Recently I was asked to write for the popular health portal Health Unlocked. I hope the article inspires you to explore high sensitivity in more depth if you see some aspects of the trait in you. If this is a new discovery for you, I offer counselling and mentoring to highly sensitive adults, and parents of highly sensitive children, both face-to-face and online. See some of my testimonials.
Are you a HSP?
Dr. Elaine Aron first started her research into High Sensitivity in 1991 and her book “The Highly Sensitive Person” was first published in 1997; subsequently, it has sold almost one million copies and is available in 17 languages. Yet in 2019, High Sensitivity still seems “under the radar”, particularly in the UK. More recent research in 2018 suggests that the original estimate of 1:5 of the population being Highly Sensitive is somewhat conservative.
So what is Highly Sensitivity?
Those who are Highly Sensitive have a highly developed nervous system, which displays in a number of ways. It’s a trait just like other aspects that you have been born with. You don’t need to seek treatment and you won’t find a “cure”. It’s normal to be Highly Sensitive. Scientifically known as Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) and is also present in many species of animals.
Dr. Aron’s acronym best sums up the key aspects of High Sensitivity:
DOES stands for Depth of Processing, Overarousability, Emotional Intensity, and Sensory Sensitivity (Aron, 2010).
Depth of Processing is about deep thoughts and feelings, or contemplation, both of oneself and the world in general. Perhaps you take your time reflecting, possibly to the point of rumination; it could be about you, your immediate family, your career, climate emergency, animal welfare, war.
You are likely to have a highly artistic and creative aspect to you, coupled with conscientiousness; this would be offset against an awareness of failure and any consequences.
Overarousability can manifest in many ways and will be a result of too much stimulation for you. You might be more sensitive to caffeine, alcohol, and other drugs, both prescribed and recreational; glaring or fluorescent lights, much preferring total darkness for sleeping; noise especially sudden, strong smells, “itchy” fabrics, too many people for the space you are in; pressure of tight deadlines such as at work or an exam. You may adapt your behaviour to reduce these common stimuli and take more time out alone to compensate.
Emotional Intensity will show in deeper, stronger, longer emotions both positive and negative; praise and criticism will affect you more. You will have a high level of empathy, possibly showing from a relatively early age, coupled with intuition and ability to be aware of others’ emotions. So you might be able to “read” others and be affected by their good/bad mood. You are not likely to want to enjoy watching violent films and TV programmes.
Sensory Sensitivity there is some overlap with some aspects of overarousability; would you notice I’ve changed a picture in my therapy room from one wall to another, between sessions, for example?
Want to take a simple test to see if you are Highly Sensitive?
http://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
And to check if your child may be highly sensitive:
http://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-child-test/
David Wilson is a Highly Sensitive Person and dad to a Highly Sensitive Child. He continues to explore the world of the HSP through personal therapy and writing on the subject.
Web : https://davidwilsoncounselling.com/
Email : [email protected]
Tel : +44 7421 046591
David Wilson Counselling 