What Is High Sensitivity?
“A certain innate sensitiveness produces a special prehistory, a special way of experiencing infantile events, which in their turn are not without influence on the development of the child’s view of the world. Events bound up with powerful impressions can never pass off without leaving some trace on sensitive people.”
(C.G. Jung, 1913)
C.G. Jung, arguably he most influential psychiatrist and psychotherapist after Sigmund Freud, already mentioned in 1913 the concept of innate sensitiveness in several of his lectures. Jung argued that some people are born being more sensitive than others and that this innate trait shapes and interacts with their experiences and their perception of the world. He observed that when sensitive individuals are given the same degree of stress in childhood as non- sensitive individuals, they are more likely to develop depression, anxiety or shyness later in life. However, if sensitive individuals experience lower levels of stress or experience a nurturing upbringing that provides a good match to their innate trait, they show no more of these difficulties than the non-sensitive individuals — or even less, often being unusually aware of supportive as well as negative cues from parents or other caregivers.
Dr Elaine Aron, a Jungian Psychotherapist and researcher, focused her research since 1991 on this concept of “innate sensitivity”. Based on the findings of her empirical research she published the landmark book “The Highly Sensitive Person” in 1996. Since then she has published a series of bestselling books on HSPs, short for Highly Sensitive Person, and has inspired a wealth of research in neuroscience on “sensory processing sensitivity”.
These studies, using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), provide physical evidence that brains of individuals who are “highly sensitive” respond more powerfully to emotional images than individuals who are not “highly sensitive”. This translates to an individual characterised as HSP showing higher levels of awareness and emotional responsiveness based on greater activity in the sections of the brain called “mirror neuron system” and “anterior insula”.
Biologists have found the trait in over 100 species, from fruit flies to primates, and research indicates that between 15% and 20% of the population is born with a more sensitive nervous system. One possible explanation for this is that it offers a different evolutionary survival strategy.
(C.G. Jung, 1913)
C.G. Jung, arguably he most influential psychiatrist and psychotherapist after Sigmund Freud, already mentioned in 1913 the concept of innate sensitiveness in several of his lectures. Jung argued that some people are born being more sensitive than others and that this innate trait shapes and interacts with their experiences and their perception of the world. He observed that when sensitive individuals are given the same degree of stress in childhood as non- sensitive individuals, they are more likely to develop depression, anxiety or shyness later in life. However, if sensitive individuals experience lower levels of stress or experience a nurturing upbringing that provides a good match to their innate trait, they show no more of these difficulties than the non-sensitive individuals — or even less, often being unusually aware of supportive as well as negative cues from parents or other caregivers.
Dr Elaine Aron, a Jungian Psychotherapist and researcher, focused her research since 1991 on this concept of “innate sensitivity”. Based on the findings of her empirical research she published the landmark book “The Highly Sensitive Person” in 1996. Since then she has published a series of bestselling books on HSPs, short for Highly Sensitive Person, and has inspired a wealth of research in neuroscience on “sensory processing sensitivity”.
These studies, using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), provide physical evidence that brains of individuals who are “highly sensitive” respond more powerfully to emotional images than individuals who are not “highly sensitive”. This translates to an individual characterised as HSP showing higher levels of awareness and emotional responsiveness based on greater activity in the sections of the brain called “mirror neuron system” and “anterior insula”.
Biologists have found the trait in over 100 species, from fruit flies to primates, and research indicates that between 15% and 20% of the population is born with a more sensitive nervous system. One possible explanation for this is that it offers a different evolutionary survival strategy.
Typical Attributes, Behaviours & Characteristics of
the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)
It is important to mention that being highly sensitive is not a psychological disorder or a psychological issue as such that needs “fixing”. It is a normal temperament trait people are born with. However, being part of a minority in society is never easy and it can make you more vulnerable to developing mental health issues, such as anxiety, social anxiety or depression. Other highly sensitive people might not suffer from any mental health issues, but might struggle with functioning in a society that values sensory overstimulation and a fast-paced lifestyle. They might find themselves working in an environment surrounded by people who are non-HSP and might find an open-plan office with fluorescent lighting, noise and time pressure extremely uncomfortable or perpetually overstimulating. Other highly sensitive people might struggle with being in a relationship with a partner who is not highly sensitive. Other HSPs might find it difficult to accept their sensitivity as it makes them feel ashamed or worthless. Another common issue is making life-style changes in order to find their optimal level of stimulation. Growing up with a more finely tuned nervous system and therefore a “sharper” perception of the world can come with its own difficulties and issues. So in other words, the trait itself is not problematic, but it does come with its own challenges that might require some support or psychotherapeutic work. Common attributes, behaviours and characteristics of HSPs are:
- HSPs are often more aware of subtleties in their environment and become quicker overstimulated than others
- HSPs are often more sensitive to physical pain or the effect of stimulating substances (e.g. caffeine)
- HSPs often respond to lower doses of medications than most people
- HSPs tend to be easily startled and often feel overwhelmed by loud sensory inputs, violent films or large crowds
- HSPs tend to be more cautious when facing new situations
- HSPs are often highly conscientious and have a tendency to be perfectionistic
- HSPs are easily shaken up and distressed by changes. They also do less well "multitasking" situations
- HSPs are often sensitive to loud noises, strong scents, coarse fabrics or bright lights (e.g. sirens, airplanes, woolen jumpers, fluorescent lighting etc.)
- HSPs tend to be "cooperative," rather than "competitive," and often underperform in highly competitive environments
- HSPs get easily rattled in stressful situations and under time pressure
- HSPs are highly empathic and frequently "pick up moods" from other people
- About 70% of HSPs are introverted, while about 30% are extroverted. All of them tend to have rich inner lives and show a tendency to think deeply about the world, others and their lives
- HSPs tend to need more time on their own in order to reduce their level of overstimulation/over-arousal, often preferring being in nature or in a quiet, less stimulating environment to do so
- HSPs are often drawn to the arts, music, nature and spirituality and quickly feel an emotional reaction to images of beauty, but also violence or horror
- HSPs often perform poorly, even doing familiar tasks, when they are being observed or "evaluated" by others
