Many people are emotionally sensitive. It's a positive trait if it means being thoughtful and sympathetic in relation to the feelings and sufferings of others.
The trouble is, some people get overly needy when they don't get the attention that they expected. They easily feel hurt, rejected or offended with remarks which they consider as criticisms. They get annoyed and upset when people break their personal rules.
It's a challenge when you have to be cautious in what you say or do with emotional people. It's easy to brush a person off if he is just an acquaintance. But having to live with one is a difficult task. Other than being supportive, you got to have patience when dealing with an emotionally vulnerable person.
Without them realizing it, super sensitive people have low self esteem. Before you can make her aware, you must develop a bond and trust in the relationship. Don't say what you don't mean and don't beat around the bush. It's easier to get your message across and influence her to improve her attitude when she trusts you.
Don't be so indifferent and try to ignore her. Become an attentive listener. Try to understand how she sees, thinks and feels. You will gain her respect and also understand her motives.
Offer her feedback on how her attitude and behavior have driven away her friends or family members. Tell her what would become of her children when they grow up because they look up at her for strength and as a role model and will emulate her behavior.
Don't instill more self hatred and try to reveal her weakness. She will become defensive. Subtly guide her to react accordingly to make her realize how her attitude has affected her relationship with other people.
Encourage her to listen and pause before reacting to situations or people. Let her understand why she's being touchy. Assist her in finding and seeing the positive.
Help her set a personal goal to improve one area of her life and to start it with managing her emotions. Tell her what she will gain when she succeeds and what it would make her feel if she remains the same.
Let her imagine being in someone else's shoes. Tell her to feel what others would feel when they are faced with a person who is so emotionally unstable and need constant approval. Make her see herself a changed person, someone who enjoys interacting with people and being a jovial person.
Try to make her understand that everybody has their point of views and it doesn't matter who is right. What's important for her to know is part of living is dealing with people and everyone needs each other.
Encourage her to talk about her strengths. Let her notice her accomplishments. She needs to realize that she is a capable person and don't have to compare herself to anyone.
"We also often add to our pain and suffering by being overly sensitive, over reacting to minor things, and sometimes taking things too personally." - Tenzin Gyatso
If you happen to have this personality trait, check the suggestions given above and work on yourself. Think of how it affects those people that you care. Recall how it has affected your life and relationship with people.
What do you think?
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