Are You Too Sensitive?

"The implication is that the person is overly and unnecessarily reactive to others, particularly during interpersonal interactions. Yes, any individual may be sensitive, but what exactly constitutes "too sensitive"? And is it helpful to make this comment about someone's reaction to a situation? In fact, if you tell someone who is reacting sensitively to a comment that they are over-reacting, you are likely invalidating their feelings and making them feel like their feelings are not acceptable."

"Consider the adult who remembers being called a crybaby by her parents. Interactions affected her deeply and while she continues to be an empathic and loving woman, she has worked hard in therapy on learning to pay attention to her reactions to her environment without becoming uncomfortably anxious. Consider the child who doesn't like to go to the brightly-lit and crowded mall because he becomes overwhelmed by all of the environmental stimuli, including the visuals and the crowd."

"Environmental sensitivity, or trait sensitivity, as described by Falkenstein et al. (2025) refers to sensitivity to physical, emotional, and interpersonal stimuli. This includes subtle changes in the environment, bright lights, and the moods of others. Past research has shown that most people fall into one of three groups: highly sensitive (31%), moderately sensitive (40%), and mildly sensitive (29%). Past studies have found a link between sensitivity and higher rates of mental health concerns."

Trait or environmental sensitivity involves heightened responsiveness to physical, emotional, and interpersonal stimuli, including subtle environmental changes, bright lights, and others' moods. Sensitivity exists on a spectrum, with groups identified as highly sensitive (31%), moderately sensitive (40%), and mildly sensitive (29%). Sensitivity can be normative and merit respect; invalidating sensitive reactions (for example, telling someone they are overreacting) can harm emotional wellbeing. Personal differences in sensitivity appear in adulthood and childhood — some become anxious in crowded, bright spaces, while others remain empathic after childhood criticism. Elevated sensitivity has been associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety.

Read at Psychology Today