Highly Sensitive People — a vivid perception with a range of possibilities
What are people with highly sensitive traits?
To start with, it isn’t a disorder or condition, HSP is an inner temperament trait. If you are a person with this trait or are caring for a child who has it, explore the content below. Remembering that the only intention of this summary is informative and offers a notion of what high sensitivity is, if there is something identified in you or someone you know, seek advice from a professional you trust.
Aware of the subtleties?
- When you were a child, did your parents or teachers consider you sensitive or shy?
- Do you consider it a high priority to organize your life to avoid unpleasant or overwhelming situations?
- Do you feel agitated when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
- Do you notice or like delicate or fine aromas, flavors, sounds or works of art?
- Do you need to retreat during busy days, to a quiet environment or some other place where you want privacy and relief from the situation?
These are just a few examples that can help you identify an HSP person.
More vivid perception and awareness of positive and negative stimulus
Not today, I noticed the intensification of my sensitivity in everyday situations and so, for my well-being, I started to moderate all the content I came across along the way. Working on the idea that being sensitive is not something negative or fragile, it’s the first thought we should be aware of. By the contrary, the deep awareness of our surroundings is highly supportive in our lives — whether at work, intimate relationships, family and friends. The greater awareness of physical, emotional and social stimulus in the environment helps us to direct more clearly what is really useful for us.
From a scientific point of view, such subtlety comes from the modification of the ADRA2b gene. Neuroscientists have reported that these genes can influence how sensitive you are to emotional information. In the study, the relationship between the variation of this gene known to affect the availability of serotonin in the brain with human sensitivity levels is revealed.
This genetic variation influences the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (also called norepinephrine, it is a hormone, produced by the adrenal glands, and a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that transmits signals through the body’s nerve endings). ADRA2b is linked to heightened activity in specific brain regions that trigger more intense emotional responses and sensitivity when viewing positive and negative images. By analyzing standard personality traits such as introversion, conscientiousness and kindness, researchers in China have also noticed the deep rooting of these traits with the nervous system.
“DOES”, an acronym for understanding HSPs
In the book “Highly Sensitive People”, in a thorough research, American psychologist Elaine Aron cited the acronym “DOES” as a way for people to better understand the trait and not identify it as a disease or flaw.
“D” is for “Processing Depth”, HSPs simply process everything much more, relating and comparing what they perceive from past experiences to other similar things. When we make a decision without knowing how we arrived at it, we call it intuition, not infallible, but we have an extremely good one. You may also feel slower than other people, but that’s because you think through all the options very carefully.
“O” is for “Overstimulation”, we are easily stressed by a situation of overstimulation, including social, having learned this, we avoid intensities more than others.
The “E” is for “Emotional Reactivity”, HSPs particularly react more than non-HSPs to images with a “positive valence”. “And ”E” is also for empathy, our mirror-neurons help to know others’ intentions and how they feel. Therefore, they are largely responsible for the universal human capacity for empathy. We don’t just have an idea of how another person feels, we actually feel that way to some extent and by identifying with learning we can keep it under control so as not to drain our energy.
And finally, “S” for “Sensing the subtle”, the little things we notice, with one or more very acute senses. Our awareness of subtleties is helpful in many ways, from the simple pleasure in life to strategizing our response based on our awareness of others’ nonverbal cues (which they may have no idea they are giving) about their humor or trustworthiness.
Situations
At work, what are the advantages of having a staff member with highly sensitive traits? We are able to imagine a range of possibilities, with high creativity and nuanced perception. HSPs are deeply aware of the past and future. Furthermore, if the need arises, we spend a lot more time trying to invent solutions to human problems just because we are more sensitive to hunger, cold, insecurity, exhaustion and disease.
In China, “shy” and “sensitive” children were among the most chosen to be friends with others or participate in games. In Mandarin, the meaning of “shy” or “quiet” is to be someone good or well-behaved. Sensitive can be translates as having understanding, an expression of praise.
In cultures where the trait is more valued, such as China, Sweden and Japan, research takes on a different nuance. Psychology professionals, for example, expect their patients to have a greater role and this really happens. Looking at stress, Japanese psychologists see more flaws in the way non-sensitive people deal with it.
Our culture, the social factory
For better and for worse, the world is increasingly under the control of energetic cultures — those that love to look outward, expand, compete and win. The more enduring and happier Indo-European cultures have always used two groups to govern themselves — the warrior-kings balanced by their royal or priestly advisors. HSPs tend to fill this consultant role, we are the writers, historians, philosophers, judges, artists, researchers, therapists, teachers, parents, simple and conscientious inhabitants. What we bring to any of these roles is a willingness to think about all the likely effects of an idea.
So, to do our job well, we have to feel very comfortable with ourselves. We have to ignore all the messages from the warriors that we are not as good as they are. Boldness has its value, but our style also has a good contribution to give.
Key Behaviors for a Good HSP Performance
- Think about your own contribution to society. Whatever you’re doing — raising kids, studying something, playing a sport — you tend to think deeply about issues, pay attention to detail, see the future, and be careful.
- Requires allocating downtime to unpack a lot of information and process it. Make a conscious effort to dose the amount of stimulus and this constant “come and go” of content.
- Looking at your relationships and past decisions with a new lens, this is a lot of data that helps you understand your actions for the present and future.
- Adjust to your lifestyle, set limits, and do the kind of work that makes the best use of your sensitivity and minimizes overstimulation.
Curiosities and more content on the topic
People with HSP Traits: Abraham Lincoln (US President 1861), with his extraordinary empathy and sensitivity. Alanis Morissete, influential singer in the musical universe.
What was I listening to while writing?
Hand in my pocket, Alanis Morissete
Lights of love, Florence and the machine
Highly Sensitive Person
HSP test by Elaine Aron
The Highly Sensitive People book
Sensitive -The Untold story (Alanis Morissette and Elaine Aron)
