Highly Sensitive People (HSP) can "regulate" their strong emotions

I have noticed that when I am with a person that is aggressive, angry or sad, I have an intense personal emotional reaction that is directed inward.  In other words, I have internalized the intense emotion and it bounces around inside of me as if I am holding on to it.  It can be an uncomfortable experience if you aren't aware of what is happening and if you don't realize you can form a boundary by giving that emotion back to that person or blocking that emotion.  You may have instinctively developed your own toolchest of defenses that may or may not be effective in social situations.  One of my favorites is to withdraw and not expose myself to caustic people, but this isn't always an effective way to deal with a person's aggression or anger.  This is especially true in the workplace or in another social setting where withdrawal is either not desirable or even possible.  

Dr. Elaine Aron

Elaine Aron, M.A. in clincial psychology and Ph.D. in clinical depth psychology, has dedicated much of her life to the study of highly sensitive people.  Her Web site at www.hsperson.com includes back issues of her online newsletter that is packed full of valuable information for the HSP.  In her February 2013 Comfort Zone newsletter Dr. Aron details how to manage the intense emotions that may bombard you at unexpected moments.  The article is titled "A Few Suggestions for "Regulating" Fear, Grief, Anger and Joy".  Dr Aron intends to change her newsletter into a blog where readers can comment and interact with each other.  If you are an HSP this may be a blog of interest to follow.  Dr. Elaine Aron is the author of The Highly Sensitive Person and The Highly Sensitive Child, as well as The Highly Sensitive Person Workbook and The Highly Sensitive Person in Love, a book about how sensitivity affects our close relationships.  You will also find a self-test to determine if you are a HSP on Dr. Aron's Website.  Enjoy!!