Sylina Lyew, a licensed mental health therapist, shares her experiences as a highly sensitive person (HSP), shedding light on the traits that define such individuals, as elucidated by psychology researcher Elaine Aron. Here are seven signs that you might be a highly sensitive person:
1. **Sensory Sensitivities:**
HSPs often exhibit physical sensitivities, being bothered by elements like uncomfortable clothing, strong odors, or loud noises. While there’s an overlap with sensory sensitivities in ADHD and autism, being highly sensitive doesn’t imply having these diagnoses.
2. **Emotional Environment Awareness:**
HSPs are not only attuned to their physical surroundings but also highly sensitive to emotional environments. They might easily pick up on people’s moods and sense tension in a room, sometimes leading to emotional exhaustion.
3. **Need for Recharge:**
Due to the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed by stimuli, HSPs may experience burnout faster. They often require more time to replenish their energy, whether through alone time or deep conversations.
4. **Preference for Deep Friendships:**
HSPs tend to crave deeper connections, prioritizing fewer, long-lasting relationships over superficial ones. Small talk, while sometimes necessary, can drain their energy.
5. **Emotional Processing Time:**
Processing emotions takes time for HSPs. They may need space and time to calm down, especially after emotionally charged situations or arguments.
6. **Pressure and Stress:**
HSPs typically struggle under pressure, as overstimulation can cause stress and impact performance, such as in standardized tests or high-pressure situations.
7. **Excel in Certain Professions:**
While it’s a stereotype that HSPs are always artsy, their hyper-perceptiveness can help them excel in various professions, allowing them to spot issues and excel in roles like teaching, management, or parenting.
Understanding one’s high sensitivity can be empowering, allowing individuals to manage and leverage their sensitivity as a strength.
