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Humanity Healing University
Highly Sensitive People
Highly Sensitive People
We've learned Highly Sensitive People or HSP make up 15% to 20% of the population. Highly Sensitive People are also sometimes referred to as Ultra Sensitive People, Super Sensitive People, or People with "Overexcitabilities." HSP's nervous systems are different and are more sensitive to subtleties in their environment, which can be a good or bad thing. And because they process and reflect upon incoming information so deeply, they are more likely to become over stimulated and overwhelmed than Non-HSP.
It is in Highly Sensitive People's nature to "pause-to-check" and not to rush into new or different situations, but rather to proceed much more cautiously than their Non-HSP counterparts.
The trait of Highly Sensitivity causes them to process and reflect upon incoming information very deeply. It is not that they are "afraid," but that it's in their nature to process incoming information so deeply. Highly Sensitive People may even sometimes need until the next day to have had enough time to process the information fully, reflect upon it, and formulate their response. The trait of High Sensitivity can be viewed as having both positive as well as negative characteristics, and it is a valid and normal trait and is not a "disorder."
On the positive side, and there is a big positive side, we have learned Highly Sensitive People have wonderful imaginations, are very creative, curious, and are known for being very hard workers, great organizers and problem solvers. They are known for being extremely conscientious and meticulous. HSP are blessed with being exceptionally intuitive, caring, compassionate and spiritual. They are also blessed with an incredible aesthetic awareness and appreciation for nature, music and the arts.
Being hypersensitive could be described as being allergic to life. For the highly sensitive person (HSP) a seemingly ordinary day can be overwhelming. Even the most subtle of stimulants a person encounters on a daily basis can be over-stimulating. Energies associated with touch, noise, scent, light, etc. are often too quickly or deeply absorbed by the HSP. As a result, the HSP may become mentally confused, emotionally upset, and/or physically uncomfortable. Hypersensitivity is also associated with a heightened sense of awareness and intuition. This makes being a HSP or empath a two-way street.
Help for the Highly Sensitive Person
Life can become manageable for the HSP. There are a number of ways the HSP can protect himself from harmful energies that interfere with the joys life can offer. Although avoidance may seem like the best response, it really is the worst action to take. Becoming a recluse, choosing to avoid encountering harmful stimuli is not the answer. The point of living on the planet is to evolve your soul/personality. Spiritual growth is nearly impossible to do without involvement and contact with other people. This means that anyone with a sensitive nature must learn how to survive out in the world amidst energies (or energy drains) that are problematic to them.
- nything that is absorbed by the body or psyche may cause havoc to anyone. But, to the HSP, the risk is much higher. Whatever is eaten, breathed in, absorbed through the skin, or even picked up by the aura or remains lingering in the human energy field may bring about an adverse effect. The HSP will quickly learn which foods, scents, and people cause symptoms of unease.
Shielding and Self Protection
Self protection and shielding are tools that help make living among harmful stimulants
Sensitivity to Foods and Smells
Luckily, everyone has control over what food is eaten. Identifying troublesome foods and eliminating foods from your diet can be accomplished through diet modification. Scents, on the other hand, are not as easily avoided. Perfumes and scented cleansers are commonly known irritants, but there are many more chemical-based products we are exposed to on a daily basis that can be harmful to the hypersensitive individual.
Healers and Hypersensitivity
A healer with empathic tendencies can use this ability as a diagnostic tool, helping him to better relate to the symptoms and pain of his clients. An empathic healer is trained to recognize the pain he takes on is temporary and will quickly release it once he has gathered the useful information.Pearl S. Buck, (1892-1973), recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, said the following about Highly Sensitive People:
"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him... a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.![Highly Sensitive Person]()
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - - - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating." -Pearl S. Buck
"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him... a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - - - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating." -Pearl S. Buck
We have found there is also a strong correlation between the trait of High Sensitivity and being "Gifted." It is probably not incorrect to say that although not all Highly Sensitive People are Gifted, all Gifted people are HSP. And, Dr. Dabroski's "OE" theory is that people born with overexcitabilites have a higher level of "development potential" than others and that overexcitabilities feed, enrich, empower and amplify their talents.
We hope you'll recognize that the trait of High Sensitivity is a gift and blessing, albeit a gift that can come with a hefty price tag. But, a gift we hope you'll come to realize is worth every penny of the price.
We hope you'll recognize that the trait of High Sensitivity is a gift and blessing, albeit a gift that can come with a hefty price tag. But, a gift we hope you'll come to realize is worth every penny of the price.
As we have come to know, Highly Sensitive People's systems are very porous, meaning that external stimuli seems to be more directly absorbed into their bodies. (It has been said that it is as if HSP "have no skin" to protect them from these outside stimuli.) Non-HSP generally are less porous and have natural defenses which defuse external stimuli thereby not directly impacting and overloading their nervous systems.
Another way to think about this is to visualize the curve on a chart: At the point where the Non-HSP would have little or no stimulation, the HSP would be somewhat stimulated. Where Non-HSP would be somewhat stimulated, the HSP would be pretty well stimulated. And, where the Non-HSP is well stimulated, the HSP may be reaching, or might have already reached, a state of being over stimulated, over aroused and overwhelmed, which may manifest itself in Highly Sensitive People as getting upset, frazzled or even angry, needing to get away, or possibly "shutting down" and becoming unable to function.
We have also learned that although many Highly Sensitive People are introverts, reserved, quiet or shy, there is a percentage that are high sensation seekers, or extroverts. So, if you've ever felt you were all alone in having these overwhelming feelings and the need to seek solitude and sanctuary, we hope you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and that you will benefit from some of the suggestions we present here.
Tip: From our experience and observations, we have found that Highly Sensitive People function much better and benefit greatly from having and sticking to a regular set routine. The daily routine we would recommend includes proper diet and nutrition, exercise, meditation, prayer or other spiritual practice, and very importantly, getting enough rest and sleep.
If what we are saying here resonates with you, or sounds like someone in your life.We also have learned a great deal from psychologist, Carl G. Jung'sPsychological Types, Dr. John M. Oldham's Sensitive Personality Style, and Dr. Kazimierz Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration and Overexcitabilities.
The trait of Highly Sensitivity causes them to process and reflect upon incoming information very deeply. It is not that they are "afraid," but that it is in their nature to process incoming information so deeply. Highly Sensitive People may even sometimes need until the next day to have had enough time to process the information fully, reflect upon it, and formulate their response. The trait of High Sensitivity can be viewed as having both positive as well as negative characteristics, and it is a valid and normal trait and is not a "disorder."
We hope you'll recognize that the trait of High Sensitivity is a gift and blessing, albeit a gift that can come with a hefty price tag. But, a gift we hope you'll come to realize is worth every penny of the price.
Another way to think about this is to visualize the curve on a chart: At the point where the Non-HSP would have little or no stimulation, the HSP would be somewhat stimulated. Where Non-HSP would be somewhat stimulated, the HSP would be pretty well stimulated. And, where the Non-HSP is well stimulated, the HSP may be reaching, or might have already reached, a state of being over stimulated, over aroused and overwhelmed, which may manifest itself in Highly Sensitive People as getting upset, frazzled or even angry, needing to get away, or possibly "shutting down" and becoming unable to function.
So, if you've ever felt you were all alone in having these overwhelming feelings and the need to seek solitude and sanctuary, we hope you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and that you will benefit from some of the suggestions we present here.
Another way to think about this is to visualize the curve on a chart: At the point where the Non-HSP would have little or no stimulation, the HSP would be somewhat stimulated. Where Non-HSP would be somewhat stimulated, the HSP would be pretty well stimulated. And, where the Non-HSP is well stimulated, the HSP may be reaching, or might have already reached, a state of being over stimulated, over aroused and overwhelmed, which may manifest itself in Highly Sensitive People as getting upset, frazzled or even angry, needing to get away, or possibly "shutting down" and becoming unable to function.
We have also learned that although many Highly Sensitive People are introverts, reserved, quiet or shy, there is a percentage that are high sensation seekers, or extroverts. So, if you've ever felt you were all alone in having these overwhelming feelings and the need to seek solitude and sanctuary, we hope you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and that you will benefit from some of the suggestions we present here.
Tip: From our experience and observations, we have found that Highly Sensitive People function much better and benefit greatly from having and sticking to a regular set routine. The daily routine we would recommend includes proper diet and nutrition, exercise, meditation, prayer or other spiritual practice, and very importantly, getting enough rest and sleep.
If what we are saying here resonates with you, or sounds like someone in your life.We also have learned a great deal from psychologist, Carl G. Jung'sPsychological Types, Dr. John M. Oldham's Sensitive Personality Style, and Dr. Kazimierz Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration and Overexcitabilities.
Cautiousness of Highly Sensitive People
It is in Highly Sensitive People's nature to "pause-to-check" and not to rush into new or different situations, but rather to proceed much more cautiously than their Non-HSP counterparts.The trait of Highly Sensitivity causes them to process and reflect upon incoming information very deeply. It is not that they are "afraid," but that it is in their nature to process incoming information so deeply. Highly Sensitive People may even sometimes need until the next day to have had enough time to process the information fully, reflect upon it, and formulate their response. The trait of High Sensitivity can be viewed as having both positive as well as negative characteristics, and it is a valid and normal trait and is not a "disorder."
Hypersensitiviy and Intuition
On the positive side, and there is a big positive side, we have learned Highly Sensitive People have wonderful imaginations, are very creative, curious, and are known for being very hard workers, great organizers and problem solvers. They are known for being extremely conscientious and meticulous. HSP are blessed with being exceptionally intuitive, caring, compassionate and spiritual. They are also blessed with an incredible aesthetic awareness and appreciation for nature, music and the arts.Pearl S. Buck, (1892-1973), recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, said the following about Highly Sensitive People:
"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this:
A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him... a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - - - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating." -Pearl S. Buck
All Gifted People Are HSP
We have found there is also a strong correlation between the trait of High Sensitivity and being "Gifted." It is probably not incorrect to say that although not all Highly Sensitive People are Gifted, all Gifted people are HSP. And, Dr. Dabroski's "OE" theory is that people born with overexcitabilites have a higher level of "development potential" than others and that overexcitabilities feed, enrich, empower and amplify their talents.We hope you'll recognize that the trait of High Sensitivity is a gift and blessing, albeit a gift that can come with a hefty price tag. But, a gift we hope you'll come to realize is worth every penny of the price.
Porous Systems
As we have come to know, Highly Sensitive People's systems are very porous, meaning that external stimuli seems to be more directly absorbed into their bodies. (It has been said that it is as if HSP "have no skin" to protect them from these outside stimuli.) Non-HSP generally are less porous and have natural defenses which defuse external stimuli thereby not directly impacting and overloading their nervous systems.Another way to think about this is to visualize the curve on a chart: At the point where the Non-HSP would have little or no stimulation, the HSP would be somewhat stimulated. Where Non-HSP would be somewhat stimulated, the HSP would be pretty well stimulated. And, where the Non-HSP is well stimulated, the HSP may be reaching, or might have already reached, a state of being over stimulated, over aroused and overwhelmed, which may manifest itself in Highly Sensitive People as getting upset, frazzled or even angry, needing to get away, or possibly "shutting down" and becoming unable to function.
HSP's Experience Feelings of Overwhelm
We have also learned that although many Highly Sensitive People are introverts, reserved, quiet or shy, there is a percentage that are high sensation seekers, or extroverts. And, although they seek adventure they also get overloaded and become over stimulated with the same results as the rest of the HSP.So, if you've ever felt you were all alone in having these overwhelming feelings and the need to seek solitude and sanctuary, we hope you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and that you will benefit from some of the suggestions we present here.
Tip: From our experience and observations, we have found that Highly Sensitive People function much better and benefit greatly from having and sticking to a regular set routine. The daily routine we would recommend includes proper diet and nutrition, exercise, meditation, prayer or other spiritual practice, and very importantly, getting enough rest and sleep.
Jim & Amy Hallowes
About Contributors : Jim and Amy Hallowes are a happily married couple, one Highly Sensitive the other a Non-HSP. Over the last five or six years from deep study, interviews and research they have become "Layman Experts" on the subject of Highly Sensitive People.
About Contributors : Jim and Amy Hallowes are a happily married couple, one Highly Sensitive the other a Non-HSP. Over the last five or six years from deep study, interviews and research they have become "Layman Experts" on the subject of Highly Sensitive People.
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