Psychologist shares five signs you may be a Highly Sensitive Person

A British psychologist has revealed five signs you may be a Highly Sensitive Person – from being deeply affected by other people’s moods, to needing to withdraw from busy environments that can be overstimulating.

Dr Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Hampshire, has more than 4 million followers on TikTok, where she shares videos on mental health related topics.  

In a recent video, she shared some signs you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), as well as outlining what the phrase really means.

According to the extensive caption accompanying her video, the ‘recognition that some people experience more sensitivity than others is based on decades of research by psychotherapist Elaine Aaron’.

However, Dr Smith noted, ‘it is crucial to point out that this is not a clinical diagnosis. It is not a disorder that needs changing’, and that HSPs are not flawed. 

Dr Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Hampshire, has revealed five signs you may be a Highly Sensitive Person – from being deeply affected by other people’s moods, to needing to withdraw from busy environments that can be overstimulating

Dr Julie Smith (pictured) also makes videos on mental health topics for her 4 million TikTok followers

In the video, listing signs, she explained: ‘Number one [is that] other people’s moods and pain affects you deeply too.’

She continued:  ‘[Number two], when you’re in a busy environment, you often feel the need to withdraw and be unknown to get relief from the stimulation of those surroundings.

‘Thirdly, when people try to get you to do too many things at once you quickly become overwhelmed by all the demands.

‘Fourth, you hate change, and avoid having a lot going on because of all the strong emotions that come with it. 

Many people seemed to see their own behaviour described in the signs outlined by the psychologist, with some taking to the comments section to express their feelings

‘Fifth, when you have to compete or perform in front of other people, you become so nervous that you do much worse than you would otherwise.’

Writing in the video’s caption, Dr Smith pointed out that sensitivity can have a positive impact on your life as well as negative. 

Giving some examples, she said that HSPs are ‘likely to be highly conscientious and able to concentrate deeply’, explaining that they may excel in tasks that require ‘accuracy and speed and detection of error’. 

Dr Smith also said that HSP are likely to be able to process material at a much deeper level. 

The video seemed to strike a chord with many people, who took to the comments section to share their own experiences of being highly sensitive.

One wrote: ‘This has actually made me emotional because it’s me in a video that I’ve never accepted and it’s so hard to not be these things.’

Another added: ‘This is my life. Also, internalising people’s experiences. Anxiety level: super hard.’

And a third said: ‘You are talking about me?

‘How do I deal with it. it can be exhausting especially dealing with other people emotions. it affects me greatly.’