Feeling sensitive? Make it your SUPERPOWER

Being emotionally delicate can be challenging, but it can also be your greatest asset

Are you easily hurt or overwhelmed? Feel things deeply? You may be La Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), and knowing this could help you face life's challenges.

'Often referred to as "sensory processing sensitivity", American psychologist Elaine Aron recognised that a collection of traits aren't good or bad just different,' explains counsellor Carley Symes*.

Being a HSP is a personality trait not a mental health diagnosis, and science backs it up. 'HSPs produce more brain activity related to emotions when watching facial expressions of other people,' says Jamie Ward, professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Sussex. Yet acute sensitivity is often seen as a weakness - even though it has evolutionary advantages.

'Research suggests that having HSPs in your population gives you a better chance of survival - it's developed to monitor threats, such as subtle social rifts,' explains Carley. HSPs were the ones on high alert, ready to spot danger - it was then up to our less sensitive companions to leap to action, she suggests.

We don't need someone to spot sabre-toothed tigers any more, but HSPs are still vital. 'HSPs are conscientious, deep-thinking, valuable individuals,' says Carley. Their understanding of emotions helps others. There's evidence that HSPs catch the mood of people around them, which could certainly be a good thing-for example, to respond appropriately to someone else's feelings,' adds Jamie.