship with people who are emotionally sensitive to those who are insensitive, in general. Overly sensitive, I can not do. I do know a few who take offense so easily that they have blown up at me if I said something wrong, and it took a lot of walking on eggshells to try and get back on friendly terms with them afterward. The relationship pretty much deteriorates after that, because it seems that whatever they want to express is okay, but if someone disagrees with them ... watch out!

I agree Barb. Those whose emotional stability is, well, questionable and 'read' things into innocent stuff others say are not healthy people. My ex sister in law is an example. She jumps to premature conclusions and thinks everyone is 'out to get her'. There were times I thought 'what on earth did I say?' to warrant such bile. I finally concluded she was just a crazy bitch and had as little as possible to do with her.

highly sensitive is a teen age girl. Most folks can relate some experiences of the "day."

I've been highly sensitive at various times in my life that coincided with high stress levels. In neurology there is something called "facilitation" which helps us to understand why it doesn't normally hurt when you gently tap someone on the shoulder, but it does if they have a sunburn. The nerves are already so close to firing off that it takes only a slight stimulus to evoke a response. General stress levels can cause that type of sensitivity about emotional or other issues.
A good way for me to deal with such highly sensitive people is to allow them the space and freedom to be themselves and choose whatever is right for themselves without my trying to force the issue about anything. Another great way is to use the "ho-oponopono" method .... to think about them specifically and repeat: "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you." ....... and accept whatever role I have played in their pain (in the universal sense).

Emotionally, I'm a very sensitive person.....But there are both positives and negatives to being sensitive. On the negative side, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I can be hurt very easily. And when someone hurts me, I tend to lash out at them. I'm a scrapper too. And when my heart is broken, the emotional pain is nearly unbearable. But being sensitive allows me to have the ability to love someone to the heights of ecstasy....to feel everything deep within my soul....to have have compassion, empathy and sympathy for others.

When I was young, being sensitive was a detriment. I grew up in an era when men weren't supposed to show their feelings....men don't cry. Although, I was still sensitive within, I tried to hide my sensitivity. About 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. This scared the crap out of me. This caused me to do a self examination of myself. I decided that I'm a sensitive person within, and I'm going to be this person externally as well. I no longer attempt to hide my feelings....I'm going to be the person I am inside of myself....let the chips fall where they may....because like the song....I gotta be me.

Greg....don't change....just be yourself....you're a good guy. I don't think we can really change what we are inside....it's the real us.