Being a Highly Sensitive Person, It Isn’t What You Think!

Being a highly sensitive person means that you were born with many challenges, and evidence suggests that early childhood experiences may have epigenetic effects on genes associated with sensitivity, but also mirror neurons. 
Some people might call you over-sensitive, overdramatic. But if they would have your brain, they could understand how you process information knowing that you feel things and others energies around differently. 

Warning: SPS (Sensory Processing Sensitivity) or HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron in the ’90s. Contrary to what has been written in some unofficial places, HSP isn’t a mental health disorder and can’t be compared with schizophrenia, autism, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Through the years, I’ve seen people telling out loud they are highly sensitive people, empaths, and all kinds of bullshits, but they don’t know shit about what that means (it’s all about themselves). I do have SPS or Sensory Processing Sensitivity, which is an innate trait of personality, as I explained. I do process information more deeply. I need more quiet times and be in nature to rejuvenate than my average peers. But also I have to say that fortunately, I was born in one family that taught me there is nothing more beautiful or pure than to be free and embrace who we are.

I have conscious that this kind of self-disclosure can help people to understand who they are. My SPS was identified by my psychologist when I was 25 years old during a conversation where I described some symptoms. Such as intense headaches after being around some people or in some environments. The necessity to have intense conversations and deep self-reflection. The innate ability to perceive somebody else real intentions or thoughts through the interpretation of their non-verbal communication. The need to question everything, and why I heard so many times from others why I am so sensitive like it was a curse for them. Yes, it is true I can read people’s energy and feel their pain.

Sometimes I’m not the easiest person to deal with in the world, mostly when I need to be alone and inside my world to rejuvenate energetically/emotionally after being overwhelmed by so much information and stimulus. If you want to see a person with SPS flourishing and blooming, never lie to them, has their back in times of need, and be their rocks. In return, they will offer you the entrance to a rich inner world and the love you never experienced in your life. Why? Some well-conducted and recent studies have revealed that the higher sensitivity of HSPs is due to differences in the neurotransmitters such as dopamine, as well the higher activity in the mirror neurons systems. Without forgetting the difference in how the brain process information and emotions (the ventromedial prefrontal cortex).

Negative traits:

• Prone to the stress of social comparison
• Feeling the negative emotions of others as our own emotions
• Feeling upset when people walk away without trying
• Having a hard time to say no, sometimes
• The tendency to be our own worst critics
• Tendency for Perfectionism
• Feeling responsible for the happiness of others
• Distractions such as cell phones are fonts of frustrations
• Stressful situations kill our joy
• Hating letting people down
• Dislike Small Talk and Bored Easily in Relationships
• Emotional reactivity 

Positive Traits:

• Deep understanding of people and their emotions
• Strong intuition and empathy 
• Creative thinker
• Great self-awareness
• A profound love for nature and use nature as a way to rejuvenate/heal
• Ability to cry and be vulnerable
• Think about subjects deeply and love connections
• Love is a sacred word
• Better at spotting and sidestepping errors
• Rich and complex inner life

To conclude, if someone close to you tells you to stop being so dramatic or sensitive, let them know that you are happy being you. These people should be grateful to have you in their lives because they will receive extra love, consciousness, emotional depth, and a brand new way to perceive the world around them.
Be aware and be careful with people who might try to drain you emotionally but also manipulate your empathy, details of your life, and compassion as a way to fulfill them temporarily till they find someone new and fresh. And this is the power of saying no and walk away from unhealthy dynamics.

Wishing you love!

Alexandra

References:

Aron, Elaine N. (1996). The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. New York, NY: Broadway Books.

Aron, Elaine N.  (2002). The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive When the World Overwhelms Them. New York, NY: Broadway Books.