Why am I so sensitive? 5 ways your biology makes it hard to control your emotions
Life can feel overwhelming. One minute you’re on top of the world and the next you are feeling an array of emotions. Sad, angry, anxious, or maybe you’re just being too sensitive? I’m sure you’ve heard that phrase before, “You’re just being sensitive”. The truth is that might not be the case. Each of us experience and respond to emotions differently. In fact, your biology could be the very thing that is causing your over-sensitivity.
Emotionally sensitive people are known to experience intense emotions regularly and for longer periods of time. Some reasons for this could be stress, trauma, underlying health conditions, hormones, genetics and lack of sleep. Being emotionally sensitive could also be a symptom of a mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or a personality disorder like Borderline Personality Disorder.
In order to understand why this is the case, you must look at the Biosocial Theory of social work. The biosocial approach conceptualizes the biological and social structuring of everyone’s life. Basically, your social, cultural, economic, and biological makeup help determine your well-being. Let’s take a look at 5 ways your biology makes it hard to control your emotions.
Your Brain Structure
Did you know that your emotions arise from a part of your brain called the amygdala? This is where your brain processes an event and emotionally responds. Typically, those who have experienced traumatic events, especially at a younger age, have a more difficult time processing emotions. Think about it, if you have ever lived in a state of constant fear, this becomes a normal part of your life and your brain loses its ability to detect the proper emotions. Therefore, you may be sensitive. This is your biological structure.
Your Environment
Now think about how you grew up. Where are you now? Your environment can play a big role in how you control your emotions. Maybe life has been difficult for you and because of this you feel everything more deeply. That is okay! Talking with a therapist can help you work through trauma and environmental factors that have made you feel as though you are overly sensitive.
Your Social Networks
The people you surround yourself with determine how you regulate emotions. Do you find yourself being encouraged by your friends and family? Maybe you don’t. Maybe you feel as though you’re always competing with others. Maybe you're seeking constant reassurance. It might mean it’s time to evaluate your social networks because surrounding yourself with people who cause stressors can make you overly sensitive.
Your Behaviors
From a young age everyone begins learning behavioral skills. When there is a disconnect between your emotions and behaviors, you tend to respond negatively. You might overreact to situations. It might be hard for you to experience a situation, consciously or unconsciously process it, and then act on it. You have to ground yourself in order to behave appropriately, especially in situations where you deal with difficult emotions.
Your Life Experiences
Once again, I’d like you to take a minute and reflect. What experiences have you faced that impact your daily life? While some may have a positive experience come to mind, others may be thinking of a not so happy time in their life. This helps explain why your biology can make it hard to control your emotions. The reality is that everyone comes from many diverse backgrounds, where they have experienced life in many different ways. Of course everyone is going to control their emotions differently, and sometimes it may seem as though you’re just sensitive but that is not the case. Your biosocial makeup contributes to your emotional sensitivity.
All that talk about emotions. How are you feeling? I hope you can be encouraged by the fact that being sensitive does not have to be a negative thing. It means you have experienced life in your own way which has caused you to deal with your emotions differently. In fact, a therapist can help you channel that “sensitive” energy into a more positive outlet. Maybe being sensitive can allow you to feel more empathy towards others instead of turmoil. You could use your sensitivity to become more self-aware. Or how about channeling your sensitivity into a place of gratitude instead, because I am sure that despite those hard days, there is something you can be grateful for.
Believe me, you’re not alone, many people wonder “Why am I so sensitive?”. Just remember that your sensitivity could come as a result of your biology. When you’re dealing with life's ups and downs and your sensitivity feels overwhelming, talk to someone. Being emotional, means being a normal human. Anyone can get better at regulating their emotions, including those of you who feel sensitive.
At Tamarasa Therapy, our therapists can empower and support you while you are overcoming hardships. Attunement and coaching on coping skills can help you understand how to regulate your emotions. Everyone deals with emotions and a therapist can help you navigate through.
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References
CDC. (2024). Managing Difficult Emotions. Emotional Well-Being. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-well-being/managing-difficult-emotions/index.html
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 11). Amygdala. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24894-amygdala
Ferguson, S. (2021, October 11). Why Am I So Sensitive? Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/health/why-am-i-so-sensitive#Benefits-of-being-a-highly-sensitive-person
Harris, K. M., & McDade, T. W. (2018). The biosocial approach to human development, behavior, and health across the life course. The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 4(4), 2–26. https://doi.org/10.7758/rsf.2018.4.4.01
Wall, K., Kalpakci, A., Hall, K., Crist, N., & Sharp, C. (2018). An evaluation of the construct of emotional sensitivity from the perspective of emotionally sensitive people. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-018-0091-y
