Highly Sensitive People (HSP)
Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert or both, you can be a highly sensitive person (HSP).
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Have you ever wondered why some people are able to handle and respond to certain situations differently than others? Or why you’re easily overwhelmed by noise, lights and smells? If so, then there’s a chance that your personality type might be one of the highly sensitive people (HSP).
What is it to be highly sensitive?
The term “highly sensitive” is a new term, coined by Dr. Elaine Aron in the 1996 to describe what she saw as a trait that some people possess — a trait that has been around since humans first appeared on Earth.
The concept of being highly sensitive was not based on any clinical diagnosis or psychological theory; it simply came from Dr. Aron’s observations (informal and scientific) of herself and other people who seemed to be different than the rest of their families, friends and colleagues. But it does have one thing in common with other traits: it helps define who you are.
As you may know if you’re reading this article, there are many definitions for sensitivity — the word itself can mean anything from being easily embarrassed to having heightened senses (taste, sight etc.). The term “highly sensitive” is similar but also different from these because:
- It isn’t a clinical diagnosis (like ADHD) or personality type (like introversion)
- It isn’t based on your moods; instead it describes your behavior even when there are no external forces acting upon you
Who are the Highly Sensitive People?
Who are the Highly Sensitive People?
HSPs are about 15% of the population, but make up a disproportionate number of artists, musicians and writers. There is a lot of misinformation out there about HSPs, so here are some things you need to know:
- Highly sensitive…