Highly sensitive children have special gifts, as well as unique challenges.  Children do not “become” highly sensitive, and there is not much we can do to help our children be less sensitive (other than tactics that would flatten their authenticity and create shame).
They experience emotional extremes; they have bigger reactions to sensory input, they are more prone to meltdowns, they are keenly tuned in to everyone and everything, they have a more intense need for control and can be rigid and inflexible, they are more fearful and cautious in new situations, they tend to have a lower tolerance for frustration, they are prone to perfectionism and have a very hard time losing, they have a hard time tolerating being corrected and they are more self-conscious and easily slighted.
15-20% of the population are born with the “highly sensitive” personality trait that comes with both amazing gifts and challenges; and it is truly dependent on the amount of support and acceptance that one receives whether a highly sensitive person will thrive or experience great difficulty.
For those families that think their child might be highly sensitive, it is important that they become educated on the temperament of highly sensitive kids and shift your parenting strategies accordingly. I did!

Anxiety can trigger depression and other behavioral physical and mental health issues. It is especially hard if you are dealing with other personal, work, relationship, or family-related issues. It is okay to ask for help.