Highly Sensitive Person

[chica]

Hello all! I'm new to this forum!  

How many of you have heard of being HSP, or a highly sensitive person? This is a book called the "Highly Sensitive Person" by Dr. Aron, but I have yet to read it. I've read some excerpts and looked up some websites about high sensitivity, and they've been mind-blowing for me.

Basically, being HSP means that you are more sensitive to stimuli. This can be emotional or physical (like sounds and light).

I always felt like I was strange because I always seemed to be more bothered than my friends by little things. Even as a child, I remember being highly sensitive to emotions (I remember that when I noticed my mom seeming slightly sad, I felt incredibly sad too). I was also a bit of a hypochondriac and worried about tiny things from a very young age (I remember crying hysterically about thinking that I would have to get surgery after swallowing a hair, crying about the possibility of the hair of my baby doll losing its curls)...I was a strange child, I know.  

I was identified as "gifted" in my school. I'm very modest about this, but I guess I would consider that I have talents in the arts. I really enjoy singing, playing the guitar, writing, and drawing. I've always been a very good student and very diligent. However, when I'm not prepared or when I have too much going on, I get very overwhelmed.

I also would say that I'm very caring, but I take on others' emotions as my own, so it's difficult to always be supportive like I want to. I note when someone is sad or mad, even if it doesn't deal with me, and I feel it. I also tend to get too serious in relationships too quickly. I think it's because I'm very feeling-based and I connect to people on a very deep level.

I've also needed alone-time, which is hard to get being a college student who lives in the dorms. I'm incredibly bothered by little sounds (tapping of a pencil, people talking when I'm trying to work, humming, etc.) Every little sound distracts me, like a mosquito buzzing by my ear. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by all the stimuli and I just want to shout or do something to get out my pent-up emotions. I need time alone with no sounds and distractions, because this is how I discharge stress. However, some people don't always understand this and they think that I'm cold, distant, or that I don't want to be around them (which isn't true!)

I have a very guilty conscience and am very aware of the problems of others. I also have a pretty upright sense of justice and become very upset when others are treated unfairly.

Are any of you like this? Before, I felt so alone because I felt like something was wrong with me for being like this. However, according to the book I mentioned above, about 15% of the population is HSP.

For those that can identity, how do you cope when you feel overwhelmed?

[acousticeagle]

I am also a highly sensitive person. I got E. Aron's book and it was revelatory - found out there was nothing 'wrong' with me, too. Finally I understood that my acute sensitivity to all stimulous whether human or atmospheric, etc. etc., someone had given a name to.

How do you cope when you feel overwhelmed? Well, I've found that alone time is good, and a time to let the things that may seem to demand your attention die down for a bit. Also I use tv and movie therapy. This might sound a bit odd, but if I can relax into a good movie or tv series, I forget about all introversion that may be connected with hypersensitivity for a while. Also, I find that I need comfort as I am very sensitive to heat and cold and degrees and types of light, whether natural or artificial light.

I've also joined an online group for some "I'm not the only one who feels this way" chat! To non-HSPs, you might seem a bit on the neurotic side, but it really does take one to know one. One person in my HSP group says being a HSP is like a blessing and a curse in the same time. But you do need to look after yourself more, I think.

[Nata Eames]

Most of my friends and myself are highly sensitive people. Infact, even though highly sensitive people are a minority (my personal estimation is about 5% of the population but that is not statistical), a lot of people who get deeply into psychology are highly sensitive and you will find a lot of such people here.

My observations are slightly different from the book. I use the term Emotionally Hypersensitive. Of course, being hypersensitive can be a very beautiful thing because such people feel the world much more and can see and understand things the average person cannot. But it does have its bad sides. It can lead to being overemotional, neurotic and unwilling to understand things because the world can hurt too much.

If you ask me, I would rather be the hypersensitive that I am and experience the world in all its many colors and suffer the pain of it as well, than not see all the beauty it can hold.

[acousticeagle]

(my personal estimation is about 5% of the population but that is not statistical),

I'm hardly going to take your personal estimation of anything, Ms Eames. I see that you have returned to the forum, though I have seen you here with other aliases. I'm not about to trouble myself being concerned over any of your posts, or respond to them, other than this.

According to Elaine Aron's book "The Highly Sensitive Person" the human population of people who are highly sensitive is around 25%. If you want to find out about this, I can recommend her book. But you're an expert on just about everything here, aren't you, Ms Eames?

[Nata Eames]

Acousticeagle,

Thanks so much for such a "warm" welcome back!

As for my estimation, I will repeat myself that this is not statistical, just my observation over the years.

I haven't had the time to fully read Aron's book, but I have gone through it and I saw that some things in it are over-generalized and I disagree that the percentage of Highly Sensitive people is as high as 25%.

In fact, my estimation in 2005 in one of my essays was 10% but I have understood since then that even that is too high a number. I never implied that I am an expert at everything but I know what I have seen.

What you have against me is truly a mystery to me, and whatever aliases you are talking about are as well. I have only returned home a week ago so if you have any information about someone impersonating me, since that has happened before, I would be very thankful if you send me the details into my inbox.

Otherwise, please refrain from trying to insult me in a public forum without any cause. I have the right to speak my mind and share my knowledge and observations, just like any other person.

[acousticeagle]

Ms Eames, well, that sounds all very sweet and innocent, but I am not fooled by people like you.
There is a pattern to your posts that include you always turning whatever topic anyone posts to make it about yourself. Then you attempt to qualify yourself with mentions of what is 'statistical' in an effort to make yourself sound authoritive, but always with some sort of throwaway disclaimer.

When you first arrived here at the forum, in quick succession in a very short time, you clocked up more than 700 posts, pouncing on every new topic, even old ones, posting something pithy and usually with some sort of disparaging negative comment on the topic, but always including something about 'yourself' - like it was some sort of competition for your narcissistic pleasure.

When you left, oh the sob story. Sorry but I didn't buy it. Nor will I buy anything you have to say here. Oh and when someone criticises you, you take their karma points (thanks for that btw, as if I give a toss).

So, go ahead, rant your rants, but what narcissists like you do is misunderestimate the intelligence of other people, while constantly bolstering up your own egos. No I will not refrain.

[Nata Eames]

Hahaha! Dear, I wasn't born yesterday, I see what you're trying to imply. But, turn it whatever way, I never did anything wrong.

Yes, I posted a lot. Is there a law against posting when you have something to say? Wait, then why is it called a forum?

Yes, I choose to share my experiences and knowledge. If the definition of that is egoism and narcissism, ok.

And I am highly opinionated about some things. If you expect me to be like the masses, a sheep following the flock, without my own views and ideas, that's too bad because I have a head on my shoulders.

And you haven't seen anything yet, I'm also a conspiracy theorist!!!

As for YOU, my dear, I never had anything against you, not a few months ago and not even now. I've been misunderstood a lot so I don't blame you. I've always admired your outspoken character but don't think for a second that everyone else around you will be quiet.

But please stop contradicting yourself. First you say that you won't bother about me coming back, yet I don't see you doing anything but that, including digging through my posts from 2010! And then saying that I always talk about myself. Dear, I replied to a comment you wrote about YOURSELF, on a thread where the poster specifically asked about US as if any of US are Highly Sensitive.

I see you've read a lot of my previous posts, kind of stalkery behavior, if you ask me. But if you had looked carefully, you would see that I never said anything I wasn't sure about or claimed anything false (unless I specifically said that it is my own opinion).

It is because of people like you, that I have to add a disclaimer to everything I say.

Really, I'm just a woman who wants to share what she knows, I don't know why you are acting so threatened by me and jumping at every word I write.

So once again, if you want to insult me, do so privately, instead of ruining my reputation due to your own past grudges. If I had said something in the past to offend you or insult your intelligence, I'm truly sorry. I honestly can't bring up a single instance when I have spoken with you on the forum before, I just recall your picture because I like eagles . I don't hold onto such useless things.

[S. Earl Martin]

acousticeagle: Stop being a jerk. What is your problem? From what I have seen you are the one who likes to make the posts about yourself. NataEames has been a positive influence to this sight and is someone I have enjoyed converseing with. Some of your posts I have found interesting, but this unwarrented attack is not justified.
"I'm not about to trouble myself being concerned over any of your posts, or respond to them, other than this."
So if you can't make any positive comments or if you don't like it here go somewhere else. Or is this some lame attempt at trying to look hypersensitive? I am sure you impressed Chica. She is trying to actually seek help about a problem and you make it a arguement about yourself and someone else.

[pljames]

Focus focus focus. I once was interoverted now I am extroverted. The problem was low self esteem. No more. I am happier being more friendly and outgoing than introverted and sensitive. I focus on others more than what they think of me. Life is a learning process not a finding fault process. Hope this helps. Thoughts please. pljames

Hello all! I'm new to this forum! 

How many of you have heard of being HSP, or a highly sensitive person? This is a book called the "Highly Sensitive Person" by Dr. Aron, but I have yet to read it. I've read some excerpts and looked up some websites about high sensitivity, and they've been mind-blowing for me.

Basically, being HSP means that you are more sensitive to stimuli. This can be emotional or physical (like sounds and light).

I always felt like I was strange because I always seemed to be more bothered than my friends by little things. Even as a child, I remember being highly sensitive to emotions (I remember that when I noticed my mom seeming slightly sad, I felt incredibly sad too). I was also a bit of a hypochondriac and worried about tiny things from a very young age (I remember crying hysterically about thinking that I would have to get surgery after swallowing a hair, crying about the possibility of the hair of my baby doll losing its curls)...I was a strange child, I know. 

I was identified as "gifted" in my school. I'm very modest about this, but I guess I would consider that I have talents in the arts. I really enjoy singing, playing the guitar, writing, and drawing. I've always been a very good student and very diligent. However, when I'm not prepared or when I have too much going on, I get very overwhelmed.

I also would say that I'm very caring, but I take on others' emotions as my own, so it's difficult to always be supportive like I want to. I note when someone is sad or mad, even if it doesn't deal with me, and I feel it. I also tend to get too serious in relationships too quickly. I think it's because I'm very feeling-based and I connect to people on a very deep level.

I've also needed alone-time, which is hard to get being a college student who lives in the dorms. I'm incredibly bothered by little sounds (tapping of a pencil, people talking when I'm trying to work, humming, etc.) Every little sound distracts me, like a mosquito buzzing by my ear. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by all the stimuli and I just want to shout or do something to get out my pent-up emotions. I need time alone with no sounds and distractions, because this is how I discharge stress. However, some people don't always understand this and they think that I'm cold, distant, or that I don't want to be around them (which isn't true!)

I have a very guilty conscience and am very aware of the problems of others. I also have a pretty upright sense of justice and become very upset when others are treated unfairly.

Are any of you like this? Before, I felt so alone because I felt like something was wrong with me for being like this. However, according to the book I mentioned above, about 15% of the population is HSP.

For those that can identity, how do you cope when you feel overwhelmed?