FAQ about HSP!
The most common form of neurodivergence
Thank you SO much to everyone who came to our concert last Sunday night. What a wonderful and encouraging experience—we are so touched by all of your support!
In an earlier post last fall, I wrote an introduction to HSP, which stands for Highly Sensitive Persons or Highly Sensitive Personality. Today I want to give a “refresher” on what that means and offer answers to the questions I’m most often asked about it.
These days there is a lot of talk (at least in the psychology realm) about neurodivergence, a.k.a. neurodiversity. The idea is that some people’s minds work differently than what is considered to be “normal”—and normal is really just a way of referring to the majority.
Forms of neurodivergence you might be familiar with include dyslexia (10-15% of people), ADHD (6-11% of people), Autism Spectrum Disorder (2-3% of people), and synesthesia (at least 4% of people but hard to measure).
HSP, then, which affects 15-20% of the population, is actually the most common form of neurodivergence! So if you’re an HSP, yes, you’re in the minority (welcome! :), but it’s also a very common minority.
Please read on for an FAQ on HSPs . . .
How can I tell if I’m (or my spouse, family member, friend, etc. is) an HSP?
The easiest way to tell is to take this 5-minute self-test, or guess how the person you’re thinking of would answer the questions. I’d also recommend checking out the book The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr. Elaine Aron.
Is HSP a diagnosis or mental health disorder?
No. It is a biologically-based personality trait. Being an HSP does make a person more vulnerable to certain diagnoses such as depression, but in itself, it is not a diagnosis. Like any personality trait, there are both “pros” and “cons” to it.
Isn’t being extra-sensitive a result of trauma?
Yes, it definitely can be, but this is a different kind of sensitivity than the HSP (whose technical name is Sensory-Processing Sensitivity) that we’re talking about here. Like an HSP, a person who has suffered trauma is likely more susceptible to becoming overstimulated and emotionally reactive. But they may not have other aspects of HSP, such as processing everything deeply, picking up on subtle details, and being as keenly affected by positive experiences as by negative ones. An HSP is thought to be born that way. Of course, someone can be both an HSP and also have heightened sensitivity as a result of trauma.
Is HSP another word for being an empath?
This one is tricky. While most HSPs are very high in empathy, the term “empath” has come to have its own specialized meaning, most notably as developed by Dr. Judith Orloff. There is a lot of overlap, but a person can be an HSP without necessarily being an empath, or vice versa. Here is a helpful article if you’d like to read more.
Why should non-HSPs care about HSPs?
No one environment is going to work for everyone—we all function best when we’re at an optimal level of stimulation. HSPs, with their thorough and thoughtful processing and usually-gentle nature, have much to give not only to the creative and healing arts professions but to any workplace, school, company, government, and to society at large. But settings like “open concept” office space, crowded and loud events, and highly competitive sports teams are a nightmare for most HSPs. Most non-HSPs find that when they allow the HSPs in their life a bit more calm, privacy, and flexibility, the contributions they’ll make to an organization (or family) will far exceed any initial inconvenience.
Why will a place like CATHARSIS be a game-changer for HSPs?
To the best of my knowledge, CATHARSIS Nashville (which will hopefully inspire other CATHARSIS centers) will be the first mental healthcare center that is specifically by and for HSPs. Since HSPs are so powerfully affected by their environment, having a place that is small-ish, cozy, creative and beautiful will be an important factor in their healing journey.
Aren’t most therapists HSPs themselves?
Actually, no. While some 50% of therapy clients are HSPs, there is no evidence (at least, that I am aware of) that more therapists are HSPs than the 15-20% we’d expect based on the general population. Having a therapist who is also an HSP can provide an HSP client with an instant sense that they “get it,” as well as an instinctive level of emotional attunement and regulation.
I hope you’ve found this FAQ helpful. If you have other questions, please drop them in the comments section, and I’ll include them in a future post!
p.s. If you’d like to learn more, please check out the Intro to HSP Group I’ll be offering soon on Monday nights this July.