Pankaj Tripathi's 'Perfect Family' Trailer Spotlights The Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Trait: What It Is And How It Shapes Lives

Pankaj Tripathi has already proved himself as an actor. He has impressed fans with his versatility and finesse, time and again. Now, he is all set to don the hat of a producer. The trailer of his maiden production venture, Perfect Family – a web series – has recently been released. It gives us a glimpse into a modern Indian household, where emotions and complexities are at its peak. The series stars Neha Dhupia, Seema Pahwa, Manoj Pahwa, Girija Oak, and Gulshan Devaiah. It will start streaming on YouTube from November 27.

What makes the series stand out is that it talks about highly sensitive person (HSP). The personality trait is not rare, but there’s a lack of awareness around it. Perfect family also deals with family therapy. This way, the show attempts to start a conversation around the mental health stigma that prevails in an Indian household.

To get a better understanding on what HSP is, we reached out to Dr Divya Shree KR, Consultant – Psychiatry, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. Read on.

What Is A ‘Highly Sensitive Person’ Personality Trait?

If you are not aware of HSP, we are here to enlighten you on this personality trait. “A highly sensitive person is someone whose brain and senses react more strongly to what is happening around them, and this makes them feel emotions more deeply, notice small details, and get easily affected by noise, crowded places, or strong feelings,” explains Dr Shree KR.

She adds, “They often think a lot before making decisions, get overwhelmed when too much is happening at once, and need more quiet time to relax. But their sensitivity also helps them understand others better, show more empathy, enjoy art and nature more deeply, and build meaningful connections because they pay close attention to emotions and experiences. This trait, thus, has its own strengths and challenges – simply put, it means HSP people process life more intensely than most people.”

Check out Perfect Family's trailer here:

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JAR Pictures (@jar_pictures)

Traits Of Highly Sensitive Person

On this note, the expert lists down traits of a highly sensitive person:

• Feeling emotions very deeply.
• Getting easily overwhelmed by loud sounds, bright lights, or crowded places.
• Noticing small details that others miss.
• Taking more time to make decisions.
• Thinking carefully before taking actions.
• Becoming stressed when too much is happening at once.
• Needing quiet time to recharge.
• Reacting strongly to other people’s moods.
• Feeling hurt easily by criticism or harsh words.
• Getting affected quickly by changes in the environment.
• Having a rich inner world with strong imagination.
• Showing high empathy.
• Caring deeply about others.
• Feeling moved by art, music, or nature, and preferring calm, gentle surroundings, all of which simply show that they process everything more intensely than most people.

Also Read: How a Highly Sensitive Person can deal with Anxiety

What Causes High Sensitivity?

Now, if you are wondering what causes a person to develop this trait, our expert answers this for you too. “High sensitivity is caused by a mix of genetics, brain wiring, and early life experiences. It happens because some people are born with a nervous system that reacts more strongly to everything around them, making their brain process information deeply, respond quickly to emotions, and stay alert to small changes, says Dr Shree KR.

She adds, “Childhood experiences such as supportive or stressful environments can shape how this sensitivity shows up. Studies suggest that certain genes make the brain more aware of subtle details and more responsive to both positive and negative events; so this trait is not caused by weakness or trauma alone, but is a natural temperament that develops from a combination of biological factors and life experiences working together.”

Side Effects Of Highly Sensitive Person Trait

Living life as a highly sensitive person is not easy, as it comes with its own sets of cons. Dr Shree KR jots them down for us:

• Getting overwhelmed easily in noisy or busy places.
• Feeling stressed when too many things happen at once.
• Taking longer to recover from emotional hurt.
• Getting affected deeply by criticism.
• Feeling anxious in chaotic environments.
• Needing more rest than others.
• Struggling with sudden changes.
• Becoming drained quickly in social situations.

“Many HSPs also experience overthinking, difficulty setting boundaries, and feeling responsible for other people’s emotions, which can lead to burnout. Their strong awareness sometimes makes them worry more about small issues, and their deep feelings can become tiring. So, even though sensitivity has many strengths, the challenges mostly come from overstimulation and emotional overload,” explains the expert.

Are There Any Advantages Of HSP?

Not just cons, HSP has its pros too. “Yes, there are many advantages to being a highly sensitive person. They notice small details others overlook, understand emotions deeply, show strong empathy, form meaningful connections, and sense danger or problems early. They think carefully before making decisions, have rich creativity and imagination, appreciate art, music, and nature more intensely,” shares Dr Shree KR.

Adding to these, she says, “HSPs also offer thoughtful support to others, communicate with kindness, learn from experiences quickly, handle tasks that need focus and accuracy, and often bring calmness, compassion, and insight into relationships and workplaces. Their deep emotional understanding helps them become good listeners, caring partners, and intuitive problem-solvers, making sensitivity a strength that helps them connect with the world in a richer and more thoughtful way.”

Tips To Live And Deal With HSPs

Living with a highly sensitive person comes with its own baggage, which one needs to carry efficiently and with care. Dr Shree KR shares tips on how to deal with HSPs the right way:

• Give them patience, kindness and understanding.
• Speak with them gently, avoiding harsh criticism, and choosing calm, clear communication.
• Respect their need for quiet time and personal space when they feel overwhelmed, as it helps to create a peaceful environment.
• Reduce sudden loud noises or stressful situations.
• Allow them time to think before making decisions.
• Support them by listening without judging.
• Appreciate their feelings.
• Encourage healthy boundaries to make them feel safe.
• Notice when they are tired or overstimulated, as it allows you to offer them comfort, reassurance, or a break.

“So the best way to deal with an HSP is to be empathetic, gentle, and supportive of their deeper emotional and sensory needs,” concludes Dr Shree KR.

Also Read: How To Deal With Borderline Personality Disorder? Find Out Here

The Final Word

A highly sensitive person is not a condition, rather it is a personality trait. Their brain and senses react more strongly to what is happening around them. This makes them feel emotions more deeply, notice small details, and get easily affected by noise, crowded places, or strong feelings.