We all know at least one person who can come across as being sensitive or "overly emotional." Maybe it's your best friend, a family member, or even yourself.
In my case, I definitely identify as being a sensitive person and am often labeled as such. Being a sensitive person is not just someone who just cries all the time for no reason, though, and it can be frustrating to be looked at as being easily provoked or fragile, especially if it's from someone close to you.
I often joke that I should be a tough, hard-as-nails person coming from New York and all, but in reality, I tend to be overly emotional. The thing that many people don't understand is that for myself and many others, it can feel involuntary many times to have intense emotional reactions to little things or big events going on in your life.
Sometimes making a mistake or having someone get annoyed with me can make me feel anxious or stressed even if, in reality, it isn't that big of a deal. Sensitive people are often aware of their feelings but it doesn't always make it easier to keep them at bay. Most times I'm aware that I am letting myself feel bad when, in reality, I shouldn't be. Reassuring yourself doesn't always help and doesn't always have immediate results.
One of the worst things about it is having people constantly telling you to just stop being so emotional or being a cry baby.
Newsflash: sensitive people don't enjoy the gut punch of feeling depressed or overwhelmed with anxiety or sadness without warning at any given moment. To be quite frank, it sucks! Not to mention it sometimes takes a physical toll depending on how hard you get hit with said emotion or emotions.
This isn't to say that sensitive people will always cry or even outwardly show that they're feeling bothered about something. Most times, this sensitivity and the anxiety that goes along with it is internalized and isn't noticed unless the person says something. People like myself will often try to focus on helping others whenever they can because we often know how one person can be feeling overwhelmed and either hide it or be worried to show it.
I worry about being seen as sensitive since it's often used in an insulting manner which adds to the stigma in this situation. Now while this isn't to say that being overly sensitive is a good thing, it's more to point out the fact that people like us don't want to be teased or bullied over this fact. It's just adding insult to injury.
It's a difficult situation that doesn't always get easier over time. There isn't a set miracle solution to being overly sensitive but it can get more manageable with awareness and communication about the subject.
