A sensory processing disorder is characterized by a highly
sensitive person (HSP). An HSP experiences strong emotions during stressful
situations, feels other people's emotions, and reacts to physical stimuli such
as bright lights.
What Is a Highly Sensitive Person?
A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone who is overly
sensitive to certain internal or external stimuli. This is known as sensory
processing sensitivity (SPS) and can cause strong reactions to emotional,
social, and physical stimuli.
The term "highly sensitive person" was coined in
1996 by psychologists Elaine Aron and Arthur Aron. They also developed the
Highly Sensitive Person Scale, which uses a questionnaire to assess sensory
processing disorder.
Causes of High Sensitivity
A highly sensitive or sensory sensitive person may have a
more reactive central nervous system. Some people may have a more sensitive
brain, or they may have autism or ADHD, which causes them to be more sensitive.
Characteristics of a Highly Sensitive Person
While individual characteristics vary, there are a few
common experiences. These are some examples:
1. Avoidance: A highly sensitive individual may avoid
stimuli that elicit strong feelings or reactions. This could include tense social
situations or media, such as violent movies, that make them feel threatened or
scared.
2. Exhaustion: HSPs frequently have low energy levels during
the day. They may require additional self-care or downtime to recover from
social interactions or other activities.
3. Deep inner feelings: A highly sensitive person will
frequently identify as an introvert or empath with a rich inner life.
Introverts may find it difficult to interact with extroverts, and they may also
experience neuroticism. They may believe that because of their complicated
inner lives, alone time is preferable to being around others.
4. Physical reactivity: HSPs may react strongly to physical
stimuli such as bright lights or loud noises. As a survival strategy,
overstimulation from sensory input or environmental stimuli can cause stress or
trigger a fear response.
5. Strong emotions: A highly sensitive person may feel
emotions more intensely than others. This includes emotional reactions to both
positive and negative experiences. Emotional stimuli can cause extreme negative
emotions that affect their mental health or negatively impact their overall
well-being.
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