What’s a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
This post was originally published in November 2017 on an earlier iteration of my practice blog.
At first glance, the phrase “Highly Sensitive Person” can evoke some negative connotations. Unfortunately, the term “sensitive” is often used as a term to label, bully, and shame people.
This shame-based labeling is both harmful and inaccurate. We all have our own unique sensitivities, and some of us are more sensitive than others. However, I refuse to state that anyone is too sensitive. On the contrary, I would argue that sensitivity is a gift when we find it.
It’s with that preface that I’d like to discuss a trait coined by Dr. Elaine Aron as “Highly Sensitive Person,” or HSP.
Traits of a Highly Sensitive Person
Dr. Aron researched high sensitivity since 1991 and has produced many helpful self-help resources as a result of her research.
There are an array of presentations for HSPs, but there are a few key pieces of information regarding the trait that I’d like to highlight. These bullet points are pulled from the HSPerson.com homepage:
The HSP trait is normal
The HSP trait is innate
HSPs are more aware than others of subtleties
HSPs are more easily overwhelmed than others
The HSP trait is not a new discovery, but has been misunderstood
Sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures
How Common is the Highly Sensitive Trait?
According to Dr. Aron’s research, about 15-20 percent of the population meet criteria for the HSP trait. Anecdotally, many of my clients and therapist peers meet criteria for the highly sensitive person trait.
I find Dr. Aron's material helpful to name and normalize something that’s often misunderstood - particularly in Western culture - and to offer a sense of validation for the gift the trait provides.
Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?
If the idea of being perceptive and more easily overwhelmed than the average person resonates with you, I encourage you to start by taking the brief quiz available on the HSPerson website to find out more.
I invite you to visit Dr. Aron’s website on HSPs which includes an array of additional self-help resources and books. Find more of her HSP resources here.
Dr. Aron’s resources for HSPs are incredibly helpful on their own so I won’t attempt to reinvent the wheel here. My hope in writing this post is to simply shed light on the subject for those of you who embody the highly sensitive person trait or who know a loved one who may be highly sensitive.
Until next time, I hope you enjoy learning about this special gift and embracing it. Have a lovely day!
