For more on this personality trait, see the Highly Sensitive site.
Many interviewers and writers over the years have described actor Kristen Stewart as “cautious” and “shy.” At least one news story refers to her as a “Self-proclaimed introvert.” By the way, I am not presuming Kristen Stewart is shy, introverted or highly sensitive, and I don’t know her personally. But just from my gut reaction [...]
Cheryl Richardson relates an example of her own sensitivity: “Last night I went to see a movie with a group of friends. “I’d heard wonderful things about the story from people whose opinion I respect, and I was so looking forward to enjoying the film. “However, within twenty minutes of watching, I made a decision [...]
In an interview, Keira Knightley declared she was never interested in playing “girl” roles. “This is a ridiculous thing to say,” she admits, “but I never liked being a teenager. I never felt comfortable being in a group of giggly girls. I always felt embarrassed and frightened by it. “I couldn’t quite handle the high [...]
I don’t have any particular psychic ability, but am fascinated by it, and appreciate the more sympathetic depictions in movies such as “Hereafter” directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Cécile De France and Matt Damon as a professional psychic. It’s a word that has a wide range of associations, including some pretty negative or dismissive ones. [...]
His film “The Tree of Life” just won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, but director Terrence Malick chose not to appear in person to accept it. Shyness is one of a number of personal qualities that Malick shares with many other creative and gifted people. In a recent profile article, writer Steven [...]
“It was almost like I needed to have a day job, because this [acting] was too much fun. “But I was a highly sensitive child, and the last thing my parents wanted was for their child to go in and get hurt… “Most actors are highly sensitive people, but you have this incredible scrutiny. You [...]
Winona Ryder: “I was lucky in the sense that my success was gradual. But then there was a point when there was so much attention, and you get surrounded with people who sort of make you feel like you have to do everything… “It’s really tough to suddenly be very famous. I think you get [...]
In a recent Marie Clare article, Are You Too Sensitive?, Helen Kirwan-Taylor discusses her process of self-discovery related to her own highly sensitive personality. Once upon a time, HSPs might have been written off as shy or even neurotic, but Aron [Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person] believes these labels are demeaning and inaccurate. [...]
As one of the characters in the movie “Hereafter,” Matt Damon portrays an intuitve, someone who seems to be able to communicate with dead people. One of the other characters impacted by those abilities is Marie, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, who revealed in a recent news story her own psychic experiences. She knew early [...]
Many talented artists share traits such as perfectionism and a need to “get it right” – and also high sensitivity, which can make fame and attention very stressful, even overwhelming. See the post Kristen Stewart and shyness and sensitivity for one example. In her article Jesse Eisenberg on playing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in ‘The [...]
Being shy may not be uncommon for children, but when it endures for us as teens and adults, shyness impedes the kinds of social connections that can enhance our talents and creative expression. Research is helping explain shyness in terms of brain physiology, particularly involving the amygdala (technically amygdalae) – a pair of structures in [...]
By Cat Robson What are some of the considerations that lead sensitive and gifted adults to take psychiatric medications? What are some of the reasons people stop taking medications?? What are the alternatives? My inner life, and sometimes my outer life, is painful/chaotic/confusing. The DSM symptoms list for certain mental illnesses seem to fit me [...]
What makes creative and highly sensitive people accept, and even welcome, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder or other mental illness? Are psychiatrists equipped to recognize and support creativity, high sensitivity and giftedness? Who determines where creative intensity ends and mental illness begins? Do medications put our creativity and sensitivity at risk? Over a year and [...]
“I think being different, being against the grain of society, is the greatest thing in the world.” That’s actor Elijah Wood (“Lord of the Rings”), quoted in my post Exceptional and out of bounds – eccentrics and society. Being unusual and eccentric may be easier for some people. It may not be so easy for [...]
“I’m an only child and I’m just a real loner kind of person, and yeah, kinda dark. But I’m happy. Not sad. I’m just shy and nervous… I was a loner in high school. I keep to myself, but I love life.” Actor Clea DuVall One of the qualities of many actors, musicians and other [...]
There can be many challenges for people who are highly sensitive, including reactions from others (“Why are you so touchy?”), feeling “wrong” and with lower self-esteem in a culture that is so extroverted and high-speed, and being more vulnerable to stress (see my post Sensitive to anxiety). But there are also many strengths and values, [...]
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Site author: Douglas Eby, M.A./Psychology, is a writer and researcher on the psychology of creative expression and personal growth, especially for high ability adults. He is publisher of the Talent Development Resources series of sites.
