The Highly Sensitive Person: Strengths and Why It Works

The experience of being a highly sensitive person is common, but not well understood. According to Dr. Elaine Aron, leading researcher in the field, highly sensitive people exist on a continuum of severity but all hold in common four qualities. They process everything very deeply, tend to be overstimulated, have a greater emotional reactivity and empathy and heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as light, smells and sounds.

Additional qualities of a the highly sensitive person include, difficulty ‘tuning things out,’ easily overwhelmed, low risk taking, need for quiet, can cry easier then others, struggle with decision making, pay attention to details and tend to people please.

Often times the highly sensitive person is seen as problematic, that their responses are abnormal and extreme. In truth, the highly sensitive person has many strengths. How can you make this personality style work for you?

Nurturing Environments. HSP do best in these types of environments. Consider creating seeking out a nurturing environment for your home, relationships and career.

In Tune with Needs. HSP tend to be highly in tune with the needs of others. Use this strength to your advantage particularly in career choice. Try to find a path that will support you utilizing this trait, such as teaching, counseling, music, art or the medical field.

Avoid your Triggers. If you know what sets you off, whether it be people, places, experiences, etc. do your best to avoid them when possible. Avoidance is not always possible, so when you know you may be in a situation that triggers you, do your best to plan ahead on how you will cope.

Daily Downtime. This is important because HSP are more at risk of becoming overwhelmed. Downtime helps to recharge, reset and regain focus to keep moving through the day.

Express your Passion. When highly sensitive people feel passionate about something, it is hard to hide. A helpful way to channel this passion can be through speaking, teaching or simply sharing with friends and family. People learn better when their teachers are passionate about what they do.

Deep Conversations. Highly sensitive people prefer to have deep meaningful conversations versus surface level discussions. Many relationships and environments both support and seek out these types of interactions, find ones that you can be a part of.

Problem Solving. Highly sensitive people will walk away from conversations and continue to think about them. This can serve as a strength as long as it does not turn into rumination. Often times HSP will walk away from their thinking with new answers or ideas.

Caring. The ability to care for others can go a long way, both for the highly sensitive person and those on the receiving end. Feeling genuinely cared for is a priceless experience. The ability to care is an admirable quality to hold onto.

Good Judgment of Character. The highly sensitive person has a deep need to understand hence their desire for depth and substance. This allows for genuine connection and understanding with others.

Learn more about the Highly Sensitive Person from Dr. Elaine Aron here: http://hsperson.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a highly sensitive person?

A highly sensitive person (HSP) processes information deeply, notices subtle details, and reacts more strongly to sights, sounds and emotions. Researcher Dr. Elaine Aron describes it as an inborn temperament trait, not a disorder.

What are the strengths of being highly sensitive?

Highly sensitive people are often empathetic, caring, thoughtful problem solvers and good judges of character. They tend to enjoy deep conversations and bring real passion to the things they care about.

How can a highly sensitive person avoid feeling overwhelmed?

Build in daily downtime, limit known triggers like noise or crowded schedules, create a calm environment at home, and pay attention to needs such as rest and food before they become urgent.

Is being highly sensitive the same as anxiety?

No. High sensitivity is a temperament, while anxiety is a mental health condition. They can overlap, and highly sensitive people may be more prone to stress when overstimulated, so it helps to know the difference.

Can therapy help a highly sensitive person?

Yes. A therapist can help you understand your sensitivity, manage overstimulation, set boundaries and use your strengths with confidence. Fox Valley Institute offers counseling in Naperville and by telehealth across Illinois. Call (630) 718-0717 to get started.