What does HSP mean?
A highly sensitive person has what is termed “sensory processing sensitivity’ (SPS). This is an innate, and therefore biological temperament roughly affecting about 20% of the population.
According to Steven Gans, MD, HSP is not a disorder but a distinct neurobiological make up characterised by a deeper cognitive processing of physical, emotional and social stimuli.
In laymans terms that means you feel life more deeply.
Does this mean I'm neurodivergent?
Whilst many persons who are neurodivergent may have similar characteristics, Gans makes a distinction here and states that SPS is not an disorder such as sensory processing disorder or autism.
Instead, it is a different way of processing the world around you.
So whilst a neurodivergent person can also be highly sensitive, it is not always the case that a highly sensitive person is neurodivergent.
How do I know if I'm highly sensitive?
Gans outlines four pillars or clinical markers of HSP:
- Depth of processing - a tendency to ruminate and have a rich inner life
- Overstimulation - Rapid flooding of the nervous system in response to noise, crowds etc.
- Emotional reactivity & empathy - the ability to really put yourself in another person's shoes, as if you were experiencing their situation and therefore their emotions too
- Sensing subtleties - Being hyper-aware of micro-changes in others
As a result, the world can be experienced as "too much' for th highly sensitive person. They can feel easily overloaded and easily distracted, which is thought to be the result of observing and feeling too much all at once.
The HSP can therefore often be misdiagnosed as having generalised anxiety disorder or ADHD.
Are you struggling with overwhelm as a result of high sensitivity?
We are here to help. Explore our emotional numbness and shutdown support page, meet with one of our therapists or get in touch for help with taking the next step.
Can therapy help?
Yes, therapy can help you to understand how growing up highly sensitive in an often harsh, insensitive world has affected you.
Many highly sensitive people grow up carrying the false belief that they are difficult, overly dramatic or too needy. Talking through and unpicking this shame can help you to free yourself from it.
The strong empathy of HSPs also means they are often burdened with the feelings and projections of other people. Knowing what feelings belong to them can be difficult to identify and understand for HSPs and therapy is often crucial to differentiating this.
What kind of therapist should I look for?
The right therapist will validate your experiences as an HSP in a warm, sensitive manner, avoiding the ‘blank screen’ neutrality that can be experienced as too cold, or even rejecting.
They’ll recognise that HSP clients process deeply and need time to do this, thus offering a paced, gentle exploration that avoids overloading you with insights or questions. Time to work through more deep, unsettling emotions and issues will help you to contain and integrate these experiences.
It’s important that your therapist understands that your sensitivity is a useful antennae, not a defect, so they can help you to see that you are capable of profound empathy and creativity. This sensitivity, though it may make certain aspects of life that bit harder, is a gift not a curse.
Taking the first step
If you are struggling with sensitivity or overwhelm, we are here for you.
Therapy offers a space where you do not have to pretend you're okay or mask your true feelings. You can speak openly and honestly about the challenge you're facing at a gentle pace that suits you.
Whether you recognise yourself as a highly sensitive person or are still unsure, we can help you take the next step.
