Were You Called ‘Too Sensitive’ as a Child? Here Are 16 Traits You May Have Now
Being labeled as ‘too sensitive' during childhood can leave lasting emotional scars that follow individuals into adulthood. When a child's feelings are constantly invalidated, they often grow up struggling with their emotions, self-worth, and interpersonal relationships.
Instead of learning to manage their sensitivity, they may suppress it, leading to various personality traits as adults. Here are 16 common traits that people develop when they were told they were ‘too sensitive’ as children and how those early experiences shape their adult lives.
Overthinking Every Situation
Adults who were told they were too sensitive often overanalyze situations, worrying about how their words and actions will be perceived. They may constantly second-guess themselves, fearing that they’ll be seen as overreacting or too emotional.
Fear of Rejection
Because their feelings were dismissed in childhood, these adults may develop an intense fear of rejection and abandonment. This fear can lead to anxiety in relationships, both personally and professionally.
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Heightened Empathy
Having their emotions disregarded often makes them more empathetic toward others. They tend to be highly attuned to the feelings of those around them and go out of their way to make others feel understood.
Difficulty Setting Boundaries
As children, they learned to suppress their feelings to avoid being labeled as overly sensitive. As adults, this can result in poor boundaries, where they prioritize others’ needs over their own.
Low Self-Esteem
Constantly hearing that they were too sensitive can cause individuals to doubt their worth and abilities. This can lead to a lack of confidence in their decisions, accomplishments, and self-image.
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People-Pleasing Tendencies
To avoid being called out for their emotions, they may develop people-pleasing tendencies. They prioritize keeping others happy, even at the expense of their own well-being.
Struggles with Assertiveness
Being told they were too sensitive often discourages them from standing up for themselves. As adults, they might find it challenging to express their needs or opinions confidently.
Constant Self-Criticism
They often internalize their childhood experiences and become their own worst critics. This harsh self-talk can create a negative loop of self-blame whenever they feel emotional or vulnerable.
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Hyper-Vigilance in Relationships
Having been told their feelings were wrong, they become hyper-aware of how others react to them. This can make them anxious in relationships, as they’re constantly monitoring for signs of disapproval or rejection.
A Need for Validation
Adults who were labeled as too sensitive often seek external validation because they didn’t receive emotional validation as children. They may crave constant reassurance from others to feel secure in their emotions and decisions.
Difficulty Trusting Others
After years of feeling misunderstood, they may struggle with trusting others fully. They may feel like people will always minimize their feelings, leading to guardedness in relationships.
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Over-Apologizing
To avoid conflict or accusations of being overly emotional, they tend to apologize excessively, even when they’ve done nothing wrong. This behavior stems from an ingrained fear of being blamed for emotional reactions.
Internalized Guilt
When their emotions were dismissed in childhood, these adults learned to feel guilty for expressing themselves. This internalized guilt may prevent them from sharing their true feelings with others.
Avoidance of Conflict
To steer clear of being perceived as too sensitive, they often avoid conflict at all costs. They may struggle to address issues head-on, opting for passive or indirect ways to deal with problems.
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Emotional Suppression
After years of being told their emotions were inappropriate, they may suppress their feelings. While this can lead to temporary peace, it often results in bottled-up emotions and unresolved issues.
A Deep Desire for Connection
Despite the negative traits, adults who were labeled as too sensitive often yearn for genuine connection. They long for relationships where they can be fully understood and accepted without fear of judgment.
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