HSP - Highly Sensitive Person
A bit of background on HSP (Highly Sensitive Person:
The term HSP was popularized by Dr. Elaine Aron in 1997 and is accepted in psychology and counseling as identifying people who possess a genetic trait of sensory-processing sensitivity. It’s estimated that as much as 15-20 percent of the population may be HSPs.
HSP Traits include, but are not limited to:
processing information more thoroughly with detailed observational skills
having stronger emotional reactions and being overly sensitive to criticism and perfectionism
having strong environmental sensitivities, such as startling easily from noise, light, and chaotic places;
seeking out quiet zones when overstimulated
inner life is rich and complex.
Dr. Aron created a quick summary of HSP traits with the acronym DOES: Depth of processing, Overstimulation, Emotionally responsive/empathy, and Sensitivity to subtleties.
The difference between an HSP and an empathic person:
The simplest way to distinguish between an HSP and an empathic person is to look at the source of what is being processed. HSPs are processing details and events on the physical plane and assessing how they fit in or belong—hence the trait of hypersensitivity to criticism and a lean towards perfectionism.
Empathic persons are receiving additional sensory information that doesn't always have a visual clue or physicality, as in the case with an HSP. Empathic persons often question if they are imagining random impressions and phantom pains. Their relationship to places and people can be perplexing and confusing. They can internalize this as self-doubt and not feeling comfortable in their own bodies.
Self-care for an HSP can look like:
The physical environment and the social interactions are what activates an HSP’s sensory sensitivities. As part of self-care, you need to monitor when you may be overstimulated from loud noises, bright lights, and busy crowded places with too much stimuli to track and remove yourself.
Look at the possibility that any unresolved childhood trauma can be compounding your sensitivities around feeling safe. Your nervous system can be under additional stress monitoring your environment and narrowing your focus for threats. If so, seek counseling that specializes in trauma and somatic therapies.
Make a list of environments that support you feeling liberated from processing everything. Nature, for example. Put yourself in environments that support you.
Communicate your needs to those close to you. Don’t make them guess at what your needs are; share with them your experiences to help build empathy and advocacy.
Your attention to detail for building context and plausible outcomes lends itself to being intuitive and creative. Play with this natural asset.
Increase your exposure to different environments, if only for a short time span, to build resilience and confidence.
Reach out to me and I will provide you with resources specifically for HSP’s that provide counseling and community.
