They tend to notice more subtle stimuli in their environment and are more easily aroused by this. In addition, they also respond to a lower threshold of stimuli. HSPs may, for instance, be more sensitive to pain, hunger, lights, and noises. They are also defined as having a complex and deeper inner life.
If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP), you probably haven't had many good experiences with anger. Not only because of your own strong emotions, but because you feel the emotions of other people. If you hurt someone, you feel their pain, too, and you'll find it hard to ignore this.
Because HSPs' brains are wired differently, the way they process information and come to a decision is different from people who don't have high SPS. They take more time making decisions, and can feel overwhelmed when asked to make a particularly tough one.
HSP can spend a lot of time thinking, analysing and reflecting on situations. Their overactive mind means they can be prone to emotional overwhelm and burnout. If left unchecked those who are highly sensitive are more likely to experience periods of extreme anxiety, stress, guilt or even shame.
Sights, sounds, smells, and other forms of sensory input may cause a heightened experience for HSPs. A sound that is barely perceptible to most people may be very noticeable, and possibly even painful, to an HSP. There's more to being a highly sensitive person than just being sensitive to stimuli.
Most highly sensitive people display rare strengths in key areas of emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient (EQ) — the ability to recognize and understand emotions in themselves and others. These strengths including self-awareness and social-awareness.
HSPs are typically highly intelligent, and seek out opportunities to do deep work. Many HSPs are academics, artists, researchers, scientists and technicians with high level proficiency.
Sensitive people have a higher likelihood of having low self-esteem. As a highly sensitive person, you may have learned to hide the depth of your emotions or your propensity to become overwhelmed. You may be trying to be “normal” or fit in with “risk-takers,” a temperament trait highly prized in our society.
Being an HSP comes with both advantages and challenges. It is possible to be too easily offended by people who mean no harm or who are trying their best to be kind.
Encourage Your HSPs to Take Action
For example, if they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, you could suggest that they spend a few minutes alone and takes some deep breaths. You might also encourage them to take solo walks during their lunch break, and to listen to soothing music with earphones.
Bjelland noted a belief that all empaths are HSPs, but not all HSPs are empaths. Dr. Orloff said that an empath indeed carries all of the attributes of an HSP but with more developed intuition and a sponge-like ability for absorbing emotions.
Two of the traits that align with high sensitivity – Intuitive and Feeling – are indicative of the Diplomat Role. Of the four Diplomat personality types, Introverted Advocates (INFJs) and Mediators (INFPs) may be among the most likely to have HSP qualities.
They're more empathic: Sensitive in general, HSPs are particularly perceptive to emotions. They feel emotions more acutely, both for themselves and on the behalf of others, and notice more emotional subtleties. Not surprisingly, they are more attentive and show more concern for others.
Since highly sensitive people feel things more deeply than most, their feelings often get hurt more quickly than others'. HSPs thrive in relationships where they feel seen, heard, and valued. When a partner validates an HSP's words and feelings — and without judgment or condescension — it's very gratifying.
The truth is, friendships are not about quantity: they're about quality. An HSP can be fulfilled in their relationships even if they have only a few close friends, so long as those friends are a good match for the HSP's unique needs. An ideal friendship for an HSP is a truly meaningful one.
Jealousy.
As an HSP, you have to evaluate the situation rationally. This might mean talking it over with a support group—such as a mastermind group—or thinking about things objectively. Get to the cause of why the jealousy is in your mind and deal with it before it festers.
Depth of processing: HSPs are deep thinkers. Over-arousal : HSPs are prone to anxiety and overwhelm due to deep processing. Empathy: HSPs have a huge capacity for empathy; they feel emotion deeply. Sensory specific sensitivity: HSPs tend to be sensitive to smells, bright lights, loud sounds, tastes, and tactility.
Empathy. “Sensitive people have empathy in spades, so much so that the difference can be seen in brain scans,” write the authors. This means sensitive people tend to “feel for others” more than less sensitive people, which can encourage them to be more compassionate and take action in the face of suffering.
Seeing the world through another person's eyes is central to the experience of being a highly sensitive person (HSP). There is now a documented, replicable fMRI study showing that HSPs demonstrate stronger empathy than do others in tests involving reactions to images.
HSPs are more sensitive to other traumatizing experiences. With HSP and Trauma such things as: Experiencing or witnessing actual or threatened death or serious injury. Threat to the physical integrity of self or others (such as physical or sexual abuse)
Dont respond immediately
As best you can, resist the urge to respond right away. Take a step back from the situation and think about how youre going to process it. Wait until youre in a calmer, clearer space before you say anything.
Aron, the trait of high sensitivity, found in 20-30% of the population is likely to have nothing to do with a child/person on the autistic spectrum.