Have you been called shy, withdrawn, sensitive, non-social?

"The reason for these negative misnomers and general lack of research on the subject is that in this culture being tough and outgoing is the preferred or ideal personality--not high sensitivity. (Therefore in the past the research focus has been on sensitivity's potential negative impact on sociability and boldness, not the phenomenon itself or its purpose.) This cultural bias affects HSPs (highly sensitive people) as much as their trait affects them, as I am sure you realize. Even those who loved you probably told you, "don't be so sensitive," making you feel abnormal when in fact you could do nothing about it and it is not abnormal at all."

If you feel your are sensitive or shy and just don't fit in then you should go to this link. (not a plug)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0553062182/ref=sib_dp_pop_fc?ie=UTF8&p=S001#

and take this test:

http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm

Ya know emotionally sensitive and shy are NOT one in the same animal - some people who are out going and talkative are emotionally sensitive while some who do not say much are not necessarily overly emotionally sensitive.

My mother is considered quiet however she is not emotionally sensitive while I have a very talkative daughter who is really emotionally sensitive

So we're talking about the differences between personality and a "disorder"?

I'll agree that over-sensitivity can exist in both extra & introverted personalities.