Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?

Take this quiz to find out.

Have you been told that you’re “too sensitive”? Do you pick up on other people’s moods, sometimes to the point where you start feeling what they’re feeling? If so, you might be a highly sensitive person (HSP). Originally coined by psychologist Elaine Aron, the term “highly sensitive person” refers to someone who is very affected by their surrounding environment, and who feels their emotions really deeply.

Sound like you? Take this quiz to find out where on the sensitivity spectrum you fall and whether or not you may be an HSP.

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Questions Overview

1. I’m easily affected by other people’s moods.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
2. I notice subtle things in my environment that other people tend to miss.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
3. I easily get overwhelmed by intense sounds, smells, tastes, etc.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
4. I’m more sensitive to pain than most other people.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
5. I need to recharge after busy, chaotic, and stimulating events.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
6. Caffeine has a strong effect on me.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
7. My inner life is vibrant and complex.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
8. Good art and music can move me to tears.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
9. Sometimes I feel so worn-out or overwhelmed that I step away to be alone.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
10. I’m a polite, considerate person.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
11. I’m easily scared.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
12. The pressure of tight deadlines makes me very stressed.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
13. If someone seems uncomfortable in a situation, I usually know how to make them more comfortable.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
14. I don’t like when people ask me to do a lot of things at once.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
15. I put a lot of pressure on myself to not make mistakes.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
16. I avoid consuming violent media.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
17. Being hungry has a big impact on my mood and focus.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
18. I prefer sticking to a routine over experiencing a lot of change.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
19. I perform worse at activities when I’m being watched and judged.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
20. In childhood, people often described me as sensitive and shy.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree

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What is a Highly Sensitive Person?

A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone who is more sensitive to their external environment and feels their emotions more intensely than others. They tend to be very perceptive of how others are feeling, and they may even “absorb” other people’s feelings and feel those things themselves. HSPs form deep, emotional bonds with people, but they may also need more alone time, especially when they’re overwhelmed by external stimuli or a chaotic schedule.

It’s important to note that “highly sensitive person” isn’t an official diagnosis or mental health condition. Instead, the HSP label is a personality type that some people identify with.

Some common traits of highly sensitive people include:

  • Easily being affected by other people’s moods
  • Having an ability to sense how others feel
  • Finding intense sounds, smells, tastes, etc. overwhelming
  • Requiring downtime away from others
  • Experiencing difficulty operating under pressure
  • Having a vibrant inner world
  • Easily being moved by beautiful art and music
  • Being polite and considerate of others

If you’re an HSP, remember to schedule downtime and practice self-care to recharge. Don’t be afraid to turn down plans or tell someone no if you’re already feeling busy or stressed. And if you feel like being highly sensitive is having negative effects on your mental health, consider talking to a therapist for support.

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