Is highly sensitive person scientifically proven? (2023)

Is HSP legit?

Hypersensitivity — also known as being a “highly sensitive person” (HSP) — is not a disorder. It is an attribute common in people with ADHD.

What scientists have discovered about highly sensitive people?

New research has indicated that hypersensitive people are genetically different than those who feel a normal degree of sensitivity. "We've done brain activation studies," said Dr.

Are highly sensitive people scientifically proven?

Here's the deal: An HSP's nervous system processes external stimuli much deeper than others. Scientifically named sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), it's a completely normal genetic trait brought to light by clinical psychologist Elaine Aron in the '90s.

Is being a highly sensitive person a trauma response?

While a highly sensitive person (HSP) is no more likely to experience distressing events than a non-HSP, they may be more likely to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result. The term “highly sensitive person” was coined in 1991 by psychologist Elaine Aron.

Are HSP intelligent?

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.

Is HSP a narcissist?

It is important to note that many highly sensitive people are not narcissistic. Highly sensitive people are often aware, empathetic, and excellent listeners, which are the antithesis of narcissism.

How is the HSP brain different?

HSPs have a variant of the serotonin transporter encoding gene, known as 5-HTTLPR. The 5-HTTLPR gene variant decreases serotonin in the brain and increases sensitivity to surroundings. The HS brain may have less mood-stabilizing serotonin than the non-HS brain, but it has an enhanced ability to learn from experience.

What happens in the brain of a highly sensitive person?

Highly sensitive people activate brain areas to a greater extent to interpret in great depth and detail the information of the affective and emotional states of the people around them, especially those close to them.

What percent of people are HSP?

I am a highly sensitive person (HSP), a term coined by the clinical psychologist Elaine Aron in 1991 to describe a personality trait that is present in 15 to 30% of the population, approximately 80 million women and men across the United States.

Why life is so hard for HSP?

HSPs become overwhelmed when they have too much to accomplish – highly sensitive people struggle to stay to task when they are juggling many different things. Their anxiety level rises and, as their stress level increases, the have more difficulty being productive.

Why being an HSP is a good thing?

However, there are also benefits to being highly sensitive, especially in the right environment or with support. Some advantages include having a rich inner life and showing increased empathy. Being highly sensitive can also offer strengths in relationships and depth in processing information.

How rare is highly sensitive person?

It is believed that HSPs are not rare, and that about 15-20% of the population are thought to be an HSP. There are also thought to be no significant differences in sex, with equal numbers of males and females being an HSP. Being an HSP is an innate trait, with biologists finding high sensitivity in over 100 species.

Do highly sensitive people have better memory?

We found that the more sensitive individuals showed stronger resting-state brain connectivity indicative of greater memory and higher-order deliberative processing. This study advances our understanding of the highly sensitive brain's central features.

Does childhood trauma cause HSP?

Trauma affects highly sensitive and intense people more intensely. Like any other of your reactions to stimuli, as a highly sensitive person (HSP) your trauma reactions are also more intense than most. As a result, many HSPs have used trauma splitting, or structural dissociation, as a way to cope.

What do highly sensitive people struggle with?

Living with High Sensitivity

HSPs may struggle to adapt to new circumstances, may demonstrate seemingly inappropriate emotional responses in social situations, and may easily become uncomfortable in response to light, sound, or certain physical sensations.

Are all highly sensitive people gifted?

Giftedness is said to occur in 3% of the population, however, so even if most gifted people are highly sensitive, highly sensitive people are not always gifted since they are 20% of the population. Giftedness, too, seems to come in many forms so that I hesitate to categorize people as gifted or not gifted.

Is a highly sensitive child gifted?

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.

Is HSP linked to ADHD?

The Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) scale and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) were administered to a non-clinical group of 274 participants recruited from a university volunteers list. We found a highly significant positive correlation between number of self-reported ADHD traits and sensory sensitivity.

Which personality type is most likely to be HSP?

Most HSPs are either INFJs or INFPs — the ones that don't tend to be ENFJs or ENFPs. Whether you're one or both, it's important to know what stresses you, what overstimulates you and what makes you feel calm, relaxed and happy.

Is HSP emotional intelligence high?

HSPs have several advantages when it comes to emotional intelligence, including — based on what's called the “mixed model” — being particularly good when it comes to empathy, active listening, and social-awareness.

What kind of partner does a HSP need?

A verbal safe haven: HSPs thrive in relationships where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Since highly sensitive people feel things more deeply than most, their feelings often get hurt more quickly than others'. HSPs thrive in relationships where they feel seen, heard, and valued.

What are the secret superpowers of highly sensitive people?

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.

Are HSPs also empaths?

Most HSPs are empaths, and vice-versa, but this is not necessarily the case. Additionally, many confuse both of these traits as introversion. About 70% of HSPS are introverts, meaning a good number are actually extroverts. However, an introvert is not necessarily highly sensitive or an empath.

Do highly sensitive people get tired easily?

There are a lot of reasons for this since everything can be overwhelming for a highly sensitive person. Some reasons you might be tired include: absorbing people's emotions, exerting too much energy or focus, ignoring your own boundaries, holding back your authenticity, too little sleep, constantly being “on” and more.

Do HSP need more sleep?

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.

How do highly sensitive people survive?

Are HSPs more sensitive with age?

Stress & Sensitivity Can Worsen With Age for HSPs. Here's How to Prevent That. If you are a highly sensitive person (HSP) you might be growing larger stress centers in your brain without even knowing it, and if you don't do anything about it, they will become even bigger.

What hurts a highly sensitive person?

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.

Why was I born a highly sensitive person?

HSPs have a variant of this gene (officially called 5-HTTLPR). The 5-HTTLPR gene variant increases sensitivity to surroundings and is associated with learning from experience. The presence of the gene enhances the effects of both good and adverse childhood experiences.

Should HSP live alone?

Alone Time Helps HSPs Process Life

And nearly 30 percent of the population is highly sensitive, so it's not as uncommon as people think. When you're highly in tune with everything (and everyone) around you, it's natural to become overstimulated — and easily overwhelmed.

Can highly sensitive people be good parents?

You are a responsive parent

There's good news if you are a highly sensitive parent – you usually make very good parents. You might be more sensitive to things ^​4​. But it also means that you recognize what makes your child special and unique. You can sense your child's needs and respond quickly.

Why is HSP sensitive criticism?

HSPs are high in a personality trait called sensory-processing sensitivity or SPS, due to which they react so strongly to external and internal stimuli. They are more affected by violence, tensions or feelings of overwhelm and mostly try to avoid situations where such things could occur.

Why is HSP misunderstood?

Highly sensitive people are often a misunderstood group. Many believe all HSPs are women, mistake high sensitivity with introversion, or see HSPs as more outwardly emotional than the average person.

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.

Do HSPs take longer to process things?

Because HSPs' brains are wired differently, the way they process information and come to a decision is different from people who don't have high SPS. They take more time making decisions, and can feel overwhelmed when asked to make a particularly tough one.

What happens when a highly sensitive person grows up with emotional neglect?

In the emotionally neglectful family, the HSP learns they are overly emotional. They don't know that their emotions are personal expressions of who they are. Instead, they learn that they are different, damaged, weak, and wrong.

How do highly sensitive people restore their energy?

HSP's need a lot more time to rest and recover from the stimuli of everyday life. Meditation helps in quieting the mind and calming those racing thoughts. For some, meditation can seem really intimidating, but it can be as simple as sitting and daydreaming for a few minutes a day.

Are highly sensitive people immature?

Thinking that HSPs lack emotional maturity

Because of this, we can be labeled as “overly emotional” or “emotionally immature.” However, this couldn't be further from the truth! First, our emotions are valid — just because others do not feel as deeply as HSPs doesn't make our emotions any less real.

Why is HSP so good?

HSPs care deeply about their friends and tend to form deep bonds with people. Again, the empathy that a highly sensitive person brings to the table is a powerful tool for being a supportive friend and loved one. You may be grateful for the life you have.

What is the best job for HSP?

What is the superpower of highly sensitive people?

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.

How much sleep do HSPs need?

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.

Do HSPs make good leaders?

HSPs know they possess some critically important traits that can make them effective organizational or team leaders. They feel a responsibility to their co-workers, colleagues, or companions to accept this type of challenge when they're certain they can get the job done.

Are HSPs good parents?

There's good news if you are a highly sensitive parent – you usually make very good parents. You might be more sensitive to things ^​4​. But it also means that you recognize what makes your child special and unique. You can sense your child's needs and respond quickly.

Does HSP have good memory?

In addition to being great listeners, highly sensitive people also have excellent memories. They remember all the details, especially those they believe are important to their companions and to their relationships. HSPs are the type who will remember all anniversaries and special observances.