Highly sensitive people are simply with an inborn heightened sensitivity to stimulation, be it sensory, social, or informational. The term refers to people who feel or rather process information more deeply than the rest of the population.

1. Highly Sensitive People
The terminology “Highly Sensitive People”, or HSP, was coined
in 1996 by Elaine Aron, Ph.D.. The term refers to people who feel or
rather process information more deeply than the rest of the population.
HSP is not a term of illness or disorder, it is merely a state of being
that had previously gone unacknowledged, and often misdiagnosed as
depression or anxiety.

2. What is HSP?
Highly sensitive people are also often referred to as Ultra
Sensitive People, Hypersensitive People, or People with
“Over-excitabilities”. HSP’s often have nervous systems that are
extremely sensitive to subtleties in their environment. They also take
in and process stimuli much more deeply than non-HSP, and are thus
more likely to become overstimulated or overwhelmed than non-HSP.
The HSP personality is not always comptemplative, compassionate, or
introverted, although these are common characteristics. HSP is simply
an inborn heightened sensitivity to stimulation, be it sensory, social, or
informational.

3. Who Has HSP?
An estimated ten to twenty percent of the population can be
classified as HSP. HSP is believed to be hereditary, not the product of
environment. Do you need more sleep than most people? Do you have
a unique spiritual life?
Do you need more time than others to process a subject of debate in
order to express your notions in a way that is satisfactory? Do you find
yourself uneasy in new and or chaotic
environments? Or do you find
yourself fine-tuning the lighting in a
given environment until you feel at
ease? Are you easily moved to tears by
depictions of human suffering, pain,
or inspiration? Then you may well be HSP. There are programs that
can help. The Midwest Center’s Attacking Anxiety & Depression
Program can help you battle conditions like HSP and overcome
barriers that may be preventing you from living your life to the fullest.

4. HSP and Intuition
HSP is almost always accompanied by a heightened sense of
intuition. Often sought out for advice and council, or singled out as a
sounding board for the heavy concerns of complete strangers, the
empathy of HSP people is often magnetic to people who are in need of
a sympathetic ear (to the pleasure or displeasure of the HSP individual).
Highly sensitive people are also known for their creativity. They are
often artists, writers, and
musicians. This is not to
suggest that they seek
attention for their work,
they are in fact, most often perceived to be introverted or shy. Even if
they are not creators, HSP people have a tendency to have a great
appreciation for the aesthetic, nature, music, and the arts.
Overwhelming Stimuli
While many of the attributes of HSP individuals sound flattering,
the drawbacks, while not altogether obvious to the rest of us, are
readily apparent to the HSP. This is not a culture that rewards the
introverted or empathetic individual.

5. There are also a considerable number of HSP that are, in fact,
extroverted, and even thrill seekers, but they still experience moments
when the stimuli of a given situation or environment is debilitating.
If you find you exhibit symptoms similar to those explained above,
you might consider seeking professional help or enrolling in a program
like the Attacking Anxiety & Depression Program to assist you in
overcoming undesirable HSP traits.
The Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety
12300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 325
Los Angeles, CA 90025
CALL: 1-866-771-9858
Website: www.midwestcenter.com