Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

Health & Medicine

Psychology: A Sixth Sense – When is High Sensitivity Behind it?

Noises, smells, glances: Those who perceive everything particularly intensely often wonder whether they are highly sensitive. But a keen sense can also have other causes. A specialist clarifies.

Translated from German Read in German

Psychology: A Sixth Sense – When is High Sensitivity Behind it?

Some people are extremely aware of their surroundings, noticing details that others may miss. This condition, known as high sensitivity, is described as an above-average sensitivity of the nervous system to internal and external stimuli, according to Dr. Steffen Häfner, a specialist in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy. High sensitivity can be confused with other conditions such as social anxiety, ADHD, and trauma, but Häfner notes that there are distinct differences.

High sensitivity is not a mental disorder or medical diagnosis, but rather a personality trait that is not typically treatable, and research on the topic is ongoing, with Elaine N. Aron being a key figure in its development. Understanding high sensitivity can help individuals better understand themselves and identify their limits.

Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

Read the original at handelsblatt.com →

More in Health & Medicine

More from Tuesday 25 August →