Highly sensitive people (HSPs) are more in tune with their surroundings due to biological differences in their nervous system. HSPs process sensory information more deeply and are easily affected by their environment. They may be emotionally sensitive, empathetic, and have physical reactions to stimuli. In school and work, they may underperform when observed and prefer a quiet environment.
A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone who is by nature more in tune with and aware of himself and his environment than the average person. Psychologist Elaine Aron coined this term in 1996, and through her research and the research of others, it has been determined that an HSP processes sensory information more deeply than most due to biological differences in the nervous system. This means that a highly sensitive person is more easily affected by their surroundings than most. This sensitivity varies from person to person, and a PAS can be very sensitive to physical or emotional stimuli, or both.
The emotional aspects of psychological sensitivity vary from person to person. Some people believe that someone whose feelings are easily hurt is a very sensitive person; while this may be one factor, there is so much more. Other people’s moods have a strong emotional impact on a PA, and a PA’s mood can transform based on the mood of the company they keep. While introversion is a trait of most highly sensitive people, some are extroverts. Likewise, not all HSPs are shy or experience social anxiety.
Empathy is also a hallmark of a PAS, and strong expressions of emotion come easily, both negatively and positively. A beautiful piece of music can evoke tears, but also violence. Being empathic can be a positive trait – the person may have feelings for others – but this empathy can take an emotional toll on the HSP due to time spent contemplating others’ situations.
Physical symptoms also vary from one highly sensitive person to another. Where one person may feel the prick of the needle like a minor sting, another PAS may feel quite painful. Likewise, loud noises may not be a problem for some, while they may be too much for another to bear, causing the HSP to retreat to a quiet place. Some may even like the scent of the cologne, while some PAs may find it overwhelming.
As a student or worker, an HSP also differs from other people. In school, a HSP may not raise her hand much, because she’s processing information on her own. A HSP doesn’t necessarily like to be the center of attention, so, at school or work, they will underperform when observed. As a worker, a highly sensitive person is detail-oriented, prefers a quiet work environment, and doesn’t socialize much. This lack of interaction with others in the workplace is often why highly sensitive people don’t excel in high-level positions.
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