Identifying your sensitivity type
What kind of sensitive are you?
I learned the term HSP (Highly sensitive person) a few years ago, and suddenly so many things made sense (such as why I have such a high startle reflex, tend to absorb the emotions of others, and feel the obsessive need to people please, for example.)
A personality trait coined by psychologists in the 90s, the term describes someone with a deep sensitivity to the physical, emotional or social situations and information around them. Being a highly sensitive person can be a hereditary trait, but your environment and experiences as a child can also be contributing factors.
Understanding this concept can be helpful for self-awareness, as well as to help you better interact and accommodate for HSPs in your workplace.
I found the following Psychology Today article (see link below) particularly interesting – as it goes further to describe the 3 types of high sensitivity:
SUPER SENSOR: “If you’re what we call a super sensor, you are sensitive to the information you take in through your senses, such as sights, smells, sounds, and textures. This type of sensitivity determines, on the one hand, how attuned you are to your environment and, on the other, how quickly you become overstimulated.”
SUPER FEELER: “If you’re a super feeler, you easily respond to emotional stimuli, both from inside yourself and from others. This type of sensitivity often comes with an innate ability to read people, but it also means you may stress over details or struggle more with painful emotions.”
AESTHETE: “If you’re an aesthete, you pay close attention to details in your surroundings, especially artistic details. You have a special appreciation of art and beauty.”
If you think you’re an HSP, read the article to find out which type of sensitivity is most pronounced for you.
I’m a super feeler, and possess far fewer of the qualities of a super sensor and an aesthete. What about you?