What is HSP?
Highly sensitive people are also often referred to as Ultra Sensitive People, Hypersensitive People, or People with “Over-excitabilities”. HSP’s often have nervous systems that are extremely sensitive to subtleties in their environment. They also take in and process stimuli much more deeply than non-HSP, and are thus more likely to become overstimulated or overwhelmed than non-HSP. The HSP personality is not always comptemplative, compassionate, or introverted, although these are common characteristics. HSP is simply an inborn heightened sensitivity to stimulation, be it sensory, social, or informational.Who Has HSP?
An estimated ten to twenty percent of the population can be classified as HSP. HSP is believed to be hereditary, not the product of environment. Do you need more sleep than most people? Do you have a unique spiritual life? Do you need more time than others to process a subject of debate in order to express your notions in a way that is satisfactory? Do you find yourself uneasy in new and or chaotic environments? Or do you find yourself fine-tuning the lighting in a given environment until you feel at ease? Are you easily moved to tears by depictions of human suffering, pain, or inspiration? Then you may well be HSP. There are programs that can help. The Midwest Center's Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program can help you battle conditions like HSP and overcome barriers that may be preventing you from living your life to the fullest.HSP and Intuition
HSP is almost always accompanied by a heightened sense of intuition. Often sought out for advice and council, or singled out as a sounding board for the heavy concerns of complete strangers, the empathy of HSP people is often magnetic to people who are in need of a sympathetic ear (to the pleasure or displeasure of the HSP individual). Highly sensitive people are also known for their creativity. They are often artists, writers, and musicians. This is not to suggest that they seek attention for their work, they are in fact, most often perceived to be introverted or shy. Even if they are not creators, HSP people have a tendency to have a great appreciation for the aesthetic, nature, music, and the arts.Overwhelming Stimuli
While many of the attributes of HSP individuals sound flattering, the drawbacks, while not altogether obvious to the rest of us, are readily apparent to the HSP. This is not a culture that rewards the introverted or empathetic individual. There are also a considerable number of HSP that are, in fact, extroverted, and even thrill seekers, but they still experience moments when the stimuli of a given situation or environment is debilitating.If you find you exhibit symptoms similar to those explained above, you might consider seeking professional help or enrolling in a program like the Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program to assist you in overcoming undesirable HSP traits.
