The Overlooked Role of Sensitivity in Schizophrenia, Mental Health, and Trauma
Mental Health Series — Sensitivity Part 1
When most people hear the term “sensitivity,” they often think of how easily someone can be offended by comments or situations. This common understanding, known as emotional sensitivity, refers to how a person interprets and reacts to a situation. Emotional sensitivity is subjective and, to a large extent, within a person’s control — except in cases of trauma. However, this is not the type of sensitivity I am referring to.
Elaine Aron, a psychologist, introduced the concept of Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) in the 1990s, describing individuals who have a heightened sensitivity to external stimuli, deeper cognitive processing, and greater emotional reactivity. Aron’s research suggests that about 15–20% of the population possesses this trait, which is considered innate rather than a disorder. HSPs tend to be more easily overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, and chaotic environments, and they often need more downtime to recover from overstimulation. Aron emphasizes that while being highly sensitive can present challenges, it also comes with strengths, such as heightened empathy, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for subtleties in the world.
This is a documentary from Elaine Aron that covers the various aspects of being a Highly Sensitive Person.
In science, sensitivity is a well-known principle that applies to various fields. The greater the sensitivity of an instrument, the more information it can gather across a wider range, leading to increased knowledge and insight. For example, consider telescopes used in astronomy. A common backyard telescope allows us to see the surface of the moon or distant stars and planets. Larger ground-based observatories, often located on mountains, are equipped with powerful computers to process vast quantities of data, sometimes in the terabytes.
Beyond these, we have the Hubble Space Telescope, which captures even more light from farther away, unaffected by Earth’s atmosphere, and generates large amounts of data for analysis. The James Webb Space Telescope takes this a step further, with its segmented mirrors forming the largest telescope ever built, capable of observing the edge of the universe. Each of these telescopes, with increasing sensitivity, collects more data, requiring greater processing power to transform that data into meaningful research. For instance, while the Hubble generates 1–2 gigabytes (GB) of data daily, the James Webb generates approximately 57 GB each day, all of which must be transmitted back to Earth for processing.
This principle of sensitivity is not limited to telescopes. It applies to particle colliders, microscopes, and many other scientific instruments. The larger and more sensitive these devices are, the more detailed the information they can collect, leading to new discoveries — provided we have the necessary processing power to analyze the data.
Dr. Elaine Aron has developed a framework that describes a subset of people as Highly Sensitive. She defines four categories of sensitivity under the acronym “DOES”: “D” for Depth of Processing, “O” for Overarousability, “E” for Emotional Intensity or Empathy, and “S” for Sensory Sensitivity.
A vivid portrayal of the difference between normal and heightened sensitivity is seen in Hollywood’s depiction of General Zod in Superman. When exposed to the sun, his strength and senses are heightened, but when he removes his helmet, he is overwhelmed by the intensity of his enhanced senses — illustrating how increased sensitivity can be both powerful and overwhelming.
In the context of my series, sensitivity refers to a person’s ability to perceive subtle levels of input, with greater detail and heightened processing of that input. This includes the brain’s capacity to process larger amounts and a broader range of information, recognizing patterns that others may overlook. This depth of processing allows highly sensitive people to integrate sensory input more thoroughly with existing knowledge. However, the downside is that they may not sustain this level of processing for as long as those who are less sensitive, which can increase the risk of mental health issues. This heightened sensitivity is often found in great scientists, who use it to generate new theories and insights.
“After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well.”
— Albert Einstein
Actors and performers are another group that often displays high sensitivity and empathy. Acting requires the ability to detect and convey a wide range of emotions and nuances in their roles. This heightened sensitivity, while contributing to their exceptional performances, also predisposes them to mental health challenges, addiction, or even suicide, as seen in the tragic cases of Whitney Houston, Heath Ledger, and Robin Williams. Their heightened sensitivity makes them more vulnerable to mental health issues and more likely to self-medicate.
The concept of sensitivity is central to my theory of schizophrenia, and I will explore it further with real-world examples, including those of my sister and myself. Recognizing my own sensitivity has made me aware that both my sister and I fall on the high end of the sensitivity spectrum. In my view, she is further along this spectrum, likely due to her life experiences, birth circumstances, and perhaps a greater predisposition to the illness.
Understanding sensitivity has also illuminated my own sensory issues, which I previously did not recognize as part of being highly sensitive. It has made me aware that individual perceptions of the world can vary significantly in terms of sensitivity and detail. This variation contributes to why people may reach different conclusions when exposed to the same stimuli. Some people perceive more details — details that others may miss or be unaware of, either consciously or subconsciously.
