Double Winners and More

If you find you are a highly sensitive person, or your child is, then you need to be aware of the following points:

This trait is normal--it is inherited by 15 to 20% of the population, and indeed the same percentage seems to be present in all higher animals.
Being an HSP means your nervous system is more sensitive to subtleties. Your sight, hearing, and sense of smell are not necessarily keener (although they may be). But your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply.
Being an HSP also means, necessarily, that you are more easily overstimulated, stressed out, overwhelmed.
This trait is not something new I discovered--it has been mislabeled as shyness (not an inherited trait), introversion (30% of HSPs are actually extraverts), inhibitedness, fearfulness, and the like. HSPs can be these, but none of these are the fundamental trait they have inherited.
The reason for these negative misnomers and general lack of research on the subject is that in this culture being tough and outgoing is the preferred or ideal personality--not high sensitivity. (Therefore in the past the research focus has been on sensitivity's potential negative impact on sociability and boldness, not the phenomenon itself or its purpose.) This cultural bias affects HSPs as much as their trait affects them, as I am sure you realize. Even those who loved you probably told you, "don't be so sensitive," making you feel abnormal when in fact you could do nothing about it and it is not abnormal at all.

http://www.hsperson.com/

Welcome! As an introduction to this inherited trait of high sensitivity, see if some of these statements resonate with you, or relate to someone important in your life...

You, your partner, or someone important to you have a heightened awareness of subtleties in your environment, whether it's sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell.

You or they can become stressed out and upset when overwhelmed and may find it necessary to get away, maybe into a darkened room, to seek solitude, relief and comfort.

You or they are very conscientious, hard working, and meticulous, but may become uncomfortable and less efficient or productive when being closely watched or scrutinized.

You or they feel compelled to file and organize things and thoughts, also enjoys simplicity and may become overwhelmed or even immobilized by chaos, clutter, or stress.

You or they are very uncomfortable when feeling things are getting out of your control.

You or they get a sense of comfort and well being when around a lake, river, stream, the ocean, or even a fountain.

You or they experience mood swings, sometimes occurring almost instantly and can also be affected by other people's moods, emotions and problems.

You or they have a deep, rich, inner life, are very spiritual and may also frequently have vivid dreams, including possibly nightmares.

You or they are very intuitive and can usually sense if someone isn't telling the truth or if something else is wrong.

You or they get concerned and worry about many things, and have also been told "you take things too personally."

You or they have had the experience of "cutting people out" of your life.

You or they were considered quiet, introverted, timid, or shy as a child.

Lightbulb Image Here are a few more to consider... Can be startled easily. Cautious in new situations. May have trouble sleeping. Extra sensitive to pain. Doesn't like crowds. Avoids violent movies and TV shows. Has a deep respect and appreciation of nature, music and art.

Do some, or many, of these statements ring true for you, your partner, or someone important in your life? If so, you or they may be HSP. Whether you already know something about the trait and temperament of highly sensitive people, or if this is your introduction to the subject, welcome! The goal and intent of this website is to impart information, provide support and be a resource to individuals with the trait of high sensitivity and the people in their lives.

http://www.highlysensitivepeople.com/