You’re probably getting a sense of the particular challenges faced by HSPs at this point. They can get easily overwhelmed, overstimulated, and emotional, which can ripple out into virtually any aspect of their life.
Let’s make it clear, though, that being an HSP is not classified as a mental illness, and it will only hinder the sensitive person to think of it as such.
HSPs are, however, potentially more prone to being traumatized. According to Paul, “They’re more easily traumatized because the nervous system is getting activated more, when for [non-HSPs], things can roll off their back easier.”
Then, of course, there’s the aforementioned research about adverse physical and mental health outcomes—but take these with a grain of salt. Being an HSP isn’t a curse or an ill-health prophecy, and learning how to take care of yourself as an HSP is key.
As Paul says, “The main challenge is to accept this as a gift, because it is not an easy gift, especially if you’re a child who doesn’t have highly sensitive parents or they don’t understand it,” adding, “Once they accept it as a gift, and they do their own research, and they understand what it is, then it becomes much easier to take loving care of themselves.”