Tejal Somvanshi
People who react strongly to bright lights, loud noises, and subtle changes in their surroundings face higher risks of anxiety and depression, according to groundbreaking new research. The study also found these “highly sensitive” individuals often respond better to certain therapies.
Scientists from the University of Surrey and Queen Mary University of London analyzed data from 33 studies involving nearly 13,000 people. This marks the first time researchers have combined results from multiple studies on this topic.
The findings show clear links between sensitivity and several mental health problems. Beyond anxiety and depression, sensitive people showed higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social fears, and avoidant behaviors.
“We found positive and moderate correlations between sensitivity and various mental health problems,” said Tom Falkenstein, a psychotherapist leading the research. “This suggests sensitivity should be considered more in clinical practice.”
About one in three people (31%) qualify as highly sensitive, according to the research. These individuals process their surroundings more deeply than others. They often notice tiny details that others miss, feel overwhelmed in busy environments, and pick up easily on other people’s emotions.
Most mental health professionals don’t routinely check for sensitivity levels, potentially missing an important factor in their patients’ experiences. This oversight happens because treatment typically focuses more on other personality traits, like neuroticism.
The research revealed sensitivity works both ways. While it makes people more vulnerable to mental health problems, it also helps them benefit more from positive experiences – including therapy.
“Highly sensitive people are more responsive to positive experiences, including psychological treatment,” explained Michael Pluess, Professor at the University of Surrey. “The quality of their environment is particularly important for their well-being.”
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This means sensitive people often respond especially well to certain treatments. The researchers highlight mindfulness and relaxation techniques as particularly helpful approaches that could improve recovery and prevent relapse.
For mental health professionals, the message is clear: recognizing sensitivity levels could lead to better treatment results.
“Our work shows awareness of sensitivity must improve among clinicians,” Falkenstein emphasized. “Tailoring treatment to match sensitivity levels could help millions of people.”
The research team included experts from several universities, including Kings College London and Trinity College Dublin. Their work appears in the journal Clinical Psychological Science.
For the millions of sensitive people worldwide, this research validates their experiences and points toward better treatment options that could improve mental health outcomes.
