Another trait of people who are very lonely is that they're highly sensitive. Their loneliness makes them especially attuned to feeling criticized, whether that criticism is based in reality or imagined. Having a heightened level of sensitivity makes certain aspects of life feel challenging because it can make people's emotions feel overwhelming. Licensed clinical psychologist Amy Morin noted that highly sensitive people process sensory data more deeply than others. She explained that highly sensitive people easily recognize other people's discomfort, which makes them very empathic friends. They also need time to recharge after social interactions and tend to retreat from other people when they feel overwhelmed.

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