Highly sensitive people (or HSP) are very emotional, compassionate, generous, empathetic people. They tend to be perceptive, intuitive, self-aware, thoughtful, and led by their heart. Sometimes, highly sensitive people start to show signs that they are HSP early on, even in childhood, although the signs can sometimes be challenging for parents to perceive. Some of these signs may pose obstacles to the individual, because with each positive trait also comes some struggles. If you feel that your child may be considered a HSP, or have been wondering about it for some time, here is a list of the different difficulties that highly sensitive people have.
Struggling with uncertainty
HSPs tend to be a bit indecisive, due to their tendency to overthink.
This is one that may pop up early on such as in childhood or teen years, and your kid might be trying to rationalize choices about things that you find to be insignificant.
This is because it isn’t insignificant to them, and they are trying to mentally figure out the different paths that each choice can lead.
They may need some patience, assistance, and modeling with choice making.
Overstimulation
HSPs tend to respond sensitively to external stimuli.
If your child is struggling with this, maybe they struggle with loud noises, certain texture foods, different clothes, and going to the bathroom.
This is commonly misread and misunderstood by parents because it may seem like the child is just being difficult.
A child who struggles with overstimulation may have outbursts when overstimulated.
A parent would need to work patiently with their child (and perhaps a professional) to establish, model, and teach healthy coping skills.
Feeling things very deeply
An HSP may be very sensitive to other situations and other people’s feelings.
A child that is an HSP may cry a lot, and that may be their emotional response to a bunch of different unpleasant feelings (anger, frustration, sadness, stress).
Feeling things deeply is a strength and not a weakness, if you have the right outlook.
Encourage communication with words, but make sure your kid knows that it’s okay to feel their feelings as well.
Do not shame them for being emotional.
Having anxiety and getting overwhelmed
It’s common for HSPs to struggle with anxiety.
This goes hand in hand with the overstimulation as well as overthinking.
A child that is an HSP may worry more than other children.
They may require more reassurance, support, coping skills, ways to self soothe, communication, and patience.
Anxiety in children can look like irritability, frustration, anger, change in sleep/appetite, crying more, nightmares, grades dropping, avoidance, and more.
Feeling physically ill and exhausted when stressed
HSP may experience somatic symptoms on top of their emotional and mental ones.
Common physical symptoms that HSPs may have are stomach aches, headaches, tiredness, aching, and face pressure.
A child commonly complaining of physical symptoms on top of showing other signs of being an HSP may need to see a mental health professional.
It would be important to teach your child that their body responds to their mind, and to understand that the root cause of some of their body aches is their mental health.
Thriving with routines and liking to plan ahead
Most children thrive with routine and plans, but an HSP thrives even more with it.
When planning ahead goes wrong or isn’t possible, the unknown can be stressful as well.
A highly sensitive child may want/need you to come up with plans for them, and discuss things far in advance with them.
They may need reassurance.
ambition, perfectionism, overthinking, imposter syndrome
Although being ambitious, passionate, and hard working are good qualities, HSP can second guess themselves.
This leads to wondering if they are even doing things right, although they do have the motivation and desire to succeed.
Some kids who struggle with this may struggle with test taking because they second guess their answers.
Others may struggle with their own talents because they want to be perfect.
Kids who are HSP may be extremely hard on themselves.
If you feel like your child or teen may be a highly sensitive person who struggles with any of these areas, and they could benefit from support from a mental health professional, don’t hesitate to reach out. Amel Counseling has child and teen therapists willing to help your child and family thrive. Call today for a free, 15 minute phone consultation and see how we can work together!