Am I a Highly Sensitive Person?
When you were a kid, were you told that you were “too sensitive.” Although there is truly no such thing as being too sensitive, there is a scientific basis for those individuals who have a high level of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). The test to measure sensory sensitivity in the adult population is known as the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) and was developed by Elaine Aron, Ph.D. in 1996. Being a Highly Sensitive person is associated with specific gene variants as well as early childhood experiences. High sensory processing sensitivity correlates to approximately 15-20% of the population and may be linked to survival of the species.
Here are several examples of traits, statements and beliefs common to highly sensitive people:
o I can pick up on the emotions and feelings of others easily.
o I am often affected by the moods of others.
o I am affected by my environment such that noise, chaos, clutter or conflict may disturb my sense of well-being.
o I can become overwhelmed by images of violence.
o I feel the need to retreat or withdraw in order to process thoughts or feelings and decompress following a stressful day.
o I am a deep thinker and prone to overanalyze situations.
o My parents or teachers described me as a sensitive kid.
o My emotions sometimes take their toll physically in the form of fatigue, headaches, joint pain, GI upset, etc.
o I feel that my alone time is restorative and without it I feel frazzled.
o I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions and wonder if I am different.
o I am sensitive to criticism and go above and beyond not to make mistakes in order to avoid it at all costs.
Do many of the above statements resonate with you? If so, you may be highly sensitive. Being highly sensitive is often misunderstood and criticized in childhood. It is not a mental health disorder and in fact being an HSP can be advantageous when you become aware of how to process sensory input in a manner that works for you.
If you are an HSP, consider your self-care practices and working with a therapist who understands the unique way HSPs process the world around them.