What percentage of people are sensitive?
Overall, about 15 to 20 percent of the population are thought to be highly sensitive. HSPs are thought to be more disturbed than others by violence, tension, or feelings of being overwhelmed.
Background. Theory and research suggest that sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), found in roughly 20% of humans and over 100 other species, is a trait associated with greater sensitivity and responsiveness to the environment and to social stimuli.
While many people may ask themselves “Am I too sensitive?,” it's important to note that being a highly sensitive person is not a disorder and nothing to be ashamed of. It's simply a unique trait, just like being tall or light-haired.
A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a term for those who are thought to have increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. Some refer to this as having sensory processing sensitivity or SPS as a short form.
Gifted people are usually also highly sensitive and intense. They are more aware of subtleties; their brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. At their best, they can be exceptionally perceptive, intuitive, and keenly observant of the subtleties of the environment.
Did you ever notice that most of the sensitive people you know are also the strongest? When it comes to inner strength and resilience, the ability to handle difficult situations and stress and when overcoming obstacles, sensitive people seem to have almost a secret ability to deal with the challenges of life.
Not only are HSPs extra sensitive to environmental stimulation, they're also sensitive emotionally. According to Dr. Elaine Aaron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, sensitive people tend to cry more easily than others. “Sensitive people can't help but express what they're feeling,” she told the Huffington Post.
Characteristics of Highly Sensitive People
Are easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or loud sirens. Feel stressed when they have a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time. Avoid violent movies and TV shows. Withdraw during busy days.
- Mindfulness. Daily mindfulness is one of the best tools to pull you away from your reactive thoughts and into the present moment. ...
- Brain training. Our brain is a bit like a computer. ...
- Displacement techniques. By: Michael Himbeault. ...
- Perspective jumping. ...
- Acceptance. ...
- Daily journalling. ...
- Self care.
Being sensitive isn't a negative personality trait that should be frowned upon or seen as weak—sensitive people are often richly empathic, and feel with other people. Empathy is different from sympathy and fosters connections that can be hard to make.
Why I'm so sensitive?
Feeling heightened emotions or like you're unable to control your emotions can come down to diet choices, genetics, or stress. It can also be due to an underlying health condition, such as a mood disorder or hormones.
Highly sensitive people tend to pick up on the needs and feelings of others. They hate letting people down. Learning to say no is a challenge and a necessity for HSPs because they can feel crushed by the demands of others, particularly because they can feel their friends' disappointment if HSPs need to say no.
Being sensitive is not a bad thing! Your hard-wired nature brings you benefits of joy and happiness. Your awareness of and empathy for other people are sources of strength. You naturally wonder why people and things are the way they are.
HSPs are typically highly intelligent, and seek out opportunities to do deep work. Many HSPs are academics, artists, researchers, scientists and technicians with high level proficiency. HSPs are deep learners, and so enjoy going deep on their chosen subjects, and often gain proficiency early in life.
Highly sensitive people tend to be conscientious and empathetic and may notice subtle changes in their interactions and environment. Some benefits include: Social skills: HSPs tend to notice things others do not. Picking up on body language and other subtle cues may help them develop strong social skills.
Most highly sensitive people display rare strengths in key areas of emotional intelligence, also known as emotional quotient (EQ) — the ability to recognize and understand emotions in themselves and others. These strengths including self-awareness and social-awareness.
Your ability to feel - the good and the bad in equal measure - is a gift that means you will experience life in all its colours. Your sensitivity is not a curse. On the days when you care maybe too much - or just enough for you - be patient with yourself, and above all else be kind.
According to Aron, 15 to 20 percent of the population is born with a high level of sensitivity. “When you know that you are highly sensitive, it reframes your life,” says Aron. Knowing that you have this trait will enable you to make better decisions.
Shy vs Highly Sensitive People / HSP
Psychologist Elaine Aron, PhD says “Because HSPs (highly sensitive persons) prefer to look before entering new situations, they are often called 'shy. ' “But shyness is learned, not innate. In fact, 30% of HSPs are extraverts, although the trait is often mislabeled as introversion.”
The truth is that high sensitivity gives us the ability to be strong, capable and thriving, even in the face of adversity. In fact, the very traits that make us highly sensitive are the qualities that can give us enormous inner strength.
Are highly sensitive people toxic?
And while sensitive people are highly intuitive, because they have such a strong sense of empathy, they can easily end up in toxic relationships more so than others.
Sleep is crucial for HSPs, so make sure its highly quality and your night-time sleep is long. Most HSPs need at least 8 hours, and many sleep over the average -- 9 or 10 hours nightly. If you're not getting enough sleep you WILL burn out and edge towards depression, anxiety and become less capable of functioning.
The positive traits of people that are highly sensitive include emotional awareness, empathy for others, the ability to pick up on small cues that others miss, dedication to fairness and justice, passionate and innovative thinking, and an ability to demonstrate good leadership through valuing others.
- You need to go faster. ...
- Its not that big of a deal. ...
- I know how you feel. ...
- You are too emotional. ...
- It doesnt have to be perfect. ...
- That smell is not that strong. ...
- Why does it take you so long to eat? ...
- Really, you need another break?
An HSP can be fulfilled in their relationships even if they have only a few close friends, so long as those friends are a good match for the HSP's unique needs. An ideal friendship for an HSP is a truly meaningful one. We thrive on strong, solid, and deep connections.
While this personality trait presents some daily challenges, I am able to connect and build healthy relationships with others, respond more empathetically to things, and use many other strengths to my advantage. Unlike the personality trait suggests, being “highly sensitive” does not have to equal weakness.
In relationships, it is very hard to be too sensitive. If someone says something that is hurting your feelings, you have the right to be upset by it if it upsets you. Now, someone saying something off-handed once or twice, not emotional abuse. However, if this continues, yes, it is emotional abuse.
You cannot be cured of being highly sensitive, but you can learn to cope with life in a good way. If you do not understand yourself and your strengths, you can easily feel more vulnerable than you really are. You may become more self-critical, which can cause your self-image to deteriorate.
There is often a misconception that highly sensitive people have low self-esteem, as if the two are one and the same. But high sensitivity does not cause low self-esteem, nor are highly sensitive people born feeling insecure.
Crying easily can be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or a lot of stress in your life. Since HSPs feel so deeply and can experience sensory overload, we're more susceptible to strong feelings of depression or anxiety. We might feel alone in our sensitivity or isolate ourselves to reduce excess stimuli.
Is being sensitive genetic?
We found that 47% of the differences in peoples' sensitivity are indeed explained by genetic factors. But the remaining 53% of a person's level of sensitivity is shaped by life experiences. In other words, genetics accounts for just under half of the reason you may be a more sensitive person.
It can mean "raw or hurting" when talking about a part of the body. After people visit the dentist, their gums are often sensitive because of the way that big angry lady cleaned their teeth. Sensitive people get their feelings hurt easily.
They are able to reflect on their emotions and articulate their thoughts and feelings in sophisticated ways. Because highly sensitive people tend to have advanced emotional skills, they are more likely to be effective in their lives because they can control, understand, and use their emotions productively.
Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron. According to Aron's theory, HSPs are a subset of the population who are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity, or SPS.
The good news is that highly sensitive people aren't more or less emotionally intelligent than others. They just use emotional intelligence differently.
The introverted (I) intuitive (N) types (“INs”)—INFJ, INFP, INTJ and INTP—are among the most “sensitive” of the personality types.
HSPs are typically highly intelligent, and seek out opportunities to do deep work. Many HSPs are academics, artists, researchers, scientists and technicians with high level proficiency. HSPs are deep learners, and so enjoy going deep on their chosen subjects, and often gain proficiency early in life.
Sadly, INFPs ranked the lowest for happiness as well as the lowest for life-satisfaction. According to the third edition of the MBTI® Manual, these types also ranked second highest in dissatisfaction with their marriages and intimate relationships.
1. ESFJ. People who fit the ESFJ personality type can usually be recognized by their big hearts and kindly manner. ESFJs are warm and welcoming and their love of tradition means they value good old-fashioned manners highly.
The short answer: INFJ (Introverted-Intuitive-Feeling-Judgment) is the most complex Myers-Briggs Personality Type.
Do highly sensitive people get mad easily?
Someone who externalises their anger may act violently or harshly at others, with little ability or potential to self-reflect on what they have done. A highly sensitive person who tends to externalise their anger may be irritable all the time, easily annoyed and triggered.
- You're very aware of what's happening in and around you. HSPs “tend to be more reactive to” their environments, Dr. ...
- You think deeply about… ...
- You can easily empathize with people and may feel others' emotions intensely. ...
- You're constantly trying to make other people feel comfortable.
There are indeed links between the two, but also certainly some differences. In 2015, clinical psychologist Elke van Hoof did research on high sensitivity and looked at a possible link with giftedness. She discovered that 87% of gifted people are also highly sensitive.
HSP can spend a lot of time thinking, analysing and reflecting on situations. Their overactive mind means they can be prone to emotional overwhelm and burnout. If left unchecked those who are highly sensitive are more likely to experience periods of extreme anxiety, stress, guilt or even shame.