Highly Sensitive Persons in Today’s World

Theoretical Background

The theory on Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) was developed by psychologist Dr. Elaine Aron in 1997, who coined the term to describe this personality trait. Her approach highlights sensitivity as an innate and distinctive characteristic of certain individuals. HSPs have a highly developed nervous system, which makes them more receptive to sensory, emotional, and social stimuli. This sensitivity results in deeper information processing and greater reflective capacity, influencing how they perceive and respond to their environment. According to Aron (2012), high sensitivity is a unidimensional trait with a genetic basis that affects how sensory information is transmitted and processed.

Being an HSP is a particular way of experiencing the world, similar to other individual differences. Neuroscientific research has revealed that the brains of highly sensitive people have specific structures and functions that distinguish them from those who do not possess this trait. These differences are manifested in how they perceive, process, and respond to external stimuli. In this regard, Armstrong (2012) points out that, just as we speak of “cultural diversity” and “biodiversity” to refer to the variety of cultural expressions and life forms, we also need a concept that reflects the diversity of different types of brains.

High sensitivity is an inherent personality trait that implies greater receptivity to environmental stimuli. It is not a disorder or pathology.

Main Characteristics of HSPs

Highly sensitive people display core traits that, according to Aron (2006), can be summarized into four categories identified by the acronym DOES: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotional Reactivity, and Sensing the Subtle.

1. Depth of information processing: HSPs analyze information thoroughly, noticing nuances that others may overlook (Aron & Aron, 1997). This tendency toward reflection and detailed analysis promotes understanding and empathy, though it may also require more time for decision-making and emotion regulation processing.
2. High sensitivity to sensory stimuli: These individuals perceive sounds, lights, and textures with more intensity than others might. Sensory hypersensitivity is linked to increased central nervous system activation (Aron, 1996). As a result, they may become easily overstimulated in chaotic or noisy environments, increasing their need for rest and recovery.
3. 3 Increased emotional reactivity: HSPs tend to experience emotions more intensely, displaying strong empathy and an amplified response to both positive and negative experiences (Acevedo et al., 2014). Neuroscientific studies have shown that this reactivity is associated with increased activation in brain areas related to empathy, such as the insula and anterior cingulate cortex.
4. Perception of subtle stimuli: HSPs can detect small changes in the environment, facial expressions, or tone of voice, perceiving details that others might miss. This attention to detail supports creativity and reflection, often prompting them to seek meaning in their experiences (Pluess, 2015).

While these traits can be strengths, they can also present challenges depending on context and the strategies HSPs use to manage their sensitivity.

How to Know If You Are an HSP

Aron (1997) developed a 27-item scale that has been translated into several languages and is being validated in different countries. For example, Chacón (2021) adapted it for the Spanish population, and validation efforts continue across Latin America.

What an HSP Is Not

It is essential to distinguish high sensitivity from certain psychological conditions with which it is often confused. High sensitivity is not a clinical diagnosis or disorder, but rather a personality trait. Some important differences include:

– Anxiety disorders: Although HSPs may experience heightened arousal activation,  it is not constant and is due to the trait’s inherent characteristics.

– Trauma-induced hypersensitivity: While trauma-related hypersensitivity is a response to adverse experiences, high sensitivity stems from an innate brain configuration.

– Autism: Although autistic individuals may also experience overstimulation, high sensitivity is more related to environmental characteristics than social interactions. Autistic individuals may also exhibit hyposensitivity to environmental or proprioceptive stimuli. HSPs do not experience meltdowns or shutdowns, though they may feel very tired after overstimulation. While HSPs enjoy deep conversations, they typically don’t have intense special interests and tend to show greater cognitive flexibility compared to the rigidity and pattern-seeking often present in autism spectrum conditions.

– Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): HSPs may feel emotions intensely, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they struggle with emotional regulation or experience the fear of abandonment characteristic of BPD. HSPs usually seek strong, meaningful relationships, while those with BPD may experience unstable, idealized, or devalued relationships.

Myths and Realities About HSPs

Myth: HSPs are fragile or weak.
Reality: Sensitivity is not synonymous with fragility, but rather a different way of processing information and experiencing the world. This myth reflects a bias of devaluing what is different. Aron (1997) notes that viewing high sensitivity as weakness is typical of more individualistic Western societies, while studies in more community-oriented cultures like Japan show that highly sensitive children are viewed as more well-mannered.

Myth: Being an HSP is a psychological disorder.
Reality: It is not a pathology, but a personality trait with neurobiological roots.

Myth: All HSPs are introverts.
Reality: Approximately 30% of HSPs are extroverts.

Distinction Between HSPs and Non-HSPs: Counselors and Warriors

Elaine Aron (2006) proposes a distinction between HSPs and non-HSPs based on roles that were likely essential in ancestral societies. HSPs often act as “counselors,” as their analytical abilities, foresight, and emotional sensitivity make them excellent mediators and decision-making guides.

On the other hand, non-HSPs—referred to as “warriors”—tend to excel in immediate action and problem-solving under high-pressure environments. These differences do not imply a hierarchy but rather reflect the complementary nature of their roles within society.

Benefits of Being a Highly Sensitive Person

Being an HSP may come with challenges, but it also offers many advantages. Empathy, creativity, and deep connection with others and the environment are just a few of the qualities that characterize HSPs. Their way of processing information is more detailed and reflective, allowing them to analyze situations from multiple angles before making decisions. While sensitivity can lead to more intense experiences during difficult times, research is exploring how this same trait may be linked to resilience. Through self-regulation and self-awareness strategies, many HSPs manage to turn their sensitivity into a true strength, using it to grow, create, and engage more authentically with the world.

References

Acevedo, B. P., Aron, E. N., Aron, A., Sangster, M. D., Collins, N., & Brown, L. L. (2014). The highly sensitive brain: An fMRI study of sensory processing sensitivity and response to others’ emotions. Brain and Behavior, 4(4), 580-594

Armstrong, T (2012) The Power of Neurodiversity. Paidós.

Aron, E. N., & Aron, A. (1997). Sensory-Processing Sensitivity and Its Relation to Introversion and Emotionality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(2), 345–368. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.73.2.345

Aron, E. N. (1996). The highly sensitive person: How to thrive when the world overwhelms you. Broadway Books.

Aron, E. (2006). The Highly Sensitive Person in Love. Obelisco (Spanish translation).

Chacón, A., Pérez-Chacón, M., Borda-Mas, M., Navarro, M. L. A., & López-Jiménez, A. M. (2021). Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the highly sensitive person scale to the adult Spanish population (HSPS-S). Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 14. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s321277

Pluess, M. (2015). Individual Differences in Environmental Sensitivity. Child Development Perspectives, 9(3), 138–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12120.