How to Get Along With a Highly Sensitive Person

Avoid accusing your highly sensitive friend of being too sensitive.

Getting along with a highly sensitive person can be challenging if you are not used to being attuned to people's feelings. A sensitive person may get hurt or offended easily, even in situations where you had no intention of hurting or upsetting her. Learning to be mindful of her sensitive nature will help you get along better and keep your relationship from deteriorating.

Instructions

1. Cut down on the criticism. Even if you are a critical person by nature, keeping the critical comments to yourself will help ensure that the sensitive person doesn't find your input offensive. Even small criticisms can make a sensitive person defensive and break down your relationship.

2. Avoid showing anger and frustration. Even if your anger and frustration are not directed at the sensitive person, those emotions can still evoke defensiveness and hurt feelings. Do not raise your voice. Instead, distance yourself from the situation to avoid unintentionally hurting the sensitive individual. If you are angry with the sensitive person, do not address the issue until you have calmed down and are as cool and level-headed as possible. Do not yell or accuse the sensitive person, as this will cause her to withdraw and avoid your company in the future.

3. Be attuned to the sensitive person's body language. If you have unintentionally offended her, catching this right away will give you a chance to make the situation right before it escalates. Spending time with your sensitive friend will help you become aware of changes in body language, tone of voice and facial expression. When you notice the sensitive person has become upset or uncomfortable, explain that you did not mean to offend her, change the topic of conversation and, if necessary, separate yourself from the situation.

4. Choose mutual activities wisely. Recognizing that a person is overly sensitive allows you to use your discretion when choosing activities to do together. Opt for quiet, relaxing activities such as hiking, cooking or watching a movie. Avoid sports and games, which can cause people to get rowdy or aggressive.

5. Be romantic. If the sensitive person is your partner, small romantic gestures will appeal to her emotional character and reassure her that you care about her feelings. Although this does not necessarily make your partner less sensitive, it does make her less likely to react defensively in every instance where she feels hurt or offended.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid accusing the person of being overly sensitive. Many highly sensitive people do not see themselves as such and will think you are being dismissive of their feelings.

References

• 2KnowMyself; Dealing With an Over Sensitive Person or Partner; M. Farouk Radwan
• "201 Ways to Deal With Difficult People"; Alan Axelrod, et al.; 1997
• Think Simple Now: Dealing With Difficult People