HSP vs Sensitive: Difference Between Sensitive and Highly Sensitive Person

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Highly sensitive people, or HSPs, are people who are more sensitive to the subtleties of their surroundings, have brains that process and reflect information more thoroughly, are often socially constrained by nature, and prefer their own rich inner world to the outside world. Because they take in more information, HSPs are more likely to develop nervous system overstimulation. It’s vital to remember that sensitivity is an innate rather than learned characteristic.

Dr. Elaine Aron and colleagues discovered that the extreme sensitivity feature occurs in roughly 20% of the population, in both people and animals, in their research. This evidence backs up the theory that the character has an evolutionary advantage. Perhaps the tribal members who were more sensitive to changes in the village’s air, sights, and noises served as the proverbial canary in the coal mine. Most people are familiar with what defines a sensitive person.

In today’s article, we are going to go over the qualities of highly sensitive people, so that we can discover what the differences are. We recommend you to read until the end, since the last point is the most interesting.

Number 10: For a highly sensitive person, a lot of things are too much.

You have a rich and complicated inner life when you’re a highly sensitive individual, and you’re more likely than non-sensitive people to become overwhelmed. Bright lights, loud noises, strong odors, coarse textures, and large people may overwhelm you.

When someone is watching you work or there is a lot to do in a short amount of time, you may feel frazzled. Because they absorb more information from their environment and from themselves than others, highly sensitive people (HSPs) are prone to feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.

Furthermore, HSPs interpret information in a highly ordered, big-picture manner, which includes sensitivity to nuances and subtleties that others may miss. Again, the sheer volume of information HSPs are forced to digest might cause them to become overstimulated.

Non-HSPs, who make up about 80% of the general population in our culture, do not feel the same level of overstimulation that causes distress in HSPs, so we might say that the amount of stimulation in the environment is set up for the other 80%, not HSPs. HSPs also have a hard time differentiating other people’s sentiments from their own, since they experience a great deal of empathy.

Number 9: For highly sensitive people, empathy comes easily, often too easily.

HSPs have a deep perception of others’ feelings, wants insecurities, and so on. HSPs have more active mirror neurons, which are responsible for understanding other people’s emotions, according to science. Their emotional intelligence and sensitivity make them natural at communicating, resolving conflicts, and motivating people.

Unfortunately, they may fall into the trap of people-pleasing and prioritizing the demands of others over their own. Having the ability to experience the world through the eyes of another is at the heart of being sensitive. HSPs exhibit more empathy than normal people.

HSPs can experience other people’s feelings as though they are their own. In some ways, they may actually enter the minds and feelings of others. Because empathy can be difficult, HSPs sometimes fall into the trap of seeing it as a curse. Empathy, in fact, is a gift to them and others. Empathy is the fuel that drives action, comprehension, and connection. For highly sensitive people, empathy is the ultimate motivator.

Number 8: Highly sensitive people avoid violent movies and TV shows.

Non-HSPs may be able to just observe what they see on a screen or in real life, but HSPs rarely can. Their highly sensitive brains experience the world through extremely vivid emotions. This is lovely when they see things that are beautiful or when they experience pleasurable sentiments intensely.

Dark, gloomy scenes or glimpses of creatures, on the other hand, have a powerful influence – and it’s not a pleasant one. And they get nervous whenever anything is overly violent, particularly if a character or performer reminds them of someone they care about.

Number 7: Highly sensitive people are deeply moved by beauty.

For HSPs, the beauty they see around them tends to move them deeply. They may cry when watching wonderful videos and can truly relate to people’s emotions, whether happy or sad. Hypersensitivity might make them feel more connected to nature and the world around them.

They are passionately moved by beauty in all of its manifestations, including art, music, photography, and other kinds of expression. Because of this link, highly sensitive people are often drawn to artistic endeavors. HSPs are aesthetes by nature. The definition of an aesthete is a person who is appreciative of and sensitive to art and beauty.

They are people who are deeply moved by music, movies, images, art, and the wonders of nature (such as sunsets and sunrises). Beauty and art touch them in a transcendent way. They find beauty in mundane things, like the weeds in their garden or a colored streak in someone’s hair. Most HSPs feel this to some extent. They can be stitched together and made whole by song lyrics, art, quotes, moonlight, or simply the smell of coffee.

Number 6: Highly sensitive people have a rich and complex inner life.

Highly sensitive people are believed to have a rich and complicated inner existence. Sometimes it surprises them that this does not apply to everyone, that not everyone spends as much time in their minds as they do, and that detailed examination of their own thoughts, interaction, and people is not the way the majority of people live. One feature of having a rich and complicated inner life is the ability to become completely immersed in one’s own thoughts.

HSPs cannot speak to another person for more than a few sentences in a day, and yet be on an extraordinarily busy roller coaster of emotions, feeling joyful and content one minute and nervous and unhappy the next. Nothing needs to change outside, nothing needs to change in their environment, and they don’t need to have interactions with anyone that could cause a reaction; yet, as their mind flutters around, dropping random thoughts, scampering around mischievously, they can experience a full range of emotions!

Number 5: Highly sensitive people have a need for downtime.

HSPs, like introverts, can’t go on and on for too long. Their hypersensitive neurological systems take in a lot of data and process it to the nth degree. As a result, HSPs may become quickly overwhelmed and exhausted at the end of a long day. Allowing them to relax decreases their level of stimulation and restores their sanity. This place would ideally feature low lighting, no noise, a lovely aesthetic, and the HSP’s preferred relaxation aids (books, music, a comfy pillow, etc.).

Number 4: Highly sensitive people have close relationships with others.

HSPs frequently create strong ties with those with whom they share common interests. They are typically skilled at being emotionally aware of people because they are very in touch with their own feelings. They are excellent at seeing things from the perspective of others, and this may be really beneficial in their relationships.

HSPs love with all of their hearts and souls. They will love those closest to them passionately and profoundly, whether it be a familial, friendly, or romantic relationship. The drawback is that they can be extremely sensitive to lose, but they know that love was and always will be worth it. You have a genuinely unique gift if an HSP likes you.

Number 3: Highly sensitive people feel grateful for the life they have.

The great thing about being an HSP is their appreciation for what’s around them. They are sensitive and observant, and their awareness of the little things is quite often at a level that not many others experience. While sometimes this may lead them to feel overwhelmed by life and its events, it can also make them feel more grateful for what they have and what they get to experience. The lows may feel lower for HSPs, but the highs have the potential to feel higher as well. Do you recognize yourself in those traits? It only gets more interesting. Let’s continue with the rest.

Number 2: Highly sensitive people are sensitive to light, sound, and touch.

Bright lights, strong fragrances, itchy clothing, and loud noises all have a big impact on HSPs. They have the uncanny ability to sense another person’s emotions, picking up on their sadness, rage, or loneliness before they even say anything. Furthermore, sensory stimulation, like listening to music, might occasionally overwhelm them with emotion. They are musically inclined and can often play melodies by ear, frequently guessing which note will be played next based on how the song feels.

They have trouble multitasking and can become overwhelmed when there is too much going on at once since their reactions to their surroundings can be intense. Their mannerisms can be categorized as eccentric, rather than recognized as artistic or unique. Teachers sometimes accuse them of not paying attention in class, and classmates might dub them “Rain Man.”

Number 1: Highly sensitive people have an aversion to large groups.

HSPs, when they work in an office, always feel like they have to say no to company activities, whether it is an offsite meeting, weekly happy hour, or holiday party. They are aware that they come off as antisocial or uncooperative, but it is not the case.

It’s difficult to explain to a coworker or employer that the noise level in a packed pub makes them nervous, or that being “on” in a large group of people is socially taxing and will take days to recover from. Friendships are the same way.

The invites will stop if they continue to hear “no,” or if they say yes to plans when they’re feeling extroverted and then cancel at the last minute. As much as they don’t want to, saying no is generally their only option for their own emotional and physical health, but it comes with its own set of issues, such as feeling lonely or left out.

Read More: 8 Stages of the Super Empath Supernova to Eradicate Narcissists!

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