8 Signs You’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

Susan Cain's book, "Quiet", was a catalyst for the introvert movement that helps bring awareness towards personality types with a greater need for solitude and less stimulating environments. With 1/3 to half the world's population made up of introverts, it's great that we finally began to acknowledge and talk about the unique set of traits and tendencies.

Along with introversion, sensitivity has also made the headlines and been widely discussed. The personality trait was first researched by Dr. Elaine and Aaron in 1991. All of her important findings have been published in various articles and in her book, "The Highly Sensitive Person". Although it's a trait being acknowledged more, Aaron states that sensitive people are still often considered the minority of the population. She emphasizes that culture plays a large role towards how sensitivity is valued. Aaron writes: "In culture where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They're told don't be so sensitive. So that they feel abnormal. We want to raise this issue and help promote more acceptance towards highly sensitive people."

Approximately 70% of the introverted population is made up of HSPs. Not all introverts identified as HSPs, but there seems to be an overlap between the two traits that is too important to ignore.

8 Signs You Are a Highly Sensitive Person

1. You feel deeply and tend to be more emotionally reactive.

   Have people often called you deep when you provide your insights? Then, you may be an HSP. HSPs tend to feel things more deeply and are more naturally inclined to react emotionally towards situations.

2. You prefer to exercise alone.

   Highly sensitive people often avoid team sports because they're uncomfortable with the audience watching their every move. According to Dr. Zeff, the majority of HSPs gravitate towards solitary sports such as running, hiking, and bicycling.

3. It takes you longer to make decisions.

   When you're sensitive, it takes you more time to make decisions, even though there may not be a right or wrong one. For instance, it may take you longer than others to choose what you want to eat from the restaurant menu.

4. You pay attention to subtlety and small details in general.

   You're sensitive to changes and your immediate environment and the people who surround you. When you're identified as a highly sensitive person, it's hard for you to miss subtlety because you're prone to reading between the lines.

5. You are highly conscientious and have extremely good manners.

   With your highly sensitive, you care a lot about the way you present yourself, and how your actions may affect others. You tend to be considered towards others' needs and want to do things in a way that creates convenience rather than causing trouble for them.

6. You are prone to having anxiety or depression.

   As an HSP, if you experience a lot of negative events in your life, you may have developed anxiety or depression over the years. According to Dr. Aaron, this is because your nervous system often operates in anxious mode when you don't feel safe in your environment.

7. Violent/horror movies are not your cup of tea.

   When you're highly sensitive, you're overly stimulated by violent or horror films that sensation seekers often get a good adrenaline rush from. Realize that there's nothing wrong with turning down horror movies.

8. You work well in team environments.

   When you're highly sensitive, you tend to be a deep thinker. This makes you a valuable person in team settings because you're able to analyze situations and figure out how everyone's strengths and talents can be used to help the team work more efficiently.

Would you consider yourself a highly sensitive person? Do you agree with these points? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!