PsychologyAugust 12, 2026

hypersensitivity

HY-per-sen-si-TIV-i-tee

Definition

An extreme or abnormally strong psychological or emotional reaction to stimuli, such as interpersonal rejection or minor criticism.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek prefix 'hyper-' (over) combined with the Latin 'sensitivitas' (capacity to feel). It entered English in the late 19th century to describe biological and psychological states of excessive reactivity.

In the news

In the context of Borderline Personality Disorder, the term describes an intense emotional volatility where individuals perceive environmental cues or social feedback with heightened, often painful, acuity.

Light My Fire in the Shadows: The High-Contrast Universe of BPD

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