{"id":5204,"date":"2017-10-11T15:35:30","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T15:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/?p=5204"},"modified":"2018-10-20T07:55:51","modified_gmt":"2018-10-20T07:55:51","slug":"what-is-a-hsp-high-sensitive-person-12-quick-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/what-is-a-hsp-high-sensitive-person-12-quick-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a HSP (high sensitive person)? 12 quick answers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people who know about HSP<\/a> come and ask me for tips about living with their sensitivity. Or they ask for help to increase their energy level, decrease the amount of stimuli they take in or for assistance in exploring the up-side of this characteristic.\u00a0<\/strong>
\nBut people who have never heard of HSP<\/a> give me a surprised glare when I mention what the book I\u2019ve been writing is about.<\/strong>
\nIt is for them that I compiled some concise answers to commonly asked questions to satisfy their curiosity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

You are high sensitive yourself? You, too, might find some interesting new <\/a><\/strong>answers <\/strong><\/a>here, so keep on reading.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1) What is an HSP?<\/h2>\n

HSP stands for \u2018high sensitive person\u2019 and at present is a bit of a buzzword in the personal growth community.
\nIndicative research by Dr. Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, suggests that between 15-20% of males and females are born with a finely tuned, highly sensitive central nervous system.\u00a0 They sense and notice more than less sensitive people. Yet not all HSPs are equally sensitive or sensitive for the same stimuli. Some HSPs, for example, are extremely sensitive to odors, others to light, yet others again are extremely empathic. Or you can be sensitive to any combination of these.<\/p>\n

2) How do I know if I\u2019m HS?<\/h2>\n

There are some characteristics that are typical for HSP\u2019s. They tend to be sensitive to either loud sounds, bright lights, or sharp scents. Many also process information in detail and use past experiences in their decision making?\u00a0 If you process information very deeply, and use your analysis prior to responding you have a good chance of being HS. Many HSPs are also very empathic and sensitive to the effects of drugs but also alcohol, caffeine, heat or cold.
\nStill not sure whether or not you are HS? Take the 3-in-1 HSP test of Antoine van Staveren in my book \u2018Ontdekkingsreis Hoogsensitiviteit\u2019 or on the website<\/a> and find out. This test does not only give you a pretty good indication of whether or not you are HS, but also how well you already have adapted to this trait. For English, I refer to Dr Aron\u2019s test on www.hspperson.com.<\/p>\n

3) What can I do if my partner or child is HS?<\/h2>\n

If you found out that someone dear to you is HS, great! Then you have already taken the first step towards better understanding them. Educate yourself and encourage the HSP to do the same. You can, for example, start by reading a relevant book or related articles on my website (for more suggestions, see point 12 of this blog). Or you can watch Dr. Aron\u2019s film entitled \u2018Sensitive The Movie\u2019 together, which is featuring Alanis Morissette.\u00a0 The trailer is open for preview at Sensitivethemovie.com.<\/p>\n

4) Is HS a medical diagnosis?<\/h2>\n

No. HS is sometimes also referred to as Sensory Processing Sensitivity. Being high sensitive is not a medical diagnosis but an innate and genetic, and sometimes acquired characteristic. It is more like having brown eyes or black hair where no choice-aspect is involved in having or not having it. Although most authorities feel that being HS is always inherited, there are some who state that HS can be acquired if, f.ex., a young child is exposed for a long time to a situation where it is forced to read between the lines and use all his or her abilities to survive in a challenging home or environment.<\/p>\n

5) Can people recover fully from HS?<\/h2>\n

Since HS is not a disease, there is no need to \u2018recover\u2019 from it. HS is a normal and natural disposition. Some HSP might consider to take medication to help them de-sensitizing to fit in better with the oter 80% of society. I personally don\u2019t feel for this solution but prefer (self-) education and training to get to know yourself better and find your position in life.<\/p>\n

6) Are there techniques to help a HSP in his\/her daily life?<\/h2>\n

For most HSPs the challenge is to prevent overstimulation. This can be tough in today\u2019s high-speed society. Also for school-aged HSPs often face a challenge in large classes with lots of stimuli. Both children and adults will benefit from calm spaces that are not jammed with clutter and from learning how to plan the tasks they have to accomplish. For all HSPs it is important to integrate breaks for recovery in their schedules and use it to f.ex. listen to music, relax, play an instrument or spend tame in nature. Furthermore HSPs often benefit greatly from getting sufficient physical exercise. But be sure that it is the kind of exercise that you enjoy, otherwise it just adds to the pressure that most HSP easily feel anyway. For more helpful tips check out my blogs at ankewebersmit.com.<\/p>\n

7) How can I help (other) HSPs?<\/h2>\n

Simple: just talk to them and encourage them to find out more about \u00a0their trait. Confirm that they are perfectly \u2018normal\u2019 and in the company of 15-20% of the population. Back them up in finding their own way to embrace their abilities and flourish. Maybe they want to exchange with other HSPs more or talk about HS at their local school or at work in order to inform and educate others.<\/p>\n

8) Do HSPs benefit from therapy or coaching?<\/h2>\n

I think that most people benefit from coaching in one or the other way. In fact, most people are being coached at work or at home, to some extent. So yes, I think that also HSPs benefit from coaching. Because it helps them discover their fears but also their strengths. Coaching can help to unravel and overcome traumatic childhood memories and to change occupations. It helps HSPs to fully\u00a0 embrace their sensitivity and can provide tools on how to reach their goals in order to thrive in life. As to therapy, it may also benefit some HSPs but since HS is not a medical diagnosis, therapy sounds a bit heavy to me. Some HSPs might indeed benefit from therapy but this is not something that I feel is necessary for the majority.<\/p>\n

9) I\u2019m confused that I\u2019m \u2018different\u2019 and cannot function in our less sensitive society. \u00a0Can you give me an example of a successful HSPs?<\/h2>\n

Of course you can function. HSPs are found in most professions. As for everyone, it is important that you know yourself and you know what you want. For HSPs it might be even more important that they choose a profession they really like and where the circumstances are ok for them to work in. There are many successful people that show clear HS characteristics, f. ex. the politicians Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. And the scientists Sir Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein an Jane Goodall, filmmakers Sir. Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Moore and the visionary talent Walt Disney. And last but not least the artists John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, and Wolfgang A. Mozart.<\/p>\n

10) Can HSP\u2019s have a happy, successful and fulfilling life?<\/h2>\n

Absolutely, and why not? The sooner we learn about HS and to use it to our advantage, the better!\u00a0 By learning about HS as kids or teenagers helps to integrate it in your life rhythm and to plan your success later in life because they already know how to schedule their day and week in order to prevent over-stimulation, keep their batteries charged, finding hobbies that nourish them and develop their senses according to their wishes and needs. And last but not least: to be open about their sensitivity and learn to communicate it, if desired or necessary.<\/p>\n

11) What do you see as the (future) role of the HSP community in our society?<\/h2>\n

HS has been known for about a century now but it has hit the center stage only in the past 2 decades. Awareness has been raised, more and more people talk about it and scientific research is starting to catch up. HSPs, given their natural inclination to overthink and combine information in detail, are excellent pioneers. If they also use their innate empathy they can fulfil the important function of an \u2018early warning system\u2019 for the local, national and even global community.
\nHSPs who are aware and know how to handle themselves can be excellent role models for others who look for alternative ways of finding happiness in their life\u2019s, away from social media stress, mass consumption and unhealthy levels of stress in their careers.<\/p>\n

12) Which books and websites do you recommend to learn more about HS?<\/h2>\n

There are quite a few good books and websites. I found Highly Sensitive Person \u00a0and The Highly Sensitive Child (by Dr. Elaine Aron) very inspiring. Since their publication there have been other authors like Annek Tol (Hoogsensitiviteit professioneel gezien), Antoine van Staaveren (Bewust-er\u2014zijn met hooggevoeligheid) and \u00a0Carolina Bont (Hoogsensitiviteit als kracht), to name just a few authors who published in Dutch. And of course I hope that my own book, Ontdekkingsreis Hoogsensitiviteit\u201d offers insight, council, tips and inspiration for all HS persons and their friends, families and colleagues.
\nConcerning websites, check out www.hspperson from Elaine Aron (English) or www.hooggevoelig.nl<\/a> for information over HS. I also find the \u2018Landelijk informatiepunt voor Hoog Sensitieve Kinderen\u2019 (www.lihsk.nl<\/a>) interesting.
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\nFind out more on the <\/strong>HSP congress<\/strong><\/a>, 13 October! Use this code AW0022 and <\/strong>save 10% (22.70 euro) on your registration.<\/strong><\/a>
\nI will launch my book, \u201cOntdekkingsreis Hoogsensitiviteit\u201d, a <\/strong>practical guide and travel report<\/strong><\/a> on this HSP congress!<\/strong>
\nDr. Anke Weber Smit an experienced ecologist and practicing life coach and healer. She is also an international speaker and the author of the book \u2018Ontdekkingsreis Highsensitivity\u2019.
\nAre you triggered by this article? Know then that I\u2019m offering a (free) introduction session where you can get more general tips or tailor-made advice for your personal situation. Call 06-53667256 or send an email to <\/em>info@ankewebersmit.com<\/a>.<\/em>
\nIf you are looking for inspiration to develop and strengthen the power of imagination in your life, just give me a call (06-53667256) or send me an email ad find out how you can use your imagination to create the life you want. <\/em>
\nDon\u2019t want to miss an article in the future? Sign up for my (monthly) newsletter with all articles and more interesting information! <\/em>Go to: <\/em>http:\/\/ankewebersmit.com<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wat is hooggevoeligheid? Wat is hoogsensitief? Wat is HSP? Spend 5 minutes and you will have a good introduction about HSP (High Sensitive Person). Read this article.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31,55,59,61,62,89,150,152],"tags":[219,283,435],"class_list":["post-5204","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-de-stressing","category-healing-science","category-hoog-sensitief","category-hsp","category-hsp-boek","category-lichaam-geest-en-ziel","category-wat-is-hooggevoeligheid","category-wat-is-hsp","tag-congress","tag-hsp-congres","tag-wat-is-hoogsensitiviteit"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5204","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5204"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5204\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5204"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5204"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ankewebersmit.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5204"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}