People with highly sensitive processing sensitivity have brains that become highly activated by stimulation and show greater depth of information processing. This is not a disorder but a part of inborn temperament, and has evolutionary benefits. Highly sensitive people pick up on subtle details that others miss and are more empathic with other people. There are challenges that come with this gift. Highly sensitive people may more easily feel overstimulated or overwhelmed, and/or experience intense emotions, perfectionism, worry, depression or anxiety. You don’t need to ‘toughen up’ or overcome this sensitivity. Learning to work with this trait means understanding how to benefit it, identifying where it might be getting in the way, recognizing how to integrate it and learning strategies for managing the sensitivity so your best self can shine through.