An Insensitive Sensitive

Was browsing the internet the other day and thought that these 22 signs fit Sherlock only too well. Came up with a short little story. Website info from liveboldandbloom . com.

Dr. John Watson hit the Post button, updating the latest entry on his blog. He and his flatmate Sherlock Holmes had just finished another case, and Sherlock had disappeared into his bedroom for his usual post-case coma. Served him right for starving and sleep-depriving himself throughout the duration of his cases. And now, it was time for John to indulge in his post-case activities after writing his blog: surfing the net.

Most of the time, he kept to medical websites to keep updated on new developments in medicine. But today, his mind was so spent that he really just wanted to wander some pointless sites until he got tired enough that he could head upstairs to sleep.

A couple boring websites grabbed his attention before a link inexplicably brought him to another. His eyes roamed over it as he prepared to search another one before a few choice words jumped out at him: "must have alone time" and "easily tell when someone is lying."

Intrigued, John headed back up to the top of the article and read the title: "Empath Traits: 22 Signs You Are a Highly Sensitive Person." John gave a chuckle, given who his insensitive flatmate was. Surprisingly, John read on.

"Number one: People point it out. You've been told all your life you are too sensitive, overly emotional, or wear your heart on your sleeve. People tell you that you pick up on cues or feelings they don't even notice."

John's mind niggled at him at that last sentence. It almost could have been describing Sherlock if it weren't for the fact that Sherlock acted more like a machine than an emotional teenager.

"Number two: You feel other's feelings. You've noticed how sensitive you are to the emotions of others. Even before they tell you how they are feeling, you already know. You can enter a room and have a sense of the general mood of the environment."

Again, almost Sherlock, but not quite.

"Number three: Negativity overwhelms you. When others can tolerate raised voices, conflict, or anger, it sends you over the edge. You almost feel physically sick or in pain as a result of the negative energy around you. You crave peace and calm."

John now gave a frown. It was true that Sherlock did tend to lash out at anyone being particularly rude to him. And his outbursts did tend to follow someone's negative emotions, however slight, even if they were usually rants about how stupid everyone was.

John shook himself, unable to believe that he was trying to attribute these empathic characteristics to Sherlock. He was about to switch websites when the next point caught his attention.

"Number four: Being in crowded places overwhelms you. You don't like being in malls, sporting events, airports or other public places with crowds of people. You feel suffocated and overly-excited. You can't wait to leave."

Now that definitely sounded like Sherlock. Could it be true? Was Sherlock an empath, able to feel other people's emotions? It would explain why Sherlock distanced himself from everyone and why he hated emotions and sentiment.

My God, what am I thinking? John thought, shaking himself out of this ridiculous idea yet again.

"Number five: Strong intuition. You seem to know things without being told. You sense what needs to be done or what's about to happen. Your gut feelings nearly always prove to be correct."

Okay, that was absolutely and completely Sherlock. Maybe it really was true. It wouldn't really explain Sherlock's mental skills, but his behavior…

"Number six: Pain intolerance. More than others you know, you have a lower threshold for pain tolerance. You can't stand getting shots, feeling nauseated, or dealing with a minor injury. You may even have had a doctor tell you to stop complaining so much."

While it was true that Sherlock sometimes ignored his body's needs, he did have a tendency to be a big baby. And John had told him more than once to stop complaining.

"Number seven: You must have alone time. You need time every day with no sensory input. You want to withdraw to your room or another quiet place to recharge."

Ah, the secret behind the mind palace. Sherlock disappeared into his own mind more times than John could count.

"Number eight: You avoid negative media images. You find it extremely disturbing to watch or read about tragic news events or see unpleasant images. It bothers you so much, you avoid looking at these images at all costs."

That didn't really sound like Sherlock. Then again, given Sherlock's job, maybe he forces himself to endure those bad images. He delves into his sociopath label in order to ignore them. Maybe that was why he didn't really watch much telly outside his cases.

"Number nine: You can easily tell when someone is lying. All you need to do is look at their faces or listen to their tone of voice, and you know instantly whether or not they are telling the truth."

That one was a given. Sherlock wouldn't be the world's only consulting detective if he couldn't tell when someone was lying.

"Number ten: You are more sensitive to stimulants/medications. Caffeine in particular makes you more anxious and agitated than the average person. You can never drink caffeine in the evening if you want to sleep. You often have reactions or side effects to medications."

Was that the secret behind Sherlock's drug days? Had he gone undercover or tried to experiment and gotten addicted easier than others would have? It would also explain Sherlock's reaction to the hallucinogenic they experienced in Baskerville. Sure, John had reacted badly to the drug, but Sherlock…With how Sherlock's emotions were usually kept in check, Sherlock's reaction to the drug had been in the extreme.

"Number eleven: You often show up with the symptoms of those around you. If someone close to you is sick or depressed, you will develop the same ailments."

Now this, John didn't really notice, but then again, a lot of people get sick at the same time, and he never really paid attention close enough to notice any of that. Maybe he would have to start paying attention.

"Number twelve: You frequently have lower back and digestive problems. These are the result of dealing with negative and stressful situations and people. Your feelings show up as these physical symptoms."

No wonder Sherlock didn't eat much.

"Number thirteen: You are the dumping ground for the problems of others. People around you seem to gravitate toward you and unload all of their pain and problems on you. Because you are an empath, you feel compelled to help, even to your own detriment."

John had never known anyone to tell Sherlock their problems. In fact, most everyone knew that Sherlock was likely to be the cause of their problems, and they steered clear. Another reason for Sherlock's behavior towards people; he pushes them away so they won't unload on him.

"Number fourteen: You often feel fatigued. Because others take so much from you, you often feel drained of energy and extremely tired. You might even have chronic fatigue syndrome."

John knew for a fact that Sherlock didn't suffer at all from fatigue. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

Nicotine patches, John thought.

Was that why Sherlock used so many nicotine patches? To keep himself from growing fatigued?

"Number fifteen: You have a very vibrant inner life. You are highly creative, imaginative, and loving—"

Ha! Loving! John thought.

"You may be involved in the arts or other creative pursuits. You feel close to animals and especially enjoy your relationship with your pets."

Sherlock did play the violin. And he had spoken of his childhood dog Redbeard fondly. And John had to admit that Sherlock did indeed have a vibrant personality.

"Number sixteen: You are sensitive to sounds and sensory feelings. Loud noises or sudden dramatic movements startle you. You also feel overwhelmed by bright lights, rough fabrics, and strong smells. You also notice very delicate smells, touch, and sounds."

Ah, Sherlock's love of designer suits. John always believed Sherlock just had a sophisticated taste—and that may be a big part of it—but it was possible that Sherlock also bought designer clothes so that he could be comfortable in his own skin.

And this also explained how Sherlock was able to draw clues from apparently thin air. He was sensitive to smells, touch and sounds. Of course, he would be able to pick up clues easier than a bloodhound.

"Number seventeen: You don't like too many things at once. When you have to multi-task or have too much coming at you at once, you feel rattled and overwhelmed."

That triggered something in John's memory, the memory of the first day he had spent at Baker Street.

Sherlock paced in the living room as Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade and his team searched for drugs. John stood at the door with their landlady Mrs. Hudson.

Sherlock suddenly stopped with his back to the door and shouted furiously. "Shut up, everybody! Shut up! Don't move, don't speak, don't breathe! I'm trying to think. Anderson, face the other way. You're putting me off."

"What?" said Dr. Phillip Anderson. "My face is?"

"Everybody, quiet and still," said Lestrade. "Anderson, turn your back."

"Oh, for God's sake!" exclaimed Anderson.

"Your back, now, please!" said Lestrade sternly.

"Come on, think," Sherlock told himself. "Quick!"

"What about your taxi?" asked Mrs. Hudson.

Sherlock turned to her and shouted furiously. "MRS. HUDSON!"

Sherlock had been able to think properly with all the chaos and sensory input in the room. He had needed to trim things down to concentrate.

"Number eighteen: You manage your environment. You create your living and working environment to accommodate your sensitivities. You arrange your schedule and commitments to avoid unpleasant, chaotic, or overly stimulating situations."

Well, Sherlock did love to manage…everything. And he certainly did arrange schedules; maybe not his own, but he did love to interrupt John's plans. And if any living environment was an extension of Sherlock, it was Baker Street.

"Number nineteen: You don't like narcissists."

Now that was ironic. Sherlock was a narcissist.

"You are particularly bothered by people who put themselves first all the time and aren't sensitive to the feelings of others. You may even believe there's something wrong with you or that you have some kind of emotional disorder."

John stared at the screen, his mind reeling.

"I'm not a psychopath, Anderson. I'm a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research."

That was the reason behind Sherlock's label as a sociopath. Did he really believe there was something wrong with him? John would just have to convince him otherwise.

"Number twenty: You can almost feel the days of the week. Each day of the weeks has a specific 'feel' to it. You notice when a Wednesday feels like a Saturday. You feel particularly heavy at the start of the work week. Even months and seasons have a particular feel."

John would have no way to knowing this one. Next!

"Number twenty-one: You are a great listener."

John almost laughed out loud at that one. Now, this he had to see.

"People tell you this all the time. You listen consciously and know the right questions and comments to draw people out and make them feel heard."

Well, not everyone was perfect. Twenty-one out of twenty-two wasn't bad.

"Number twenty-two: You get bored easily."

Oh, now, didn't this one fit to a tee!

"As an empathy, you need to focus on work and activities that stimulate your creativity and passion. If you get bored, you resort to daydreaming, doodling, etc."

Shooting the walls… John thought.

"However, you are still very conscientious and try hard to avoid making mistakes."

It was true; Sherlock didn't really make mistakes and when he did, he overworked himself to make it right.

So, was this really true? Was Sherlock an empath? It wasn't that hard to imagine; he had heard of stranger things before. Then again, Sherlock did love to point out that John jumped to conclusions. Well, he would just have to be sure, then, wouldn't he?

Operation Empath had begun.