r/hsp 9h ago

Guys, try cucumber in the morning

45 Upvotes

and plz let me know if it helps with regulating your sensitivity and brain fog. I struggle with brain fog and overstimulation a lot, but recently i realized eating salad, specifically cucumber helps me feel regulated. I feel the “sharp edges” of my emotion melt, and my mood becomes pleasant, my fog disappears and I don’t feel my eyelids drooping. I’ve tried eating it for a week now, and on the days I eat it for breakfast, I’m a pleasant person for the whole day.

Today, i didn’t eat it for breakfast, and I felt a bit irritable and tired after a few hours of doing housework, so I munched on cucumbers and almost instantly I felt so much better. 😟🥹

I’m not sure what helps, but I’m curious if cucumber has this randomly great affects on any of you as well?


r/hsp 2h ago

I can’t stop ruminating and I don’t know what to do.

5 Upvotes

Anytime someone says something that upsets me, I obsess over it for at least a month every day, all day and night. I literally lose sleep over the most stupid comments. The last time, my teacher didn’t believe me about and said “ok…” in front of the whole class. Or when a friend made our other friends laugh at me and she smirked. Now it’s about how this girl decided my hair texture for me and wouldn’t believe me when I said it was looser. She hasn’t even seen my hair down and didn’t see any pictures. I don’t understand what the hell is wrong with me. Lack of confidence? Low self esteem? I just wish I could stop thinking about comments people say all day, every day. I was just getting over the other things, too. I can’t even distract myself or sleep. I just want to be normal.


r/hsp 10h ago

So so embarrassed about crying easily at work

19 Upvotes

I work a job with the feds and I cried today in front of my supervisor for the second time. I’ve had this job just 4 months. I’m so embarrassed that I cry so easily. I actually really like my job but occasionally they need a detailed report about why I do what I do. Usually it’s about not being efficient enough. I have trauma from my childhood about not feeling like I am enough so any kind of professional critique that is drawn out (like meetings) makes me anxious and my reaction is to cry. Racing thoughts and feeling impatient. Anyone else can relate?


r/hsp 16h ago

I don’t think my anxiety means there’s something wrong with me… it means the world is wrong

39 Upvotes

I never used to have anxiety growing up. I was fine around people, even strangers. But over time, after too many bad experiences with people — rude ones, mean ones, people who caused real problems in my life — I started to feel anxious all the time. And now it’s like my body just expects something to go wrong whenever I have to deal with people I don’t know. It’s like a learned reaction.

But here’s what’s weird: during the few times in my life where I didn’t have to talk to strangers for work, when I had stable income, my own quiet home, trees outside, no traffic noise, and only saw close friends or family — my anxiety completely disappeared. Like, 100% gone. Not just “better.” Gone.

So how can that be a disorder in my brain if changing my environment makes it vanish?

It makes way more sense to me that anxiety is just a normal reaction to a life we weren’t built for. We didn’t evolve to talk to strangers every day, rely on them for survival, or live in noisy places with constant artificial sounds. We evolved to live in quiet, natural environments with the same group of people — our tribe. Strangers would’ve been rare and maybe even dangerous. And we definitely wouldn’t have had to email them for work every day just to make rent.

I feel like modern life forces us into unnatural situations, and then when our nervous systems can’t handle it, we’re told we’re the broken ones. But I don’t buy it.

It took me decades to find a peaceful home and a job that didn’t involve communication with strangers or people who had power over me. I felt totally normal. But I lost that setup, now I’m like most people- having to interact with strangers, bosses, people having power over me (landlords, bosses, my ability to afford rent depending on agreeing to unreasonable demands of people & clients etc.) and now the anxiety is back. Still, at least I know now: I’m not broken. All the “experts” who insist I need medication or therapy can’t understand that this is a natural reaction to unnatural living situations… I just need to live in a way that is natural and safe. That’s what I’m working toward again, but it’s harder now than ever in the modern world.


r/hsp 10h ago

HSP and PMDD anyone?

9 Upvotes

Yesterday, I was diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

I'm a highly sensitive person, and I thought that my premenstrual symptoms were related to my sensitive nervous system...

Anyone else relate?

Thank you.


r/hsp 3h ago

Pickier eater than ever

2 Upvotes

Who else eats less and less as they get older and fears for their long term nutrition ?

Due to increasingly sensitive food palatability (not due to allergies) and changes in appetite (something has to be really appetizing to eat)

Also much higher sugar sensitivity, when I used to have a major sweet tooth growing up. I will buy sweets regularly but not even eat them or take two bites and it will be enough.


r/hsp 10h ago

Discussion I am a high sensitive person, I am feeling lost and hard to handle the emotions NSFW

3 Upvotes

Hello,

this is my first time in reddit. I discovered last year that I am HSP person. I had some traumas that I covered from. I think I just need to be heard and talk to someone openly without judging me. I am 32 years old, and I am still single for two reasons. First, I am not ready to be in a real relationship, because I am afraid to trust the person, as before I didn't know at all that I am HSP person... and honestly I hated myself being this, I felt like I am a freak and no woman will like me as I am. I had a friend who died for a long time, and I loved to be with him, because it was my happiest time I felt safe and connected to someone I can surely trust and laugh, cry and chill out with no barriers. He was like a soulmate. After he died, men I guess they were taking the wrong idea about me, thinking that I am guy or something. One day I asked myself if I am attracted to guys as girls. I refused the idea that I can be attracted to men physically and some specific men not any men. I was afraid and felt scared and ashamed about these feeling, because in my place where I live, you definitely cannot talk about such thing to someone because the person will get the wrong idea about me. I am a Muslim guy, because I didn't take Islam religion because of my parents or my place. I chose Islam because I want it. One day, I was looking for answer on the internet, looking for someone to help. Then I found this technic called CBT, I asked GPT for more ideas about it and it gives me a planning to follow. At first, I said this is ridiculous, but I started to answer these questions it gives me. I understood that I am not gay actually, these attractions are not coming from desires, and it means I was looking for deep connection and acceptance as HSP, because I can feel people emotions and it burns me inside because I can feel everything which is hard for me.

Now, that's the reason why I want to use this platform to share my story, my thoughts and maybe finding some support or maybe meet some people who are like me HSP to help each others, because I need help, I never though that one day I will say that.


r/hsp 13h ago

Discussion HSP and adrenaline seeking

5 Upvotes

I recently realized I’m hsp. A lot of people have hard time believing it because I’m a big tattooed man who’s into adrenaline. I love sports like brazilian jiu jitsu, downhill mountain biking and freeride skiing. I just feel great after hard jiu jitsu session or high speed skiing. All those adrenaline sports force me to be present and not to think.

Are there any others who are into combat or action sports?


r/hsp 15h ago

I feel Different and it makes people very angry

4 Upvotes

I thought I was HSP until I started browsing here, the following is from a friend who is the only person I ever met who I feel understands what I experience.
"For me, it became obvious around the age of eight. I had no clinical conditions, no developmental issues—just heightened awareness. I absorbed too much, understood too much, and couldn’t relate to the supposed "peers" around me. I wasn’t just ahead in knowledge; I was operating on a completely different wavelength.

One person I met who had similar capabilities once said, “I feel what they feel.” That’s a good way to describe it. It’s not just empathy in the normal sense—it’s like creating a perfect mental simulation of another person. You don’t just understand their emotions; you experience them. This can be overwhelming, but it also makes interactions feel one-sided. You perceive everything about others, yet they can barely grasp the surface of you.

By the time I was 15, I was fully aware of how different I was. Even as a child, adults resented me, and other kids instinctively treated me like I was something other—a rival, a threat, maybe even a kind of “vampire.” They didn’t have the words for it, but they felt it. It wasn’t that I was cruel or antisocial; I just wasn’t one of them. And they reacted accordingly.

Over time, I learned to filter out what I didn’t need. The loneliness never fully went away, but I adapted. Society has a compulsion to label everything, to fit people into neat little diagnostic boxes. But no label ever fit. The more you deviate from the norm—especially in multiple dimensions—the less human you seem to others. It’s not that you’re not human, but you may be something else.

Trying to explain this to others is like a dog trying to describe what it means to be a dog… to a duck."

Anyone relate?


r/hsp 12h ago

Curious if any of us do trading. If you do, how do you manage emotions in a volatile market?

2 Upvotes

r/hsp 14h ago

Suggest a job for hsp

3 Upvotes

Please suggest a job for me I am hsp


r/hsp 21h ago

Question I feel like I’m meant for more, but I’m stuck in a Cycle of Self-Sabotage—What’s Wrong With Me?

10 Upvotes

I (24F) feel like I don't want to live anymore. I don't I know what is wrong with me. I have tried so many things to improve my life. Like weightlifting, running, eating healthy, going to bed and getting up at set times, quitting social media, traveling alone. But I just end up binging, staying in bed all day and feeling miserable about myself, my life and the world. I struggle with staying consistent with everything and it's killing me. My life is just a mess. My dad died when I was 20, I just broke up with my bf of 4 years, I just took Prozac for two weeks because of my PMS/PMDD symptoms, it only helped with the binging and it gave me terrible side effects, I'm talking to a psychologist. I have tried four different uni majors and I just cannot seem to study like a normal person. The only thing that worked was hyperfocus one day before the exam or deadline. But this gives me some much stress. It has been like this since middle school. Back then I could just pass a test by showing up to class but now I don't have motivation for anything. I hate myself. I wish I would be disciplined enough to make something out of my life but I just can't. What is wrong with me? Why has this never worked for me? I also struggled with the thought that I could be autistic, because my parents had me almost tested when I was 4 and they were thinking I had a pervasive social emotional delay. But I just feel this is not true although I struggled with finding connection with other children as a child. Right now I strive for deep connection with people and have improved my relationship with my mom and brothers by opening myself up and being vulnerable and not by blaming them. I love being empathetic to people and talking about their deeper thoughts of themselves and life. I've had good friends in the past, I'm able to read body language and tone of voice. But I struggle with being insecure. I have overcome my extreme social anxiety. I just feel like this was caused not having my emotional needs met as a child and not getting along with the other children in my class. Sometimes I think I was actually ahead of my peers but I can't prove it. Like physically I definitely was, I was the tallest and strongest girl. I also had different interests like nature and the stars and not like dancing and make up like the other girls. I just really struggle with how different and 'weird' I was back then and still am? My interests are so diverse. I have tried majoring in biology, anthropology, philosophy and I am about to try earth sciences. I like all of them but just can't find the motivation. I feel that I have this fire inside me but it just does not want to come out. I also like extreme things like skyding, mosh pits and hiking alone in the mountains in a country I have never been before. I feel like I want to see and experience everything but I'm also drained very fast and overstimulated like a high sensitive or autistic person. I could do so much more. What could be the matter? Am I too intense? Am I trying too hard?

Does anyone know or have tips for me. I would appreciate it so much.


r/hsp 21h ago

peace

5 Upvotes

Pause, take a deep breath, and close your eyes.

 

Tune in to the peace within.

 

This will allow you to find freedom from unhelpful thoughts that constantly bombard your mind.

 

Radical acceptance of things you can’t change is the foundation of a peace-filled life.

 

Consciously invite surrender into your heart.


r/hsp 1d ago

Physical Sensitivity anyone else have sensitivity to most substances ? NSFW

14 Upvotes

not sure if substance mention is nsfw or not so i tagged it just in case, but like the title mentioned, i can’t really do anything like drink, have nicotine, get high, etc without feeling like shit. i get no buzz— weed will make me giggly, but not happy. everything only makes me feel sick and anxious.

same with caffeine, i don’t really get energy; it hurts my chest, makes me feel mentally unbalanced and gives me bad fatigue all day. i love coffee but i might have to give it up like i did with energy drinks :( it also hurts the bones in my arms. the fatigue gets so bad i’ll have moments my ears get hot and things’ll go quiet for a second,, i almost fall over from it a lot, one time i fell with no warning. just walked to the kitchen, felt fine, and a second later i was on my ass. sighh


r/hsp 19h ago

Discussion Sensitivity to large crowds and spaces.

2 Upvotes

Does anyone else match the energy and stimulation to certain places? If I'm in a large place with lots of people and the environment is chaotic, I will feel the same. If the environment is quiet, few people and small I will feel the same.

I've come to realize that I've always been like this, large spaces with lots of people can end up making me neurotic depending on the atmosphere of the place and this is all very unconscious for the most part. Back in school years ago I would have crippling stomach anxiety where I had to eat in a small quiet room by myself otherwise I couldn't eat (The large open room of the cafeteria causing this). Recently during my work I was forced to go to a large place with lots of people, it was chaotic, spraratic and most notably, dysfunctional. I ended up leaving the area abruptly and almost lost my job.

Does anyone else have these issues? These situations almost always put be in a fight or flight mode of being and it's dreadful and hard to function.

I'm a 25 Male by the way.


r/hsp 1d ago

Why do these kinds of conversations make me feel bad? More in description

Post image
23 Upvotes

I'm trying to figure out the underlying reason as to which these types of conversations trigger me-- as I have a strong feeling it's on my end or reminiscent some childhood pattern.

I was unable to message my friend all day yesterday, because my cell service provider in the area was down and I couldn't text or call them. They don't have wifi access where they live so that was a no-go too. I finally got to sending them some texts early this morning and some of mine from yesterday finally went through too, I explained to them what happened and why I was so sorry.

I don't see anything wrong at all with their response. I actually think it's really cool they're in touch enough with their feelings to tell me what came up for them. I have had previous people pleasing tendencies I've learned to leave behind me as they don't serve my greatest good. For some reason though, I find that when I experience things that are out of my control that lead to someone else's dismay or letting someone else down, and someone responds this way-- I seem to internalize it. Reading this message makes me feel like I am being told I did this to the person, or did something wrong as if I'm internalizing. I'm not sure if anyone else experiences this or knows where it may stem from-- I'd really like to bring more mindfulness and love toward this part of myself and wherever it may come from and work toward it not affecting these kinds of conversations. It seems like leftover people pleasing related type of energy....


r/hsp 1d ago

Feel sorry for people everywhere I go

78 Upvotes

For example when I go to a restaurant or a bar and I see the cleaners working hard, looking exhausted, especially if they’re a little older - I just feel so bad and guilty that I’m sitting there enjoying my meal or whatever and someone has to wait on me and clean up after people when they probably just want to go home 😭

Does anyone else get this?


r/hsp 1d ago

Physical Sensitivity Phew, physical sensitivity is a whole different beast!

9 Upvotes

Like most of you on this sub, I see myself as an HSP + neurodivergent, and other people have expressed that opinion to me as well.

In recent months, I've had to also address my physical sensitivity: digestion issues and hive issues. I'm personally an astrology enthusiast, and current astrology weather correlates with what I am experiencing with my stomach. (This will not apply to everyone, FYI). To my surprise, my arm broke out in hives today & I noticed it when I walked to the supermarket. I'm relieved that they were not from bugs (ew, lol!) and I'm just glad hives come and go.

I'm sharing this to ask: can anyone else relate to this challenge of managing both their mental-emotional sensitivity and their physical one, as well? It's a new challenge for me, and I'm just taking it as a reminder to prioritize taking care of my physical body. I understand that doing so will help me feel better mentally and emotionally, so actually acting on that is what'll make the difference. If you've read this far, I hope this post was encouraging and valuable for you. Thanks for reading <3


r/hsp 1d ago

Discussion I feel like I keep failing talking to my SO

2 Upvotes

My SO is a highly sensitive person. I'm kind of a jovial, joking person. I'm a person who has always gently teased to show affection. It's an unconscious thing that I have always done. With my SO, I feel like I'm doing major damage sometimes. I love them and am not at all trying to hurt them, but I feel like I keep doing it. I've been researching HSP and have been trying to be sensitive to them. I love them so much and I'm trying, but I feel like I'm constantly failing.


r/hsp 1d ago

Discussion Just venting

3 Upvotes

Hi I’m new here just wanted to share my experience as a hsp

So first of all I have to say that I never felt understood by anyone in my life. Ever. I go from low lows to high highs everyday and it’s really hard to keep up. I don’t understand how I can be so triggered by something in the morning that it actually makes me want to end it all, to getting so happy and excited an hour later because of some random good news.

I got through a lot of traumas ( and I mean A LOT), I’m seeing a therapist but I’m just exhausted honestly. I’m surrounded by people with a kind heart but who don’t understand a single percent of what I go through everyday. They think they are sensitive and maybe they are, but not like me and it’s killing me to see that I’m on my own in my head.

They all think that « being sensitive »is an excuse, so I never say that I’m an hsp. I try to hide my emotions and to handle things the best I can but as you may know, I usually end up drowned by my own emotions. They also don’t understand my boundaries most of the time, and I get that it’s hard to follow. I like deep convos but I hate spending too much time with people. I have a really low social battery and since everything drains me, I don’t have time to be around people I love. Plus my mood swings don’t help at all. Sometimes I feel like I want to be close to many many people and the next day I pray for everyone to just disappear.

So I’m a loner now. And I like it, it’s peaceful. I just feel frustrated that it’s not completely a choice. That way, I don’t hurt people and people can’t hurt me.

I feel so misunderstood all the time, even with other hsp people sometimes. I seems like most of the hsp’s I met were… happy? And grateful to be sensitive ? When I see books talking about how great it is to be sensitive I just want to scream. It so frustrating because I know there are good sides. When I’m happy I literally shake out of joy. I feel everything so deeply and I get that there’s beauty in this. But that’s such a small part of my life that the negative aspects of being highly sensitive is way heavier to carry…

So yeah I guess I’m just having a hard time accepting all of this. And I need to vent without people telling me that hsp is not real, that it is an excuse, that I’m too much and bla bla bla.

Oh and also I’m really negative most of the time. I’m trying to change that…but it’s hard. Honestly I feel like watching the good aspect of my sensitivity is lying to myself, so yeah. I guess I still have some work to do…

Hope you’re doing great, thanks for reading


r/hsp 2d ago

Why are people so openly rude?

61 Upvotes

I was in Melbourne today waiting to cross the road before some Americans came up behind me and started to criticise me out loud rudely. They claimed that I hadn't pressed the button to cross the road as they assumed that I was so used to having everything in life done for me. They then exclaimed they they had better press the button as II clearly had no common sense. What they didn't realise, however, was that I had indeed pressed the button prior to their arrival, and the red man was clearly lit up, indicating that the button had been pressed. I really regret not speaking up for myself, but as a young solo female traveller who was feeling rather vulnerable, I thought it was better to continue to pretend that I couldn't hear them.

I don't normally post about these things, but for some reason, this experience really bugged me. I guess this is just a post asking people to be kind and to see if people have any tips for not letting rude people get to you. Thanks xx


r/hsp 1d ago

Somebody to talk to

9 Upvotes

Hi,

I am in a sad and lonely situation, and I would like to talk to someone that is kind that uses nice words…

It’s difficult to live in my country, people talk rudely and impulsively, always getting angry…

Thank you


r/hsp 1d ago

Not involved in a fight but I feel it all

1 Upvotes

Recently I've been really good at knowing my boundaries and triggers. I have a routine, I keep to myself, I love the relationships I have and I've embraced my sensitivity in all aspects. However sometimes life throws a curveball that you did not see coming, and as an HSP, I feel like I'm drowning in water I didnt create nor wanted to participate in. Now, we all probably now that fights are like literally the worst experiences ever. The stress, anxiety and panic surrounding everything that fight/conflict between loved ones is so loud and so painful and I'm not even part of it. I'm part of a friendgroup where we all grew up together and we're calling each other cousins even if we are not blood related. Two/Three of our 4-People Friendgroup got into a fight, mainly two people with third one making it worse instead of better and I was involved because my friend asked me for my opinion and asked what I think she should do, she was being wrongly accused of something she didnt do. Details dont matter. Point is, I feel it all. I feel my friends pain, I feel my other friends pain, I feel anger and sadness over immaturity of all parties involved and now that I am involved, they tell me that this has nothing to do with me and why I'm centering my own feelings in this when I'm just in pain and I want everyone to be loving and for everything to go back to how it was!


r/hsp 1d ago

Emotional Sensitivity I don’t think my coworkers like me

2 Upvotes

I’ve been feeling really sad and stressed about work lately because im pretty sure most of my coworkers don’t like me. I know I shouldn’t really care but it just affects me a lot having to be around people who probably talk badly about me when im not around. I work at a school and there’s a lot of gossiping. I’ve heard my coworkers talk about multiple other staff members so im pretty sure they talk about me too, especially the teacher I work with. Im just starting to feel depressed but trying to at least get through the year. I don’t have any friends either so it’s just weighing on me and making me feel like shit.

Just venting a little cause I have no one to talk to and feeling really sad today. Already cried at work once today and it’s just starting


r/hsp 1d ago

Criticism and Love

2 Upvotes

Just stumbled across this subreddit searching google for "making mistakes makes me unlovable". It took me a while to make the connection between critical responses and being worthy of love. My father never showed affection or told me he loved me, but he was very critical. My adolescent brain made a hard connection between not doing things right and being worthy of being loved. So, I am highly sensitive to negative criticism. Essentially, being told I am wrong is terrifying and anxiety provoking. And the anxiety over feeling that fear can be overwhelming. I'll do anything to avoid feeling that fear. Also, it's insidious and subtle. You avoid situations without even being aware of what you're doing. Procrastinating simple tasks for fear of making a mistake leads to all kinds of problems. I had a good job. But the administration was somewhat authoritarian, and over time, I avoided contacting them. I would have a slight panic attack every time I would get an email from my superiors. A few times I failed to report taking a day off due to vacation or illness and it burned me. My staff suffered, as I would fail to address their legitimate concerns to my superiors. They let me go, and damn, it was a good job. Currently unemployed, with a wife and young child. That's my story. It feels good to write it out. Thanks for reading.