Interpersonal Sensitivity and Nursing

Interpersonal sensitivity means being able to display appropriate behaviors and to perceive others accurately. However, if it is not used at an optimum level, it can cause problems in interpersonal relationships. High interpersonal sensitivity leads to feelings of inadequacy and humiliation, feeling unimportant and worthless and mistreated by others. It also leads to self-deprecation and over-monitoring of behaviors to reduce the risk of public rejection and criticism. When interpersonal sensitivity is very intense and makes the person become tender, it causes one to make mistakes when assessing and judging events and causes feelings of inadequacy in individuals. With increased interpersonal sensitivity, stereotyped thoughts are at the forefront. These thoughts lead to handicaps in performing roles and making decisions, difficulties in social relationships, disability in achieving goals, social withdrawal, and conflict. Becoming aware of cognitive distortions and stereotyped thoughts and displacing them with realistic ones can be helpful for keeping interpersonal sensitivity at an optimum level. Supporting self-esteem, focusing on individual successes, defining feasible goals, focusing on the strong personal characteristics, and providing effective use of social support systems are methods that can be used to decrease interpersonal sensitivity.