Highly Sensitive Person Treatment
How often has someone said to you, “stop being so sensitive!”? If you are a highly sensitive person (also referred to as a HSP), you have likely heard this your whole life. While we don’t have much research on the highly sensitive person, it is believed HSP is present in 15-20% of the general population and can make up about 50% of the people that therapists treat.
What is a highly sensitive person?
The concept of highly sensitive person was developed by psychologist Elaine Aron in the 90s to describe people who are highly sensitive to various physical, emotional, or social stimuli. HSP is not considered a diagnosis but rather a personality trait. As with other personality traits, being an HSP brings about unique challenges that can be difficult to navigate. Being an HSP also means possessing unique strengths given this heightened sensitivity.
HSP is not the same as introvert or someone with sensory processing sensitivity. While there can be similarities and overlap between the three, they are each unique. For example, while people who have sensory processing disorder are HSP, not all HSP have a sensory processing disorder. Additionally, some HSP may be extroverted and yet still have a sensitivity to various stimuli.
Research continues to be done on highly sensitive people although it is a relatively new area of research. Brain scans show brains of HSPs’ are more activated in the cerebral cortex, brain mirror neuron system, and increased brain theta states. This equates for increased sensitivity to subtle vibration, environmental stimulation, and increased awareness.
Am I a highly sensitive person?
Highly sensitive people tend to have strong responses to physical, emotional, environmental, or social stimuli. HSP is not a diagnosis, however it is a trait that can help understand how to navigate life as a highly sensitive person. While this list is not exhaustive, you may be an HSP if multiple of the below are true, or if some are very strongly true. Are you…
easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells, loud noises, coarse fabrics?
compelled to make an effort to avoid situations that may be overwhelming or upsetting?
prone to a strong emotional response to things, positive and negative?
someone with a rich and complex inner life?
frequently noticing or enjoying things that are more subtle, that other people may miss (ex: light scents, quiet sounds, subtle tastes)?
often described as shy or quiet, or were described this way as a child?
someone with a low pain threshold?
How does being an HSP impact people?
Highly sensitive people have unique struggles as well as gifts. HSPs are often more perceptive to their environment, which can mean that they are more easily overwhelmed. It can also mean that they are more easily able to tap into an appreciation for subtleties around them.
HSP may feel more moved by art, entertainment, or environment. This can mean more ease with empathizing with others, whether the people around them are feeling positive or negative emotions.
Highly sensitive people may feel more easily stressed by an increase in tasks or when facing difficult situations. This can be challenging to navigate for oneself and also in relationship with others.
Can highly sensitive person treatment in NYC actually help me?
Seeking highly sensitive person treatment in NYC can help the HSPs become aware of strengths and navigate environment, relationships, and life stressors with more ease. A licensed therapist can support you in this journey. Here are some things individual therapy can help with:
Developing coping strategies. A licensed therapist can help HSPs develop strategies that will make living with sensitivities more manageable.
Boundary setting. HSPs tend to hate letting people down while also anticipating what people around them may be feeling.
Increasing self worth. The ability to so easily tune into the emotions of others often leads to an increased feeling of responsibility for those around them. Working with a therapist can help shine a light on the unique strengths and beauty of being HSP, which may be harder to notice for HSPs.
Navigating relationship issues. Dealing with conflict can be challenging for HSPs. Common challenges include misinterpreting things due to heightened sensitivity, avoiding conversations that are expected to be uncomfortable, or being strongly impacted by a partner or friend’s negativity. You may even consider couples therapy in addition to individual therapy for HSP.
Ready to start highly sensitive person treatment in NYC?
Individual HSP therapy sessions are typically 45 minutes long and occur on a weekly basis. Learn more about our NYC therapists and contact us to schedule a free HSP therapy consultation call today!