- Elaine Aron, in her 1991 research, introduced the term “highly sensitive person” to describe individuals with delicate nervous systems.
- Highly sensitive people (HSPs) have a lower threshold for certain physical and emotional stimuli and require more time than non-HSPs to unwind and recharge.
- While not a diagnosable condition, identifying as an HSP can help individuals who have been labeled as “too sensitive” gain a better understanding of themselves.
As therapy speak continues to permeate mainstream conversations, more and more people are adopting labels like “empath,” “introvert,” and “highly sensitive person” to describe their unique experiences of the world and seek understanding from others who may not relate.
While empaths and introverts are well-known concepts, the idea of a highly sensitive person can be a novel and valuable addition. If you find yourself easily moved to tears by music, overwhelmed at lively parties, or affected by strong sensory stimuli like scents or lights, you may be a highly sensitive person.
This term has actually been around longer than many realize. In 1991, psychology researcher Elaine Aron began studying high sensitivity and found that approximately one in five Americans met the criteria for being highly sensitive. Aron distilled her findings and strategies for thriving as a highly sensitive person in her 1996 book “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You.”
Although not a diagnosable condition, the term “highly sensitive person” is used to describe individuals with sensitive nervous systems who have a lower threshold for certain physical and emotional stimuli compared to those who are not highly sensitive. As Insider previously reported, HSPs can feel drained and overstimulated after exposure to certain lights, smells, sounds, or extensive socializing, often requiring ample time alone to relax and recharge.
Celebrities like Lorde, Nicole Kidman, and Alanis Morissette have publicly identified as highly sensitive people, bringing more awareness to the term. For individuals who resonate with the label, embracing it can provide greater self-understanding and help them navigate self-care. It can also empower those who have faced shame for being labeled as “too sensitive” to accept and appreciate the depth of their emotions.
Amelia Kelley, a trauma therapist who identifies as a highly sensitive person, explained that understanding how the brain processes the world differently allows individuals to show themselves compassion and create a life that enhances their traits rather than challenging them.
How to Determine if You’re a Highly Sensitive Person
Being highly sensitive is considered a form of being neurodivergent, a term used to describe individuals whose brains process information differently than what is considered “normal.” However, being highly sensitive doesn’t necessarily mean someone also has autism or ADHD, which are separate conditions.
Although being highly sensitive is often confused with shyness, Kelley clarifies that shyness is a personality trait that can change over time, while being highly sensitive is a state trait determined by the wiring of a person’s body. Research indicates that individuals can show signs of high sensitivity from a very young age.
To determine if you could be a highly sensitive person, you can take a free online quiz designed by Elaine Aron. While the quiz serves as a starting point, even if you relate to just a few scenarios, it can provide valuable insight into yourself.
It’s worth noting that you don’t need to identify with every question in the HSP inventory to be considered highly sensitive. According to Aron, individuals who resonate with two or more questions can be regarded as highly sensitive.
For those who identify as highly sensitive, Kelley suggests recognizing and respecting the limits of your nervous system. Taking breaks to recharge with quiet time and nourishing meals can greatly assist in navigating overwhelming situations more effectively.
The Challenges and Rewards of Being Highly Sensitive
HSPs often receive criticism for caring too much and being too sensitive, with suggestions to simply relax. However, Kelley emphasizes that HSPs can’t simply change their mindset.
A highly sensitive person’s brain is wired to think and feel more deeply than the average person, resulting in a more attentive and reactive nervous system. As a result, HSPs may pick up on others’ feelings, fear rejection, and easily get hurt. They can also be highly reactive to sudden or noisy stimuli and be deeply moved by art.
As someone who identifies as an HSP, Kelley has noticed her nervous system becoming overwhelmed after extended periods of socializing, even with loved ones. Whether she is happy to be with them or not, she eventually reaches a point of feeling drained and irritable. Since realizing her sensitivity, Kelley has made it a priority to set aside time alone every day to keep her nervous system in check.
In fact, Kelley has grown to love being an HSP because it allows her to experience the world in a deep and vibrant way.
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