Mind Matters

mindset Advice

ARE YOU A ‘HIGHLY SENSITIVE PERSON’ (HSP)

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?

This might seem a strange way to title an article, and I suppose it is really, but nonetheless, I bet there are quite a few of you reading this thinking “well, actually, yes, I think I am!” By ‘Highly Sensitive Person’ (HSP), I am referring specifically to a personality type identified by Dr Elaine Aron in her research which began in 1991, rather than to people who simply feel they are sensitive. The questionnaire to determine someone’s true status can be found on her website www.hsperson.com Generally, a HSP will be more aware of subtleties in their environment and in the moods and needs of others. They will be more bothered by high levels of stimulation such as crowds, loud noises or chaos around them and they are usually very thoughtful and observant, often needing time alone to process their thoughts and feelings. About 70% of HSP are introverts. On average for every 5 people who read this, one of you will be highly sensitive. It is important to point out at this stage that being a HSP is not a negative thing, it is simply a personality type, and many people who learn how to understand and harness their sensitivity will thrive and even start to see it as somewhat of a super-power.

But why am I talking about this?

The reason is, that I work predominantly in the mental health sector, and since the start of the pandemic, I have noticed that a large majority of my clients are HSP, despite HSP making up only 20% of the population. This led me to think that HSP may need more support to thrive in the modern world than non-HSP. I subsequently discovered that Dr Aron herself found in 2010 that 50% of people seeking support with mental health are HSP. Based on my experience in 2020 and 2021 however, I would say it could be a lot higher than this right now.

Why is this the case?

The reason for this trend is firstly because the world just isn’t structured to suit the minority in any category. Disabled access to schools and workplaces is still not available as standard in the UK, so it is hardly a surprise that the world isn’t structured to suit the HSP minority, and nor will it ever be. Secondly, the restrictions and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic have destabilised the structures and support networks which HSP depend on more than others, thus affecting them more, and further increasing the number and percentage of HSP seeking help with their mental health. Unfair as this seems, society simply will not address this situation, and it is down to the individuals to seek further knowledge and help to enable themselves to thrive. I would recommend that all readers of this article take the questionnaire on Dr Aron’s website, and then, if you are a HSP (you can test your children too), to educate yourself on what this means for you and how you can use it to your advantage using the many resources outlined on her website. This can bring almost immediate relief to your life. If you have any questions at all then please get in touch with me through my website or you can join the many HSP communities available to you online. Remember, the first stage in helping yourself is empowerment through knowledge; ignorance is not bliss. It has been a tough 18 months for all of us, particularly the HSP, so the time to act is now.

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