How do I know if I’m a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?
You know that saying, “if you know, you know?” That’s my very short answer to the question: how do I know if I’m a Highly Sensitive Person? (and don’t worry – if you’re looking for the long answer, it’s coming below!).
Being highly sensitive is a trait that a percentage of the population possesses from birth (estimates sit somewhere in the 15-30% range).
Being a Highly Sensitive Person is not a diagnosable condition. Instead, determining your HSP-ness is very much an inside job. Its identification is based on how you think and feel, rather than things that people can observe (though if you’ve ever been told you’re ‘too sensitive’ you might be very aware of the ways your sensitivity can be seen on the outside).
In my work, I find that people often resonate immediately with the words ‘Highly Sensitive Person’. They may not love the words themselves, but they recognise a truth in them and see themselves reflected.
But let’s talk specifics and dive into the long(er) answer, shall we? What exactly is a Highly Sensitive Person?
A HSP is someone who:
Senses the subtle things (that others often miss)
- You might be the one who spots the moon and gushes over it like it’s the first time you’ve ever seen it
- or you stop to take pictures of the flowers that are blooming because it’s just so gorgeous
- You might be hyper aware of people’s shifting emotions or the changing mood in a room
- Or perhaps you’re the first to notice the new cushion on the couch or the changed artwork on the wall.
Processes information deeply (some might call this overthinking, but that’s not a fair way to frame it!)
- You make connections between things and possibly take a longer time to make decisions
- You might have a strong sense of intuition (even if it takes you a while to get there)
- And you might tend to see multiple perspectives and possibilities – as though you can hold a situation or idea up and view it from all angles.
Is emotionally reactive and deeply empathetic
- You likely feel high highs and low lows. The beauty of a rainbow can overwhelm you with awe.
- You might be very attuned to the emotions of others. If they’re sad or anxious, you might find yourself feeling the same way.
Can become easily overstimulated (because you’re sensing lots of things and processing them all deeply – that’s a heavy load!)
- This might show up as anxious thoughts and feelings, being tired and just generally feeling dysregulated if there are too many things to process and too many demands on your resources
Elaine Aron and team have developed a questionnaire that can be handy for self-identifying High Sensitivity. You can find it on the HSPerson website here.
Like all elements of your personality and temperament, your High Sensitivity works in combination with all the other things that make you, you. No two Highly Sensitive People are exactly the same.
You might experience your sensitivity as showing up more in certain areas than others. Like maybe you’re super attuned to others’ emotions but not so bothered by loud noises. Or lights and noise can send you abuzz, but sad movies aren’t such a big deal.
I’m increasingly aware of my sensitivity to competing sounds in my environment, but that wasn’t always the thing that bothered me most. Which leads me to my final point (for now): your sensitivity, like other elements that contribute to making you you, might evolve and show up differently at different ages and stages. You are constantly getting to know yourself – and your sensitivity – as you age, grow and develop, and that is a beautiful thing.
– Erica