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The term High Sensitivity became popular 1997 when American psychologist Elaine N. Aron published her bestselling book "The highly sensitive person". Hence the abbreviation HSP. Characteristics of a highly sensitive person 1. Perception: HSP perceive more and more in depth -    Above    average    perception    abilities    of    the    5 senses,    Ex:    Sensitive    to    loud    noises,    excellent sense     of     smell     &     taste,     Sensitivity     to     certain materials (clothing), etc. -     HSP     quickly     experience     overstimulation     (too many      impressions      have      to      be      processed) -   Some   HSP   perceive   thoughts,   auras   and   some   say they    can    communicate    with    the    dead    (working partly as a medium). 2.       Depth       of       processing:       HSP       process information more in depth - As a consequence, processing takes longer, costs more energy, but is  then also deepened. - A small remark during a conversation can keep a HSP mind busy for hours and days. 3. Emotionally thin-skinned - HSPs get hurt quickly - HSPs notice a lot of small things, for example the other person’s  mood or the mood in a group - HSPs often avoid conflicts and do a lot to preserve the harmony 4. Empathy -    Highly    sensitive    persons    often    have    a    highly developed sense of empathy. -   For   example,   they   suffer   more   from   seeing   other people's   suffering:   Some   HSP’s   have   a   hard   time watching   the   news,   or   aggression   in   movies,   etc.). On    the    other    hand,    HSP’s    also    can    partake    in someone   else’s   joy   more   intensely   (crying   during movies, emotional moments, etc.). 5. Self-perception As    the    environment    of    an    HSP    is    often    less sensitive   than   they   are,   the   HSP   adapts   to   it.   For this    purpose,    they    learn    to    focus    more    on    the outer   world   than   the   inner   world.   This   may   result in   a   diminished   ability   for   self-perception   (knowing their     inner     world).     Possible     consequences     are difficulties    to    formulate    your    own    needs    or    the tendency to overburden yourself until exhaustion. 5. Further specific talents - There are huge interpersonal differences as far as specific talents go - A lot of times high sensitivity goes hand in hand with a high IQ - Perception of Auras, “energy fields”, or other different perceptive phenomena -    Synesthesia     is    a    perceptual    phenomenon    in which    stimulation    of    one    sensory    or    cognitive pathway       leads       to       automatic,       involuntary              experiences    in    a    second    sensory    or    cognitive pathway,   f.ex.   seeing   colors   with   tastes,   or   seeing colors when hearing sounds. Therapy with a highly sensitive person Oftentimes   a   highly   sensitive   person   has   already spent   quite   a   bit   of   time   and   energy   thinking   about thir   issues.   Therefore,   it   is   crucial   to   learn   about their   thoughts   and   hypothesis   on   the   matter,   also what   a   person   might   already   have   to   tackle   the problem.   If   the   person   is   not   yet   aware   of   their high   sensitivity,   it   might   be   very   rewarding   to   take a   closer   look   at   the   phenomenon.   I   have   seen   it over   and   over   again   how   this   concept   has   helped people     understand     their     feelings,     actions     and perceptions       and       presented       them       a       new perspective on their identity. As   high   sensitivity   is   innate   and   cannot   be   changed per    se,    the    therapy    will    focus    more    on    self- acceptance        and       dealing       with       your       own boundaries.    By    strengthening    your    self-awareness and   learning   how   to   become   more   centered ,   you   will realize   how   far   beyond   your   own   boundaries   you might   have   operated   until   now.   Mindfulness   can be     practiced     and     encompasses     the     following levels:   Thoughts,   the   five   senses   (seeing,   hearing, smelling,     tasting,     touching),     body     sensations, feelings,    needs,    aversions    and    impulses.    One    of the   main   tasks   in   Gestalt   therapy   (and   not   just   for HSP)   is   communicating   in   an   appropriate   way   what you    want    and    what    you    do    not    want.    Another essential   aspect   of   therapy   with   a   highly   sensitive person    is    to    learn    strategies    to    prevent    over- stimulation . Adaption versus Authenticity I   like   working   with   my   models,   such   as   the   model of    ‘adaptation    versus    authenticity’.    It    looks    at individual      behavior      on      the      dimensions      of adaptation   and   authenticity.   In   other   words:   Are you   a   person   that   does   whatever   you   want   or   do you    always    consider    other    people’s    nees    before your    own?    Highly    sensitive    individuals    navigate oftentimes    on    the    extreme    left    of    this    polarity, towards   adaptation.   They   try   to   adapt   to   other’s expectations   so   much   that   they   feel   drained   and chronically    exhausted    as    a    result,    sometimes    to the    point    of    Burnout    and    Depression.    In    such cases,   adapting   has   become   second   nature   and   it is    not    surprising    that    those    affected    struggle    to express    their    own    needs    and    aversions.    Many HSPs   long   to   be   able   to   behave   as   their   true   self, and    imagine    it    would    be    quite    soothing.    In    a Psychotherapy    you    can    learn    how    to    develop    a better   sense   of   self,   including   feeling   and   acting more   self-determined   and   authentic.   Further   you can   find   out   how   to   attain   a   more   sustainable   and fulfilling life and energy balance. Adaption               Authenticity Focus on outer world            Focus on self Are you highly sensitive? 1.  I am easily overwhelmed by strong sensory      input. 2.  I seem to be aware of subtleties in my      environment. 3.  Other people’s moods affect me. 4.  I tend to be very sensitive to pain. 5.  I find myself needing to withdraw during busy      days,into bed or into a darkened room or any      place where I can have some privacy and relief      from stimulation. 6.  I am particularly sensitive to the effects of      caffeine. 7.  I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright      lights, strong smells,coarse fabrics,or sirens      close by. 8.  I have a rich,complex inner life. 9.  I am made uncomfortable by loud noises. 10. I am deeply moved by the arts or music. 11. My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled       that I just have to go off by myself. 12. I am conscientious. 13. I startle easily. 14. I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short       amount of time. 15. When people are uncomfortable in a physical       environment I tend to know what needs to be       done to make it more comfortable (like       changing the lighting or the seating). 16. I am annoyed when people try to get me to do       many things at once. 17. I try hard to avoid making mistakes or       forgetting things. 18. I make a point to avoid violent movies and TV       shows. 19. I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is       going on around me. 20. Being very hungry creates a strong reaction in       me, disrupting my concentration or mood. 21. Changes in my life shake me up. 22. I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents,       tastes, sounds, works of art. 23. I find it unpleasant to have a lot going on at       once. 24. I make it a high priority to arrange my life to       avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations. 25. I am bothered by intense stimuli, like loud       noises or chaotic scenes. 26. When I must compete or be observed while       performing a task, I become so nervous or       shaky that I do much worse than I would       otherwise. 27. When I was a child, my parents or teachers       seemed to see me as sensitive or shy. Results:   If   you   marked   more   than   14   statements as   appropriate,   you   probably   are   a   Highly   Sensitive person.     If     the     numbers     are     lower,     but     the statements   in   question   are   extremely   true,   then you   still   could   affected.   There   is   no   definitive   test, it    is    more    about    how    much    of    your    reality    this concept can explain for you. © 2000 Elaine N. Aron https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/ Links and Literature on HSP • All books by Elaine Aron, like “The highly sensitive person” Order here • “Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person: Improving Outcomes for That Minority of People Who Are the Majority of Clients” by Elaine N. Aron Order here • “Making    Work    Work    for    the    Highly    Sensitive Person” by Barrie Jaeger. Order here • Facebook groups: o The Highly Sensitive Person o Highly sensitive people • https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/  • http://highlysensitive.org/  • Interview with Elaine Aron

Photography by Nathan Dumlao