Situation · Yourself
“I'm too sensitive and cry at everything”
What could be going on
Sensory processing sensitivity (highly sensitive person): Deep processing and being easily overwhelmed fits; check reactions to noise and crowds.
Neuroticism: A temperament with intense negative emotion fits; check whether it's lifelong.
Emotional dysregulation: Fits if feelings rise fast and take long to settle.
Rejection sensitivity: Fits if tears come mostly with criticism or feeling left out.
Differential susceptibility (orchid and dandelion): Sensitive people do worse in harsh settings and better in good ones; check environment.
Stress response and allostatic load: Stress and tiredness lower the threshold for tears; check whether it's recent.
Questions to carry
- What had just been said or seen the last time I cried, and who was there?
- Who first told me I was too sensitive, and how do I feel about my tears now?
Also said as
- I'm overly emotional
- people say I'm too sensitive
- my son cries at the smallest things
- loud places overwhelm me
- I feel everything too much
- I cry easily