Highly sensitive people are not more prone to loneliness than anyone else, though we may experience it in a more profound way. Everyone has some degree of loneliness, and it can manifest in many different ways.

Although highly sensitive people often have social anxiety and may socialize less than average, there are many people who can feel lonely in the middle of a crowd. In other words, a sense of isolation is not always just the result of limited social contact. Many other factors, such as emotional withdrawal, lack of trust, or just not being able to make adequate connections, can cause feelings of loneliness and isolation. Thus, not only is it important for us to reach out to others, but also to do it in a way that feels comfortable. When we feel “safe”, we are able to make much more meaningful connections. (more…)