You can also be extremely sensitive if you have a keen sense of perception. The term “highly sensitive person” (HSP) was first used in the mid-1990s by psychologists Elaine Aron and Arthur Aron.
Although this is a form of neurodivergence, the term is not used in medicine. It is more a concept of a certain personality type than a mental illness. According to psychologist Chivonna Childs, PhD, “People who are highly sensitive are built more deeply, emotionally and mentally, than most people.” “It goes beyond just their feelings. It can also be sensitivity to sound and texture.”
Maybe you’re not a fan of bright lights or big crowds.” There are pros and cons to being an HSP. If you like the idea, learning more about it may allow you to maximize your natural qualities. [1] These are the traits of a highly sensitive individual.
1. High capacity for empathy
The deep emotional feeling that HSPs have is one of their most distinctive characteristics.
They are therefore sensitive to other people’s emotions. This facilitates a real connection between highly sensitive people and their surroundings.
However, if unchecked, this property can have a negative aspect. “HSPs can pick up on the needs of others, which can be a good thing because you want someone who is empathetic,” says Dr. Childs. However, empathy also has a negative side: compassion fatigue. What good is it if we are constantly aware of other people’s emotions and feelings? How does this benefit someone who is extremely sensitive?
2. Attention to detail
Sensitivity is not limited to feelings. A highly sensitive individual is also able to pick up on small things in their surroundings that others would miss. They can be more aware of little things that others might take for granted as a result, but they can also be easily overstimulated and overwhelmed.
“Those who are highly sensitive have a heightened sensitivity to emotional experiences and are more attuned to input from their environment, which includes anything that activates the five senses,” says Elizabeth Tulsky, clinical supervisor and associate director of youth and family services at Community counseling centers. of Chicago, as well as an associate therapist at Sage Therapy Chicago.
3. Slow decision making
HSPs can have trouble making decisions because they pay close attention to various details. Because HSPs try to consider all possible consequences, even decisions that seem straightforward can seem more difficult. However, once they decide what is the right thing to do, they are quick to repeat it. Until then, Aron advises people not to stress over indecision.
“Take as long as the situation allows for your decision, and ask for more time if you need it and can take it,” she says. “During this time, try pretending for a minute, an hour, a day, or even a week that you’ve made a decision a certain way. How does that feel? On the other side of the decision, things often appear differently, allowing you to imagine yourself there more clearly.”
4. Deep admiration for nature and art
However, deep emotions and keen observational skills have a remarkable benefit. They make people more receptive to art, nature, and all the wonderful things in life. A highly sensitive person may resonate with a piece of music more intensely than someone else. And they can pick up subtle flavors in food that others don’t notice.
They are often the ones who can sit in the woods and fall in love with all the sensations, beauty, and movement around them.
At the same time, scary or violent things like horror movies affect them negatively.
5. Rich inner life
Just as HSPs can enjoy external nuances, they can apply such attention to themselves. He doesn’t just feel emotions deeply; they like to observe, reflect and ponder.
In addition, they enjoy being alone with their thoughts to unpack and understand what is happening around them. “They like to process things on a deep level,” Ted Zeff, Ph.D., author of The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide. “They are very intuitive and go very deep inside to try to work things out.” Be careful, though, because this affinity can lead to overthinking, self-criticism, and self-doubt.
6. Tendency to anxiety or depression
Highly sensitive people do not automatically suffer from mental health problems. However, if they have suffered trauma, they may be more prone to developing symptoms of anxiety or depression. “If you’ve had a significant number of bad experiences, especially early in life, so that you don’t feel safe in the world, or you don’t feel safe at home or at school, your nervous system is set to be ‘anxious,'” explains Aron. However, highly sensitive young people who are raised in a nurturing atmosphere, are much less likely to struggle emotionally later.
7. Often referred to as “too sensitive”
Emotional sensitivity is perceived differently in every culture, especially when it comes to highly sensitive guys. As a result, some HSPs may endure ridicule for “taking things so personally” or “being too sensitive.”
They may feel embarrassed about their feelings, especially when HSPs feel things so strongly. So they are generally the ones to cry at a wedding a sad movie or even a sad commercial. They may also struggle to move on from criticism or insults. “People can say something negative, land [a non-HSP thigh-sensitive person] can say, ‘Whatever,’ and it won’t affect them,” Zeff explains. “But an HSP would feel it much more deeply.”
Does Autism, ADHD, and Introversion Intertwine with HSP?
Yes, in short. “While HSP and other medical conditions are not the same, high sensitivity can occur in association with mental health conditions,” says Dr. Childs. “For example, in addition to HSP, you can have ADHD.
Note that the two are not interchangeable.
It is important to distinguish between disorders and qualities that share certain features with sensory processing sensitivities. For example, while both introverts and HSPs tend to value alone time, not all introverts are HSPs and vice versa. In addition, although HSPs do not often struggle with impulsivity or focus, people with ADHD may exhibit heightened sensory sensitivity. Additionally, HSPs do not experience social or developmental problems, while individuals with autism may feel overstimulated by stimuli.
Either way, it is crucial for HSPs to choose how to best use and manage their traits. Although there is no one-size-fits-all lifestyle, individuals can begin their journey by changing their living space, getting enough sleep, engaging in mindfulness and appreciation practices, being selective in choosing close friends and lovers, and developing the ability to say no.Â
In short, individuals who are highly sensitive often experience the world with a unique depth and intensity that sets them apart from others. Their heightened empathy, keen attention to detail, and rich inner life can lead to a deep connection with the art, nature, and emotions of those around them. However, this increased sensitivity also comes with problems such as a tendency to become anxious, slower decision-making, and vulnerability to criticism.
Understanding these traits can enable highly sensitive people to embrace their unique qualities while managing potential pitfalls. Whether you’re dealing with emotional sensitivity, anxiety, or potential overlap with conditions like ADHD or autism, recognizing and nurturing your own attributes can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life.
By making conscious decisions about their environment, self-care practices, and social interactions, highly sensitive individuals can create a supportive framework that respects their sensitivity while promoting overall well-being.