HSP's (highly sensitive person)
- lxrynwxtring
- Aug 5, 2022
- 4 min read
8/5/22
hello cherubs!
today we are going to be learning all about the Highly Sensitive Person or HSP.
have you ever heard of a highly sensitive person?
up until recently, I didn't know what an HSP was. my therapist told me that I fit the description of a Highly Sensitive Person. of course, I had never heard of that before, so I agree and say "yes I most definitely am highly sensitive." but she shook her head and said "it's not what you think it is."
a highly sensitive person is "someone who is thought to have an increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli."
but what does that mean? typically, highly sensitive people are negatively viewed as being too sensitive or over thinkers. but truthfully, HSPs are more aware of their environment and brings more strengths than you would think.
it is important to remember that there is no proper diagnosis of HSP. if you think that you identify as an HSP, this does not mean you have a mental illness.
according to verywellmind.com, these are the common characteristics of highly sensitive people:
avoiding violet movies or tv shows
being deeply moved by beauty
being overwhelmed by sensory stimuli
feeling a need for downtime
having a rich and complex inner life
if you think you are the only person that deals with high sensitivity, that is far from the truth. about 20% of the general population is highly sensitive.
you might be thinking, what cause me to be highly sensitive?
there can be many causes but the most typical are:
an evolutionary trait that increases likelihood of survival, which also leads to anxiety
lack of parental warmth in childhood or negative childhood experiences
genetics, HSPs can be hereditary
being highly sensitive can be similar, yet slightly different than the following conditions:
introversion
sensory processing disorder
autism
ADHD
ways that being an HSP can affect your daily life:
you might avoid situations that leave you feeling overwhelmed
you might be highly touched by beauty or emotionality
you may have close relationships with others
you may be grateful for the life you have
the best benefit of HSPs is the ability to be empathetic. empathy helps us to live a deeply emotional life and strong relationships.
just like with anything, being a highly sensitive person has its pitfalls. things that would normally not bother most people will leave HSPs questioning for days or weeks.
pitfalls can include, but are not limited to:
hectic schedules can cause HSPs to become overwhelmed with do so much in such little time.
the expectation of others is something that HSPs are always aware of. they hate saying no and letting people down. often times, HSPs are their own worst critics.
more prone to being stressed by conflict. can lead to misinterpreting unrelated signals as anger.
can be more prone to stress of social comparison. they carry others feelings as well as their own.
the things that we deal with daily that aren't entirely necessary can be called tolerations. distractions can be more stressful for HSPs. and HSPs are more startled by surprises because they aren't apart of daily life or what they expect. daily stressors can lead to frustration for HSPs.
and lastly, HSPs are more prone to rumination and self-doubt. when embarrassed, they linger with that feeling. they don't like being watched, and are often times perfectionists.
the term "highly sensitive person" was coined by Elaine Aron, American Psychologist and author of the book titled "The Highly Sensitive Person."
do these questions define you?
Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
Do you need to withdraw during busy days, into bed or a darkened room or some other place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation?
Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
if so, you might be a HSP. check out her website to take the test yourself:
as a professional, Aron would like you to know:
your trait is normal
it is innate
you are more aware than others of subtleties
you are also more easily overwhelmed
your trait is not a new discovery, but it has been misunderstood
sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures
being highly sensitive isn't a bad thing. take it from me, I am still learning to be okay with it. being hyperaware and sensitive simply means that you are paying attention. it's easy to not let things bother you, but when you let things run their course and feel whatever emotions going along with it, it's healthy.
we are all apart of this society that thinks we have to be tough and harsh. but that isn't true. that is one of the reasons I named this mental health blog, brave but soft. we can be soft and gentle with ourselves and still be brave and worthy.
please share this post with someone you think it could help!!
I'll see you guys in the next one(:
xx Loryn
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