Think of the times you've felt overwhelmed by a crowded room, a friend’s sad story, or even a loud TV. For Highly Sensitive Individuals (HSIs), this isn’t occasional; it’s their default wiring. In psychiatry, this trait is called Sensory Processing Sensitivity, and according to Dr Sandeep Vohra, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals & Founder nwnt.ai, it’s present in roughly 15–20 per cent of the population. “It’s not a disorder,” he says. “It’s a temperament trait. But it does shape how someone experiences the world, emotionally and physically.

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HSIs process information more deeply, notice subtleties others miss and are finely attuned to emotional shifts around them. These same qualities fuel empathy, creativity and depth of thought. But they also leave HSIs more open to stress, overstimulation and, without support, mental-health problems.

Myth-busting Sensitivity

The biggest misconception, Dr. Vohra says, is that highly sensitive people are “fragile” or “overly emotional.” In reality, their sensitivity is a biological trait influencing how they process stimuli, not a weakness. “When understood and supported, this trait becomes a strength,” he notes. “It’s why so many HSIs thrive in roles that demand intuition, compassion and attention to detail.”

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Why Anxiety and Depression Hit Harder

Because HSIs’ nervous systems are more reactive, they often experience stronger stress responses. “They live on a higher alert setting,” explains Dr. Vohra. In noisy, fast-paced or emotionally charged environments, this can lead to chronic overstimulation, one of the biggest risk factors for anxiety.

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HSIs also tend to internalise criticism and conflict more deeply. Over time, this can trigger rumination and negative self-perceptions, both of which are known to increase depression risk. “It’s not the sensitivity itself that’s the problem,” Dr. Vohra emphasises. “It’s the mismatch between their wiring and the environments they’re in.”

Environments That Amplify Vulnerability

Dr. Vohra points to several contexts where HSIs are especially at risk:

• High-pressure settings, such as competitive workplaces or academic institutions.
• Uncertainty or instability: finances, housing, or unpredictable family life.
• Interpersonal conflict or lack of social support, including bullying.
• Major life transitions like bereavement, relocation or role changes that disrupt coping structures.
• Overstimulating spaces with little chance for rest or recovery.

Combine a biologically sensitive nervous system with persistent stressors, and you get what Dr. Vohra calls a “perfect storm” for anxiety and depression. Early recognition of these triggers helps families, teachers, and employers create protective buffers, stable routines, emotional validation, and access to mental-health resources.

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What Works Best in Treatment

For HSIs already struggling with anxiety or depression, Dr. Vohra says the first step is assessment before intervention. Without understanding the intensity and sources of stress, treatment may miss the root causes. Standardised tools, clinical interviews and stress-assessment instruments all help in tailoring a plan.

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Once assessment is done, gentle, structured and validating therapies work best:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to reframe unhelpful thought patterns.
• Mindfulness-based practices and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to reduce emotional overwhelm.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills focusing on self-compassion, boundary-setting and emotional regulation.
• Lifestyle interventions such as sleep hygiene, physical activity, deep breathing, yoga or guided imagery.

Medication may be needed for severe symptoms, but Dr. Vohra notes, “always in combination with psychotherapy and under close supervision.” The goal is to reduce stress reactivity and help HSIs see their sensitivity as a strength rather than a burden.

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How Parents, Teachers and Partners Can Help

Support begins with listening, not fixing. “Families, teachers or partners often rush to solve the problem,” Dr. Vohra says. “But without assessment, you risk making it worse.” He suggests:

• Creating safe, non-judgmental spaces for open conversation.
• Checking in regularly, without being intrusive.
• Watching for early warning signs, irritability, withdrawal, sleep changes or performance dips, and sharing observations with professionals.
• Avoiding assumptions or overreactions.

These small steps make loved ones the first line of support, helping prevent escalation and guiding people to the right care.

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How Parents, Teachers and Partners Can Help

What excites Dr. Vohra most is the rise of objective stress-assessment tools. Traditionally, stress has been discussed vaguely; now, digital trackers, validated scales and even biomarkers allow clinicians to map stress more precisely. “Just as we run diagnostic tests before prescribing medication for physical health, we can now do the same for mental health,” he says. “It means we can intervene at the right time with the right approach.”

High sensitivity isn’t a flaw; it’s a way of being. With patient, evidence-based therapy, supportive environments and new technology, HSIs can turn vulnerability into resilience. “Our job,” Dr. Vohra concludes, “is to help them harness their sensitivity so survival gives way to thriving.”

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