When You’re the One Who Feels Everything: Signs of Being a Highly Sensitive Woman
When You’re the One Who Feels Everything: Signs of Being a Highly Sensitive Woman
Do loud noises startle you? Do other people’s moods stick to you like glue? Maybe you need more downtime than your friends, or you find yourself weeping at a song or commercial that no one else seems affected by. If this sounds familiar, you might be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
As a therapist in Lake Oswego who works with many sensitive, deep-feeling women, I want you to know: You’re not too much. You’re not broken. And you’re definitely not alone.
In this post, we’ll explore what it means to be a highly sensitive woman, how to recognize the signs, and how therapy can help you embrace your sensitivity as the superpower it truly is.
What Is a Highly Sensitive Woman?
The term "Highly Sensitive Person" (HSP) was first coined by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron. It describes a temperament trait, not a mental health diagnosis. HSPs have a nervous system that processes information more deeply and responds more strongly to stimuli—both external and emotional.
About 15-20% of the population is thought to have this trait. That means you're not rare, but you are wired a bit differently. And that wiring comes with both gifts and challenges.
Highly sensitive women tend to be deeply intuitive, emotionally responsive, and profoundly affected by their environment. While this can be beautiful, it can also feel overwhelming—especially in a world that often prizes thick skin and fast pace over deep feeling.
Common Signs You May Be a Highly Sensitive Woman
Here are some signs that you might be one of us:
You feel emotions intensely – whether it's joy, sorrow, empathy, or awe, it's all amplified.
You need more rest or quiet time – your system gets overwhelmed by noise, chaos, or too much social stimulation.
You’re highly attuned to subtle cues – you pick up on micro-expressions, energy shifts, or unspoken tension.
Crowds or chaotic spaces wear you out – even a fun party can leave you drained.
You’re deeply moved by music, art, or nature – a piece of music can bring you to tears.
You tend to overthink or replay interactions – you want to understand what happened and how others felt.
Criticism hits hard – even well-meaning feedback can feel crushing.
You take care of everyone else’s feelings – and may struggle to find space for your own.
If several of these sound like you, you may very well be an HSP.
Sensitivity vs. Diagnosis—What’s the Difference?
Many highly sensitive women wonder if something more is going on. You may have asked yourself:
Do I have anxiety?
Could it be ADHD?
Am I on the autism spectrum?
It’s true—sensitivity overlaps with some of these conditions:
Anxiety: You may feel easily overwhelmed or constantly on edge.
ADHD: Distraction, emotional reactivity, and sensitivity to noise or texture can all appear.
Autism: Strong pattern recognition, sensory sensitivity, and deep empathy are shared traits.
Sensory Processing Differences: You may react strongly to light, sound, fabric, or touch.
But here’s the important thing: Being highly sensitive doesn’t mean you have a disorder. Sensitivity is a normal, healthy temperament trait. That said, it can coexist with anxiety, ADHD, or sensory processing issues—and therapy can help with all of it.
Understanding your sensitivity can bring enormous relief. It helps you stop trying to "fix" yourself and start caring for yourself instead.
The Gifts of Being Highly Sensitive
Yes, it can be overwhelming. But your sensitivity is also your strength.
You feel things deeply – and that allows you to connect in meaningful, authentic ways.
You have strong empathy – people feel seen, heard, and safe with you.
You notice beauty – in music, a sunset, a moment.
You’re creative and insightful – you often see things others miss.
You hold integrity and values – your conscience is strong, and you care deeply about fairness.
The world needs people like you.
The Challenges HSPs Often Face
But without understanding and support, it can be exhausting.
Constant overwhelm or burnout from sensory or emotional input
Feeling like you’re "too much" or "too emotional"
Difficulty setting boundaries or prioritizing your needs
Emotional exhaustion from taking care of others’ feelings
High levels of self-criticism or shame
If you grew up in a family or culture that didn’t value sensitivity, you may have internalized the belief that you needed to toughen up or stay quiet.
How Therapy Can Help Highly Sensitive Women Thrive
Therapy offers a safe space to:
Honor your sensitivity as a valuable part of who you are
Identify and shift limiting beliefs that keep you stuck
Set boundaries and stop people-pleasing without guilt
Understand your emotional world and soothe your nervous system
Heal early messages about being "too much"
You can move from overwhelm to groundedness, from self-doubt to self-trust.
A Note from a Therapist in Lake Oswego
If you're a highly sensitive woman, you don’t need to harden yourself to survive the world. You deserve a life that fits you—one that honors your sensitivity, rather than trying to erase it.
Therapy can help you understand your deep inner world, let go of shame, and learn to navigate life with more clarity, strength, and self-compassion.
Ready to Explore Therapy for Highly Sensitive Women in Lake Oswego?
If you recognized yourself in this post, I invite you to take the next step.
Schedule a consultation to learn how therapy can help you feel more at home in your sensitive, powerful self. Or click here for more information on my work with women (or even couples).
You don’t have to go it alone. Let’s walk this path together.