Some people are more sensitive than others.
Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., coined the term HSP in her excellent book entitled The Highly Sensitive Person. You can visit hsperson.com to take a self-test to see if it applies to you.
Those with this likely inherited trait often hear that they are too sensitive and that they overreact.
Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) often go through life feeling misunderstood, and they are often hard on themselves for being overly affected by everything.
HSPs are prone to sensory overload.
The HSP’s nervous system gets overloaded more quickly than most people’s systems. They can become easily overstimulated by loud city noises or other sensory stimuli such as bright lights, strong odors, and the feel of rough fabric or wind.
Not only are HSPs more sensitive to sensory stimulation, but they are also more sensitive to what is going on in the moods and energetics of the people around them and their environment, which can affect them significantly.
HSPs pick up on subtleties otherwise missed. It is easier for HSPs to reach a stimulus threshold and need to retreat from places or situations that become too taxing. They get “peopled out” more quickly in social settings, needing time to recharge alone.
Being a Highly Sensitive Person can be a challenge, especially when you want to have more capacity to deal with what other people don’t consider a challenge.
But there are always two sides to the coin!
HSPs often feel deeply touched by beauty, tend to be quite empathic and intuitive and drawn to the spiritual path, and have vastly rich inner lives.
What may feel like a constant thorn in one’s side is a marvelous gift to be understood and appreciated.
I identify as an HSP, and it is truly an honor to work with people who are also HSPs and who have not yet learned to embrace this part of themselves.
Some HSPs had stable childhoods, and some did not. Those who did not are more apt to struggle with their mental health.
Therapy can help with the struggle.
You may feel stigmatized for your level of sensitivity, but let’s look at that other side of the coin rather than focusing on how you appear to others.
Through our work together, we can explore the impact of being an HSP on your life. You can learn to harness your sensitivity for the greater good while also having boundaries.
From one HSP to another, I understand your frustrations and struggles. Reach out and let’s talk about it!