Hm. Interesting subject. I think I'm a weird combination of sensitive and not - emotionally/mentally speaking.

I'm a very direct person (heh!) and I can't stand it when someone asks for advice or an opinion and then gets upset or bent because they get a direct answer. I consider honesty and direct, clear speaking to be a priority and a character value. I respect it in other people and I cultivate it in myself. I don't have a lot of patience for what I consider to be excessive emotional sensitivity.

OTOH, I strive really hard to be sensitive to other cultures and belief systems. I got trashed by some fellow professionals one time because I said that a business should never send out Christmas cards - to be respectful to those clients/vendors who might not celebrate Christmas. Instead, my business sends out New Years cards, wishing my clients and vendors a happy and successful New Year. Although I am not religious myself, I do accept that others do have a religious faith and try to respect that (although I hate being preached to or prayed for).

As far as physical sensitivities, honestly I can't think of any that I have. I have a molar that's a bit sensitive right now and I need to get to the dentist about that (*grin*) but other than that, I'm not really the sensitive type, I guess.

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I'm emotionally sensitive. My feelings are easily hurt.

I've never thought to connect physical sensitivity to emotional sensitivity, but now that I'm reading through these posts, it does seem to go together. As far as physical sensitivity, my list is similar to many already listed: lactose intolerant, garlic causes migraines, perfumes, soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, make-ups, wool itches unbearably, can't wear mohair or angora, and on and on and on. But, i'm also one who cries at commercials and every movie I see and also have the tendency to take comments of others very personally (I'm learning to get over that one).

I'm also realizing that one of our sons is very similar-no allergies, but wants a furry, soft blanket (and he's 12!) and only certain clothing and he'll also cry at the drop of a hat. We laugh because we both look at each other during the sad parts of movies to see who will start crying first-lol!

Very interesting subject!

you just described me!!! I have irritable bowel syndrome, pale sensitive skin that is quick to burn, break out, rash, ANYTHING! I am known for over analyzing. Actually when I was a baby the doctors called me "hypersensitive" lol. I screamed and cried all the time. Mom says I grew up to be a great toddler and a good kid though I can definitely take most criticism now, but I find that I'm much more irritable than I used to be. I'm generally a sweet, happy, thoughtful person but I'm also quick to get that flash of irritation and impatience, more so than others I think. I'm working on that...

Wow, I'm glad I brought this subject up and thanks everything for answering. You're all making me a) feel like I'm even more sensitive than I realized and b) feel like I'm not totally alone.

Many of you have brought up other things too that I'm really sensitive about: tags in clothing, certain fits and fibers, I feel like crying whenever the slightest bit of emotional music starts playing and I also feel like crying when there's a thunderous applause... isn't that strange? I can't wear makeup like foundation, I find it itchy and suffocating. I also can't be hurried... if I have a day where I am going from wake up to bedtime I feel panicky. I need time to sit and process the day. I am consequently not very productive for my need to analyze everything.

I like this idea of a sensitive personality type because it makes me think about how I approach my goals and obstacles (oh, overanalyzing again!). I think about the mood swings I have and how I approach my relationships. I'd really like to try to get over some of the emotional stuff (and the physical stuff, but how?). Anyways, I think I just need to work with my sensitivities, emotional and physical instead of trying to change them. Like when I found out I have this skin sensitivity, I felt kind of relieved like... there's nothing to fix. It's just how I am.

YES!!!! ME too!! Also, I was walking across the bridge last week on a BEAUTIFUL day and looking at the snow-capped mountains and listening to a great song on my iPod and my chest started to get tight and tears in my eyes just because of how amazingly beautiful it was. The beauty was overwhelming.

Now see, I just got tears in my eyes TYPING that paragraph. *sigh* I'm hopeless

A question for you all, because I noticed another poster mentioning irritation.

How many of the people who consider themselves highly sensitive have a problem with major irritation all the time? Just curious.

~CGH~

I kept getting all sorts of rashes and stuff...turns out I'm allergic to 3 different types of chemical preservatives. They were in my cosmetics, toothpaste, contact solution, mouthwash, lotion---EVERYTHING. ...Believe me, I know how much it sucks to have sensitive skin. I'm very, very fair skinned--really white. I have roseacea and just about everything else wrong with me.

I'm also allergic to milk--get hives. I'm allergic to the cold too, believe it or not. I break out into hives and swell up just walking to my car!!!

Irritation like... skin or irritation like... getting crabby?

I guess my answer to both is YES. My skin is irritated many times a day by everything.. shaving, my clothes, sitting too long, sweating. And I am an easily irritated person... My boyfriend annoys me, my co-workers annoy me, everything annoys me! But also being analytical I tend to think "WHY is this bothering me?" and I do a lot of self-therapy and move on fairly quickly... however not without a snap or two at my boyfriend or a scowl at work. Ugh. I wish on both accounts I was more laidback and adaptable.

I am the definition of sensitive unfortunately. I cry when I see someone happy, I cry when someone is sad...weddings, movies, inspiring...commercials??? If my fiance pokes too many jokes at me I cry, which really bothers me cause he feels super guilty and grouchy...

Thankfully skin wise and such I'm not too bad. Perfumes and powders kill my allergies.

Anyone wanna de-sensitize me?

you and I are twins!

yes, I meant irritation like crabby irritated.