Characteristic of Highly Sensitive Person
Some of those reading this article may identify as HSP, while others may not be familiar with the term. If you’ve ever felt curious about HSP and searched for experiences like “sensitive to loud noises” or “sensitive to bright lights,” you might have stumbled upon personal blogs, columns on mental health websites, or even articles discussing ‘Highly Sensitive Person/People.’
In my case, the search results felt almost like a revelation, as if the authors of those articles knew me intimately, describing various aspects of my nature. Discovering these insights about myself was shocking in multiple ways, yet ultimately, it was enlightening. So far, I’ve focused on various themes related to HSP, but in this post, I want to delve into the essence of being an HSP itself.
From empathizing with others to being deeply moved by the arts, there are individuals whose emotional sensors are tuned to a finer frequency. These folks are sometimes deemed overreactive or shy, but the truth is they might be Highly Sensitive Person or HSP, a trait and not a flaw. In a world that often values resilience and thick skin, it’s crucial to understand and celebrate sensitivity for what it truly is.
High sensitivity isn’t some mysterious malady that relegates you to the shadows under the stairs. It’s a personality trait, hardwired into the nervous system, predisposing one to a more heightened response to both external and internal stimuli. Simply put, it’s like living life with the volume dial turned up, for better or for worse. It’s innate, unchangeable, and at the heart of how an HSP processes the world.
What is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
A Highly Sensitive Person, coined by Dr. Elaine Aron, is someone who has increased sensitivity to emotional, physical, and social stimuli. Contrary to common belief, sensitivity isn’t just about being easily upset; it’s a complex way of processing sensory information that offers both unique strengths and challenges. Adjective-driven, HSP are often described as empathetic to a T, deeply contemplative, and with heightened aesthetic appreciation. Simultaneously, they also face difficulties in navigating overstimulating environments.
Characteristics of the HSP
What does high sensitivity look like in the wild? It’s a collection of telltale signs that paint a picture of someone who’s constantly attuned to the finer details of life, sometimes at the expense of their own well-being.
- Hyperawareness of physical sensations: They notice the flickering neon sign in the peripheral vision that everyone else blithely ignores.
- Intense emotional reactions: A heartfelt commercial isn’t just moving; it’s a full emotional workout.
- Overthinking and mental fatigue: The simplest decision is marred by the fear of all possible outcomes.
Sensory Sensitivity
HSP has a lower sensory threshold, so things that might go unnoticed by others can be overwhelming. Imagine your senses are not just windows to the world outside but are the world, with every sound, touch, and taste… a beam of light or needle. For those with physical sensitivity, this view is near reality. Loud noises aren’t merely disruptive; they are a jarring assault. Bright lights aren’t just glaring; they can be blinding.
- Hives or itchiness occur when shirts with tags or specific underwear are worn.
- Flickering fluorescent lights can be bothersome.
- Sirens, such as those from ambulances, become painful without covering the ears.
- Startling easily happens when suddenly spoken to.
It’s why simple, everyday activities — from grocery shopping under fluorescent lights to a coffee date in a bustling café — feel more like navigating a minefield than a casual errand. Physically sensitive individuals may find themselves retreating into quiet corners, labels turned off to avoid tactile distraction.
Emotional Responsive
Empathetic and with an acute ability to pick up on the mood of a room, HSP can be deeply affected by emotional experiences and require more time to ‘come down’ after an emotionally charged event.
It’s as if emotional bookends are missing, leaving you susceptible to waves of feeling that are both deeply moving and, at times, deeply disorienting. HSP often has an emotional bandwidth that stretches to cover other people’s emotions as well as their own. It’s empathy dialed up to an eleven, without the luxury of a mute button.
- A friend’s casual remark is something they ponder for days.
- Nature and pure elements, such as flowers, rainbows, animals, and children, evoke strong emotions.
- The death of even someone not very close is profoundly shocking.
- Expressing emotions, in reality, it’s challenging.
This means that encountering another person’s sorrow isn’t just a brief twinge of sadness; it’s a shared heartbreak. Happiness isn’t just a fleeting smile; it’s a contagious laughter reverberating throughout the soul.
Cognitive Sensitivity
Cognitively sensitive individuals live with the cacophony of thoughts and questions that come from a mind that’s constantly probing the deep ends of topics. Their minds are turning over thoughts and ideas with an intricacy that borders on obsession.
- Predicting every plot twist in a movie
- Pondering over the double meaning of simple word
- Making decisions and taking actions from another person’s perspective.
- Spending more time on planning than on execution.
This cognitive depth is both a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, it’s what makes them superb problem solvers, creative thinkers, and deep philosophers. On the not-so-bright side, it can lead to a state of analysis paralysis, where even the simplest decision feels like mapping the human genome.
Coping Strategies
Navigating a world designed for a more ‘average’ experience comes with emotionally challenging moments. The challenges faced by HSP is often misinterpreted by others, which can lead to isolation and frustration.
For an HSP, it’s about learning to harmonize with the environment rather than being drowned out by it. This means turning the volume down in some areas while cranking it up in others to maintain a healthy balance that allows them without burnout.
Create Your Safe Spaces
Self-care and stress management techniques: Regular quiet time, meditation, or simply taking a walk in natural surroundings can be soothing.
- Establishing healthy boundaries: It’s okay to say no to that overstimulating event or ask for quiet in a space that’s become too loud.
- Seeking support from understanding individuals: Building a network of people who ‘get it’ can provide a safe space to talk through challenges.
Conclusion
High sensitivity is a characteristic that adds a unique quality to the lives of those who possess it. It deserves to be understood, respected, and perhaps even celebrated. Each HSP is tasked with the delicate balance of drawing out the beautiful nuances of their inherent intensity without succumbing to its overwhelming.
Ultimately, embracing one’s high sensitivity involves creating a life that is uniquely yours, filled with moments of sweetness, bitterness, softness, and intensity. It’s about living proudly with the belief that the world needs delicate souls just as much as it needs robust ones — for the blending of the two creates the most profound and beautiful harmonies.
