The Evolution of Sensitivity: A Lifelong Journey

In childhood, a person is like a petal—fragile and impressionable, where every act of rudeness or careless display of emotion leaves a deep mark. This period becomes the foundation for the development of future vulnerability, as first encounters—especially a mother’s attitude—can set the tone for one’s later perception of the world. As one grows older, the individual faces intense inner contradictions: the drive for independence paired with a sense of vulnerability, where even minor stresses and conflicts can trigger recurring emotional breakdowns.

Maturity offers a chance to heal childhood wounds, allowing the construction of a more balanced sense of self despite past experiences. However, constant exposure to external stressors can heighten sensitivity, turning temporary disruptions into lasting emotional vulnerability. This complex and multifaceted process is a crucial stage that unites the biological, social, and psychological aspects of human existence.

Ultimately, the life journey becomes a dynamic artifact, where every stage—from initial childhood vulnerability to mature wisdom—is filled with both challenges and opportunities for self-transformation. The drive to learn from experience and adapt to change turns each trial into a step toward personal growth and inner balance.

How does a person’s vulnerability change over time, and what factors influence it?

Human vulnerability does not remain static throughout life; it undergoes a complex evolution shaped by myriad internal and external factors. In early life, during childhood, the individual is characterized by great fragility and sensitivity. In this period, even the slightest negative impact—a harsh tone, a shout, or even minor displays of carelessness—can leave a deep imprint that, even if the child soon forgets the pain, continues to affect their psyche. This is reflected in the following quote:

"The child's personality is very fragile and requires careful and gentle attention, otherwise it can easily bend under the influence of external forces, become warped, halt its development, and acquire traits of perversion. … Yet deep within, all the unspoken, unexpressed grievances accumulate—and they live there a dark life, waiting for their moment to emerge and be expressed." (source: 1348_6739.txt)

At an early age, a child is barely capable of understanding the emotional processes occurring within themselves, so negative experiences are felt particularly painfully—rendering them extremely vulnerable. The influence of early interactions, especially the mother’s attitude (whether tender or, conversely, harsh), also plays a significant role in shaping later vulnerability. As noted:

"If it is true that a child hears the mother's voice even before birth, then it follows that a harsh tone, a shout, a scandal wounds him, and the sorrow he hears in his mother's voice traumatizes him. He is born hurt, wary, unkind." (source: 1345_6720.txt)

Over time, as one matures, the impact of these early experiences may either fade or, conversely, lead to the solidification of hypersensitive traits. During adolescence, when the personality is actively forming, an intense inner conflict often emerges: on one side, the desire for complete self-affirmation and independence, and on the other, feelings of vulnerability and distrust—which can result in either ruthlessness or excessive sensitivity. During this period, an individual actively seeks support in external authorities and their own inner resources, as reflected in the description of life stages:

"Stages in a person's life... the child lives on love and the presence of close ones, ... the adolescent lives on generosity, utopias, and hope; the adult is characterized by being aware of what is happening... And finally, the elderly find themselves again in that phase characterized by trust; this is also a time of wisdom." (source: 1088_5437.txt)

Thus, in mature age, one often attempts to integrate and process accumulated wounds. However, if these wounds were not properly addressed in early life, their negative influence can suddenly resurface as recurring emotional breakdowns or painful reactions to others’ suffering. This is corroborated by a description of a state in which an excessively sensitive person faces chronic episodes due to an inability to cope with external stress:

"His inner world is disrupted by extreme vulnerability, sensitivity, ultimately leading to recurring episodes, but in this alien environment ... his vulnerability, hypersensitivity to the suffering of others and to the injustice of the surrounding life, condemns him to suffering." (source: 1457_7282.txt)

Furthermore, external factors such as continuous stress, nervous shocks, conflicts, and prolonged psycho-emotional strain also influence the formation of vulnerability. Over time, these not only intensify sensitivity but may lead to functional changes—and with their chronic occurrence, even organic, irreversible alterations. As stated in the following excerpt:

"Stress, nervous shocks, conflicts, and prolonged psycho-emotional strain are the main causes of dysfunctions and ill health in all the aforementioned examples. Initially, these changes are functional in nature, but with continuous and frequent repetition, they may become organic and irreversible." (source: 1710_8547.txt)

Thus, it can be concluded that human sensitivity evolves throughout life. In childhood, it is especially acute and susceptible to first negative experiences; in adolescence, it is accompanied by internal conflicts; and in adulthood, a person can learn to regulate their emotional responses, although deep psychological wounds from early years often continue to impact their perception of the world. In the process of aging and life crises, a complex interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors emerges that affects sensitivity, rendering it mutable and subject both to the internal nature of the personality and external circumstances.