I recently discovered in addition to being an introvert & eclectic (renaissance soul/scanner), I’m also an HSP or “highly sensitive person.” I think this is a bit odd to share with the world, but I suppose one of the things I strive to do is be understood (and understand others, but I think that comes with being INFP & HSP).
Sensitive in this case means that everyday experiences and environments affect HSPs more deeply, which leads to overstimulation, and what my family has labeled as overreacting.
HSPs have a more fine-tuned nervous system, a brain that processes incoming information more carefully and sorts things into finer distinctions. Dr. Aron likens this all to:
…those machines that grade fruit by size — we sort into ten sizes while others sort into two or three.
As a result (and even despite all this), HSPs are highly intuitive, loyal, creative, empathic, insightful, authentic and understanding.
Being highly sensitive isn’t a choice, much like your eye or hair color. According to Dr. Aron who wrote The Highly Sensitive Person, it’s a neutral trait, neither good nor bad. It’s something you’re born with, and probably inherited.
Having studied psychology in college, I can say that although no one can truly be labeled or stuffed in a box (something I REALLY dislike), personality indicators like the MBTI are relatively reliable. Not everyone is exactly as the MBTI or other tests say they are, but they do give decent generalizations & a way to “know thyself.” I’m a bit biased, but I think the Greeks are right on this one.
So that’s why I picked up Dr. Aron’s book. I thought what I heard about HSPs sounded very familiar, and I wanted to find out more.
Here’s a video by Dr. Elaine Aron explaining HSPs.
So as an HSP I tend to internalize even the slightest thing that could be misconstrued as negative which rears its ugly head in major negative self-talk — which I now call my “Venomous Toad Committee” (Thanks, Sheri!).
I was and still am way too hard on myself. I recognize that and it’s really difficult to change. But I’m doing what I can.
Despite the negatives (easily overwhelmed, negative self-image, feelings of being defective, tendency to withdraw) HSPs can be the wise advisors, visionary artists and healers of the world. Great stuff, really, but some HSPs may not be able to realize their own uniqueness and get over the stuckitude without a bit of help.
So besides the book, The Highly Sensitive Person, here are a few resources for HSPs:
LifeWorks : Coaching & Counseling
Jenna Avery: Life coach for HSPs
The Art of Sensitive Living: Musings on the art of happy, healthy, & highly sensitive living
Tribe Magazine: Up & coming magazine for HSPs
TalentDevelop: Information and inspiration to enhance creative expression and personal development
Joyful Work for Sensitive People: sorta self-explanatory
Highly Sensitive Power: empowering sensitivity through curiosity, creativity, and community
Highly Sensitive
HSP Notes: A Blog written by a Highly Sensitive Person
And here are some HSPs, coaches & authors on Twitter:
@talentdevelop
@JennaAvery
@LifeBlazing
@GraceKerina
@HSPCliff
Are you a highly sensitive person? Do you have any favorite resources/people to follow on Twitter? Please leave a comment if you are/do. 
#1 by Anna-Marie on August 17th, 2009
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Just wanted to say thanks for the article. Great food for thought. I had never heard of this before.
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#2 by Skannie on August 17th, 2009
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This is a very interesting post Alexia. I seem to fit the criteria for an HSP too. My response turned out to be too long for a comment, so I’ve turned it into a post at my Scanner Tribe blog. It’s called Multiple Interests and High Sensitivity, and is about a possible connection between them.
http://www.scannertribe.com/2009/08/17/multiple-interests-and-high-sensitivity
#3 by Erika Harris on August 17th, 2009
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Alexia,
“HSPs can be the wise advisors, visionary artists and healers of the world.” Amen to that! The power and potential of that statement inspires me completely, and fuels my desire to serve HSPs.
Thank you so much for this article, and for mentioning me in it
With Affection,
Erika Harris, Creator
Joyful Work for Sensitive People
#4 by Carrie (idea_bunny on Twitter) on August 17th, 2009
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Thank you for sharing this.
A few years ago, I was feeling “defective” and stumbled upon Dr. Aron’s book “The Highly Sensitive Person”. Then a few months later I found an online community for HSPs and they have been a godsend for me.
This isn’t an easy world to live in, and for those of us who are more intuitive/empathic/idealistic, it can be a brutal place. It helps to find people who “get” you and appreciate your unique nature and gifts.
#5 by Grace Kerina on August 17th, 2009
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Alexia,
Thanks for mentioning me and my website in your post. I’m glad to be reminded about scanning and sensitivity in conjunction. I checked out Barbara Sher’s thoughts and terminology on scanning years ago, but haven’t thought of it since I started Highly Sensitive Power.
And thanks to you, Skannie, for that link to the Scanner Tribe.
[Hi, Erika!]
With glee,
Grace Kerina
Highly Sensitive Power
#6 by Alexia on August 17th, 2009
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Thanks for the comments everyone! This was a difficult post to write, but I’m glad it’s getting such a great response.
More to come, that’s for sure!
#7 by joy (@thoughtsofjoy) on August 18th, 2009
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Hi Alexia,
I’m definitely an HSP. So glad you wrote about this and shared others who are HSPs on Twitter.
I’ve worked with @JennaAvery and it has been a difficult, but rewarding process to accept my sensitivities. Thanks for the blog inspiration too.
joy
#8 by Tina Bentley on September 13th, 2009
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Thanks Alexia for mentioning Tribe here. I really appreciate it. It has been my ambition for years to launch a multimedia project for people like me. Through Tribe I really want to focus on the positive attributes of being an HSP, and the wonderful creativity that goes with it.
Welcome to this new HSP aspect of your journey. There are many more who have not yet identified with the trait.This post helps to widen our community.
Hugs
Tina
#9 by Tom on January 1st, 2010
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Reading about HSP couldn’t help thinking my numerology life path number which is 3/30. The number to the left if I remember correctly is the challenge and the number to the right is the means (which in my case both are 3). 3 is sensitivity and expression in my numerology book.
To find your life path add the digits of your birth date together until you have a two-digit number (means) and then add those two, to derive your challenge number.