do highly sensitive people deconstruct more often?

Recently, I watched a documentary called Sensitive—The Untold Story, and it stopped me in my tracks. It was like someone finally put words and science to things I’ve always felt but couldn’t quite explain. This film explores the trait of high sensitivity, a trait that 15–20% of the population is born with, and it got me wondering:

Are highly sensitive people more likely to deconstruct their religion?

From what I’ve observed—and experienced—the answer leans toward yes.

Highly sensitive people (HSPs), as described by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron, tend to process life deeply. They notice subtleties others miss, feel emotions more intensely, and are highly attuned to both their internal world and the pain of others. In the context of religion, this means they don’t just go through the motions or recite beliefs by rote. They feel them. They wrestle with them. They ask hard questions when something doesn’t align.

For many HSPs, religious systems can start to feel out of sync with their deep need for compassion, nuance, and authenticity. When they witness exclusion, shame, fear-based theology, or rigid rules that leave little room for mystery or empathy, it can cause a spiritual dissonance they can’t ignore.

And that’s where deconstruction often begins.

It’s not about rebellion or a desire to “go rogue.” It’s about integrity. HSPs crave internal and external alignment. If they’re evolving and their beliefs no longer match what they’re being taught, staying silent, or staying in, can feel like a betrayal of their own soul.

Deconstruction for the highly sensitive is not taken lightly. It’s often lonely. Painful. Exhausting. But it’s also beautiful. It’s rooted in love, truth, and the longing for something more expansive and life-giving.

I’ve noticed in my podcast, Honoring the Journey, that many of my guests are artistic and they process things on a deeper level. They aren’t afraid to ask questions, even if their religious tradition discourages it. Many were in worship or pastoral ministry of some kind and were fully committed to their faith. Their deconstruction journey began because many were looking for depth and connection with other humans that seemed difficult with such rigid belief systems. So when I saw this documentary on Prime, I did some digging and found my intuition in this could be true.

I’m not saying all HSPs deconstruct, but for many, the traits that make them sensitive also make them spiritually brave. They’re willing to sit in the tension. To ask the hard questions. To leave behind certainty in favor of something more real.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s not a weakness—but a sacred strength.