Is this you?
- Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
- Do you like deep conversations?
- Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
- Do other people tell you that you are good at understanding what they are feeling or thinking?
- Do you tend to reflect on things deeply?
- Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
- Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
- Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
- When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
Click here to take the self-test.
Dear Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
…or anyone raising a highly sensitive child (HSC),
Welcome. I’m Elaine Aron. I began researching high sensitivity in 1991 and continue to do research on it now, also calling it Sensory-Processing Sensitivity (SPS, the trait’s scientific term). I never planned to write any self-help books, but those who have this trait seem to gain a great deal from knowing about it. You can find my books here.
If you find you are highly sensitive, or your child is, I’d like you to know the following:
- Your trait is normal. It is found in 20% to 30% of the population–too many to be a disorder, but not enough to be well understood by the majority of those around you.
- It is innate. In fact, biologists have found it in over 100 species (and probably there are many more) from fruit flies, birds, and fish to dogs, cats, horses, and primates. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting. The brains of highly sensitive persons (HSPs) actually work a little differently than others’. To learn more about this, see Research.
- You are more aware than others of subtleties. This is mainly because your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply.
- You have what is called “differential susceptibility.” Because you observe and reflect more about your environment, you are more affected by it,” differentially,” than others, and “susceptible” to good and bad influences rather than just “vulnerable” to bad. For example, with a good childhood you may be especially happy and well-adjusted compared to others, but with a poor childhood, you may be more likely to be depressed, anxious, or shy. Happily, you also gain more from interventions. To learn more about differential susceptibility, type it into our search box on the right.
- You are also more easily overwhelmed. If you notice everything, you are naturally going to be overstimulated when things are too intense, complex, chaotic, or novel for a long time.
- This trait is not a new discovery, but it has been misunderstood. Because HSPs prefer to look before entering new situations, they are often called “shy.” But shyness is learned, not innate. In fact, 30% of HSPs are extroverts, although the trait is often mislabeled as introversion. It has also been called inhibitedness, fearfulness, or neuroticism. Some HSPs behave in these ways, but it is not innate to do so and not the basic trait.
- Sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures. In cultures where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They are told “don’t be so sensitive” so that they feel abnormal.
- Sensitive men have this problem in most Western cultures. There are as many highly sensitive men as women, but it is more acceptable for women, so men tend to hide it.
The contents of this website and the self-tests it contains are not meant to diagnose or exclude the diagnosis of any condition.