 If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your sensitivity to people and your environment, you might have heard the term highly-sensitive person. First studied by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aaron in 1996, highly-sensitive people have an inherent, biological, predisposition to process and perceive information on a much deeper level, but just because someone is sensitive and empathetic doesn't automatically make them an HSP. Admittedly, there are a lot of similarities that can sometimes make it difficult to tell an HSP apart from someone who's an emotional sponge. For example, both have a greater capacity for empathy and altruism, as well as a heightened sensitivity to their environments and those around them. With that said, here are five tell-tale signs that you might actually be an emotional sponge and not an HSP. You're the emotional caretaker. According to psychotherapist Amy Lowe, although both HSPs and emotional sponges are naturally sensitive and caring, the latter tends to have poorer boundaries because of how those around them constantly unload all of their problems and feelings on them, they aren't out and overwhelmed, they often feel like they have no choice but to be everybody's emotional caretaker. You have difficulty handling your own emotions. Always being bombarded by the emotions of others can make it difficult for you to attend to your own feelings. Oftentimes, emotional sponges feel lost without anyone else to take their cues from and tell them what they ought to think and feel. Their pent-up emotions can also make them volatile because of how used to bottling everything up they are. According to an article published by Certified Counselor Becky Stone, you feel drained by others but lost by yourself. According to a 2021 article for PsychCentral, written by health and wellness journalist Hilary Labau and licensed psychologist Dr. Kendra Kubala, absorbing other people's emotions can be so psychologically draining that it leaves you with little to no mental energy left to spend on yourself. It's kind of like being overstimulated all the time but feeling uncomfortable when you're not because it's unfamiliar to you. Negative nears severely affects you. Psychiatrist and psychology writer Dr. Judith Orloff explains that if empaths are around peace and love, their bodies assimilate these and flourish. Negativity, though, often feels assaultive and exhausting. This is why negative nears can affect emotional sponges so much more than HSPs, even if the nears doesn't have anything to do with them. In fact, even the slightest hint of conflict, confrontation, or rejection be enough to trigger anxiety in an emotional sponge. You have unexplained symptoms. Finally, according to psychologist Valeria Sabater, internalizing a lot of heavy emotions like tension, worry, sadness, and frustration can sometimes lead you to having unexplained symptoms caused by severe psychological exhaustion, such as fatigue, insomnia, unexplained aches and pains, headaches, and upset stomach, troubled breathing. Most empathetic and hypersensitive people process stimuli in their environment more intensely. Emotional sponges intensely absorb the negativity in their environment and somatize it. At some point, you're likely to end up suffering from compassion, fatigue, and even burnout. Do you relate to any of the signs we've mentioned? Do you think you might actually be an emotional sponge and not an HSB? While it's certainly admirable to want to be there for others, it's also essential that you take good care not to soak up other people's feelings all the time and end up neglecting your own. Taking on everyone else's emotional baggage can be terribly draining, so don't ever feel guilty for wanting to prioritize your own mental well-being when you need it. Are you looking for a cuddly companion that brings positivity and mental wellness to your daily life? Get your very own Psy. The lovable plushie is here to brighten your days. It embodies the spirit of Psych2Go, and it serves as a reminder to prioritize your mental well-being. Its green leaf symbolizes growth, renewal, and the importance of self-care, whether it's for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one. Psy is ready to be your snuggly friend through all of life's ups and downs. Buy your Psy plushie today. Link is listed in the description box.