Are you a HSP? Highly sensitive person?

[HSP2022]

Apparently 20% of people are classified as a highly sensitive person.

I'm certain I fit the criteria but do any of you?

Is there a way to get absolute clarification?

Do you just accept that's how you are or have you been able to change aspects so you are not as highly sensitive to certain things?

I must be a highly insensitive person because all those traits just seem irritating

I haven't read the whole thread. I am 100% certain that one of my dc would put themselves into this category and although they are now a young adult I am doing what I can to help them "grow out of it". Being around people who think they are special in some way is tedious for others. I am slightly in the get a grip and deal with it camp - because what else is there?

Yes, those will be LSP - Less Sensitive People. LSPs love a bit of the old ultra violence, can’t for the life of them give a shit about anyone else, and love being starving hungry and being in noisy overwhelming environments. Don’t bother taking them to an art gallery - they simply don’t have the ability to enjoy art.

It’s not just having a personality, they are HSP & LSP. There’s also MSP - medium sensitive people.

For struggles with sensory things I strongly recommend the book Too Fast, Too Tight, Too Loud, Too Bright.

And if you think you might be neurodivergent, finding a neurodivergent community is helpful as well to share experiences. There is a neurodiversity board on MN although it seems to only be for autistic people.

I don't think the HSP label is helpful, for the reasons a lot of people on here said. I have found understanding my neurodiversity (ADHD) immensely helpful and validating, it has calmed me so much and alleviated stress and anxiety now that I can work with myself instead of against. It's not perfect - I am a long way off finding the right medication for example. I think I also may have a mild form of sensory processing disorder as I do struggle a bit with some of the physical sensitivities - temperature, noise, smell and texture in particular.

Lots of highly insensitive people have been triggered by this thread 😁

Oh god not this wank again

If there's a bell curve of a trait called 'sensitivity' then 20% of people will be at one end of it.

What do you want from the label? That's probably the key question.

I think people get pissed off with self diagnosed stuff like this because, literally everyone has their own shit to deal with, and they don't want to also have to tiptoe around some random person's HSP or whatever.

Couldn’t agree more. My experience is that “highly sensitive people” expect everyone else to empathise with them because they are “so, so special.” I often find myself walking on eggshells around such people, yet the same consideration does not seem to be extended to me. There are many, many times that h.s.p will tell me all about themselves without thinking to ask me about myself. If h.s.p are upset they will very often blame their “mental health.” Most people, barring psychopaths, are empathetic to a greater or lesser extent but most of us do not feel the need to go around telling other people about it but go about our daily lives trying to help others where we can, feeling upset at distressing news and appreciating beauty when we see it. The difference is that we do not feel the need to tell everyone. I assume that the most h.s.p of the lot is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

@HSP2022

Yes, I know several. I refer to them as arseholes: AHP

I can see the OP avoiding replying to this thread when there are so many awful comments.

The difference is that we do not feel the need to tell everyone. I assume that the most h.s.p of the lot is Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

Somebody could post a thread saying ‘my neighbour microwaved my hamster and pissed on my roses AIBU?’ And one poster would find some bizarre reason to say ‘I bet MM does that though, except she probably boils the hamsters alive!!’ The obsessional hatred of that woman is disturbing.

I think the Sistine Chapel screamer was probably a Highly Sensitive Person, poor lamb.

I’m sure she understands our feelings though. Probably better than we do.

I'm the opposite of a highly sensitive person according to this test. What's that? A pyschopath?

This really made me laugh!

I wonder why, given that she seems so strong and determined in personality.

She has written loads of replies and is doing a really good job of not rising to the bullying comments and those that are trying to wind her up.

Ahh yes fair reading it back I can see why it rubbed some people up the wrong way. I wrote it in a rush trying to be extra conscious of not being too negative, but obviously had the opposite effect.

I also do not outwardly called myself a HSP in person to friends/ family/ acquaintances. It was a term that was given to me by my therapist, ex-boss (lovely person) and family members (with a more negative connotation).

Apologies to the OP who I was trying to support, seems I may have had the opposite impact! But for my two cents, I think it definitely exists, probably stems from childhood trauma and can be life limiting. But I think it’s great to learn about to better understand yourself, your triggers and to work on self-compassion. There’s some great resources out there

Hi OP, my DD is highly sensitive. Finds everything stressful, worrying. It always jumping out of her skin. Very easily upset. Can’t deal with decision making, is always scared or anxious about something in her environment. Am certain it is hereditary. Her DF is very anxious too. She also just got diagnosed with autism. I feel so sorry for her in general though as ordinary daily life is a constant source of angst. If I could do anything to help her build her resilience I would but it feels impossible. She has so many phobias. I don’t know why people on here are being so unsympathetic. No one would choose to be like this.

Dont be silly, I am saying its funny how introverts love to shout how introverted they are. You see it on here all the time

That’s not very open minded at all. It makes culturally biased assumptions in the examples that, if anything, undermine the point of the message.

The idea that sensitivity makes you more prone to avoiding saying something hurtful to someone is not sound. Kindness is the opposite of cruelty, not sensitivity. People don’t have to lack sensitivity to not care about others. They just have to not be that bothered about others’ feelings. People who are sensitive to how others perceive a comment or action can be much more effective at being casually cruel than people who aren’t.

And the idea that you are sensitive if you remove spiders and insensitive if you kill them is an illustration of a lack of tolerance for difference in world view that is nothing to do with sensitivity but rather a philosophy of life. People can value the idea of all (animal) life being valuable or sacred, or think of insects as being on a similar pegging with vegetables regardless of their sensitivity. (Both would do better to leave the spider in the house as there is nothing particularly loving or empathetic about evicting a creature that probably has a lot of its life invested in its home).

Took me a while to read through to that post but that is shocking!

Op I’ve read the stuff about being a HSP and I relate to it a lot. I’m not sure I need the label or agree it’s a specific category however it is a useful concept for understanding characteristics about yourself and a sensitivity.

I have tried to adapt my life to make it more manageable for my character. Eg I try to have quiet/down time, I wear head phones if I’m somewhere too loud or need to zone out etc. I find I like challenging situation and environments but only mixed with easy/calm periods and I struggle very quickly if I’m over tired etc.

You have read far too much into my lighthearted comment! Open minded, in that the poster I quoted didn't ridicule or belittle the OP, even though they themselves didn't identify with the subject. Open minded in that they considered the subject rather than dismissing it.

an ability to understand what other people need, and be helpful and kind to them: e.g.
The police showed commendable sensitivity in their handling of the case.

Cambridge dictionary. Depends which dictionary you use, I suppose. I was extrapolating that out to animals