HONOR YOUR SENSITIVITY
Do you often feel like you don’t fit in? We have all experienced that at times but when it’s the norm, maybe something else is going on.
Early the 1900’s it was surmised that some people are born with an exceptionally high level of emotional sensitivity. Since then, biologists have actually found the trait in over 100 species. Recent estimates suggest that 15% -20% of many creatures are born with a more sensitive nervous system than their cohorts. Simply put, a fifth of the individuals within a herd, pack, troop, pride, pod, colony or human community are more responsive and reactive to stimulation from their environment.
Over long periods of time, Mother Nature has proven to be amazingly astute! She gives her organisms what they need, but little more. That frugality, almost by definition creates a struggle to survive. If a species becomes too successful and multiplies out of control, it can throw the environment out of balance. Hence, the competition between hunter and prey is keen. A generally accepted explanation is that a minority of highly sensitive individuals within a population offers a survival strategy.
Imagine a herd of thirsty Zebra cautiously approaching a water hole known to attract predators. The entire herd has superb eyesight and hearing together with an acute sense of smell and taste. Alas, a hungry lioness concealed in the bush is aptly equipped in her own right.
As the Zebra warily drop their head to the water, each of their eyes independently, scan the landscape while rotating ears probe for suspicious vibrations. Even a few molecules of feline scent wafting through the air are detectable. Not to be outdone, the queen of beasts instinctively stays downwind, blends into the background and pursues with cat like stealth. From the Zebra’s point of view, having extra sensitive companions unconsciously on the lookout may be a lifesaver.
It is hypothesized that highly sensitive creatures are not necessarily gifted with super-hearing or hyper-acute vision but rather, they have nervous systems and minds which permit more stimulation to enter without automatically and unconsciously shutting it out. Further, they mentally process the stimulation received in more detail.
According to leading experts, an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), of the 20% variety, share a number of characteristics. They are often:
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more sensitive to physical pain or the effect of stimulating substances (e.g. caffeine)
more sensitive to physical pain or the effect of stimulating substances (e.g. caffeine)•more aware of subtleties in their environment
more aware of subtleties in their environment•respond to lower doses of medications than most people
respond to lower doses of medications than most people•feel overwhelmed by loud sensory inputs, violent films or large crowds
feel overwhelmed by loud sensory inputs, violent films or large crowds•tend to be more cautious when facing new situations
tend to be more cautious when facing new situations•are highly conscientious and have a tendency to be perfectionistic
are highly conscientious and have a tendency to be perfectionistic•are easily shaken up and distressed by changes.
are easily shaken up and distressed by changes. •sensitive to loud noises, strong scents, coarse fabrics or bright lights
sensitive to loud noises, strong scents, coarse fabrics or bright lights •tend to be "cooperative," rather than "competitive"
tend to be "cooperative," rather than "competitive" •get easily rattled in stressful situations and under time pressure
get easily rattled in stressful situations and under time pressure•are highly empathic and frequently "pick up moods" from other people
are highly empathic and frequently "pick up moods" from other people•show a tendency to think deeply about things
show a tendency to think deeply about things•drawn to the arts, music and spirituality
drawn to the arts, music and spirituality •perform poorly when being observed or "evaluated" by others
perform poorly when being observed or "evaluated" by othersGIFT OR BURDEN?Empathy for others can be a powerful asset for teachers, managers, therapists and others. In a world with its share of cruelty and ugliness, however, empathy without limits can be acutely painful. Being particularly cautious about taking action and carefully considering options has benefits but may also induce stress and anxiety. Being conscientious is admirable but in the extreme can lead to perfectionism and depression.
Our western Clint Eastwood / John Wayne / Rambo culture often depicts high sensitivity as a character flaw, especially in males. Woe to the guy seen by peers crying during a sad movie or after losing a big game. A “real man” is seldom depicted as intolerant of pain or susceptible to stress. I would suspect few American males are anxious to be publically identified as an HSP. Women are much more likely to worry that disclosing their emotional distress may lead them to be told that they're "thin-skinned" which adds insult to injury.
Interestingly, HSP’s are much more accepted in eastern cultures. A study comparing Chinese and Canadian elementary schoolchildren found that sensitive, quiet children in China were among the most popular of their peers. In Canada, they were among the least popular.
A trait that makes us extra sensitive begets the very qualities that can give us inner strength. The key therefore, is not in trying to be less sensitive, but recognizing that sensitivity can be a strength. Instead of hiding one’s sensitivity, acknowledge and harness it to one’s advantage. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate.
Perhaps Shakespeare and Popeye said it best!
“…to thine own self be true” / “I am what I am”
FAMOUS HSPs'
Albert Einstein
Carl Jung
Charles Darwin
Abraham Lincoln
Harry Truman
Martin Luther King
Gandhi
Malcolm X
Dalai Lama
Mother Teresa
Eleanor Roosevelt
Princess Diana
Isaac Newton
Thomas Edison
Jane Goodall
Greta Garbo
Katharine Hepburn
Spencer Tracy
Judy Garland
Adrien Brody
Mandy Moore
Glenn Close
Eddie Murphy
Joaquin Phoenix
Nicole Kidman
Kevin Kline
Winona Ryer
Elijah Wood
Woody Allen
Jim Carrey
Steve Martin
Mel Brooks
Johnny Carson
Ted Kaczynski
Adolph Hitler
Osama Bin Laden
Orson Welles
Paul Masson
Edgar Allan Poe
Ralth Waldo Emerson
Emily Dickinson
William Butler Yeats
Virginia Woolf
Allen GInsberg
James Baldwin
Kahlil Gibran
D.H. Lawrence
Henry David Thoreau
Robert Frost
Walt Whitman
Tennessee Williams
Deepak Chopra
Judith Orloff
Leonardo da Vinci
Vincent Van Gogh
Salvador Dali
Georgia O'Keefe
Picasso
Frida Kahlo
Frank Lloyd Wright
Michael Jordan
Alfred Hitchcock
Steven Spielberg
George Lucas
Michael Moore
Walt Disney
Bob Dylan
John Lennon
Elton John
Alanis Morissette
Neil Young
Jim Morrison
Celine Dion
Dolly Parton
Barbra Streisand
Mozart
Instructions: Answer each question according to the way you personally feel. Check the box if it is at least somewhat true for you; leave unchecked if it is not very true or not at all true for you.
1. I am easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input.
2. I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.
3. Other people's moods affect me.
4. I tend to be very sensitive to pain.
5. I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days,into bed or into a darkened room or any place
where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation.
6. I am particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
7. I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells,coarse fabrics,or sirens close by.
8. I have a rich,complex inner life.
9. I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.
10. I am deeply moved by the arts or music.
11. My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled that I just have to go off by myself.
12. I am conscientious.
13. I startle easily.
14. I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.
15. When people are uncomfortable in a physical environment I tend to know what needs to be done to
make it more comfortable (like changing the lighting or the seating).
16. I am annoyed when people try to get me to do too many things at once.
17. I try hard to avoid making mistakes or forgetting things.
18. I make a point to avoid violent movies and TV shows.
19. I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is going on around me.
20. Being very hungry creates a strong reaction in me,disrupting my concentration or mood.
21. Changes in my life shake me up.
22. I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, works of art.
23. I find it unpleasant to have a lot going on at once.
24. I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.25. I am bothered by intense stimuli, like loud noises or chaotic scenes.
26. When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous or shaky that I
do much worse than I would otherwise.
27. When I was a child, my parents or teachers seemed to see me as sensitive or shy.
Scoring:
If you answered more than fourteen of the questions as true of yourself, you are probably highly sensitive. But no psychological test is so accurate that an individual should base his or her life on it. We psychologists try to develop good questions, then decide on the cut off based on the average response.
If fewer questions are true of you, but extremely true, that might also justify calling you highly sensitive.
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Call Lou at 719-250-5984
SENSITIVITY ASSESSMENT
