The term Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) was popularized by psychologist Elaine Aron in the 1990s. Highly sensitive people have greater emotional and sensory sensitivity, which can influence how they perceive the world and relate to others. Below, we explore what it means to be an HSP, its characteristics and how you can discover if you identify with this trait.
Characteristics of highly sensitive people
- Emotional sensitivity: HSPs tend to experience emotions more intensely than other people. They may feel overwhelmed by emotional or stressful situations and may have deep empathy for others.
- Reaction to sensory stimuli: these people are more susceptible to stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights or crowds. They may feel uncomfortable in chaotic or noisy environments.
- Depth of processing: HSPs tend to reflect deeply on experiences and emotions. This can lead to greater self-understanding and understanding of others, but it can also result in overanalysis.
- Need for alone time: To recharge, highly sensitive people often need time alone. Social overstimulation can be exhausting for them.
- Sharp intuition: many HSPs have strong intuition and can pick up on emotional nuances that others might overlook.
- People who are highly sensitive are often very creative and can express themselves artistically in unique ways.
How to discover if you are a HSP
If you’re wondering if you might be a highly sensitive person, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Do you get overwhelmed easily?
- Are you very empathetic?
- Do you need time alone?
- Do you reflect a lot on your experiences?
- Are you sensitive to physical stimuli?
- Do you have a rich inner life?