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https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/b...nsitive-person
Wondering who else relates to being an HSP, i.e. highly sensitive person. I'd heard of it before, but never gave it too much thought, until I went through a checklist recently and I was like, "holy shit" I checked about 28 out of 30. Does anyone else relate to this or consider themselves HSP? Wondering how it relates to type.
I can relate, and I think it's mostly connected to valued introverted sensing. You can just handle it better when being older.
Bolded means I relate:
Category One: Sensitivity About Oneself
1. Often has difficulty letting go of negative thoughts and emotions
2. Frequently feels physical symptoms (i.e. stress or headache) when something unpleasant happens during the day
3. Often has bad days that affect eating and/or sleeping habits in an unhealthy way, such as eating or sleeping too much or too little
4. Often experiences tension or anxiety
5. Tends to “beat oneself up” when falling short of own expectations
6. Is afraid of rejection, even in relatively minor situations
7. Compares self with others often (in physical, relational, social, work, financial, or other scenarios), and experiences unhappy feelings from negative social comparison
8. Often feels anger or resentment about situations in life or in society which seem unjust, aggravating, or simply annoying
Category Two: Sensitivity About Others
9. Often thinks/worries about what others are thinking
10. Tends to take things personally
11. Finds it difficult, when triggered by relatively small unpleasantness with people, to just “let it go”
12. Feels hurt easily
13. Often hides negative feelings, believing they are too strong, turbulent, embarrassing or vulnerable to share; keeps a lot of negative emotions inside
14. Alternatively, often discusses negative emotions with others because there’s a lot of “drama” in one’s life
15. Has a hard time accepting critical feedback, even when it's given reasonably and constructively
16. Often feels like people are judgmental, even when there’s no strong evidence
17. Often overreacts to real or perceived slights and provocations
18. Often feels awkward in group situations and feels unable to be oneself
19. Feels self-conscious in romantically intimate situations; excessively worries about partner’s approval; is unreasonably afraid of being judged or rejected by partner
Category Three: Sensitivity About One’s Environment
20. Feels uncomfortable in large public crowds, in a room full of people talking, or when too many things are occurring simultaneously
21. Feels uncomfortable when exposed to bright lights, loud sounds, or certain strong scents
22. Startles easily at sudden noises, fast traffic, or other unpleasant surprises
23. Often feels upset when watching or reading negative news in the media. Dislikes “shock” entertainment (i.e. intensely scary or violent shows)
24. Often feels unhappy when following people’s posts on social media
Yeah, I could definitely see that on some of the more emotional aspects/patterns of thinking. What about the startle response stuff though or sensitivity to sounds, lights and the like? I startle very easy when someone approaches it when I'm not expecting it, like I legit get scared and jump, not sure how one corrects that really lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by WinnieW
I'm fairly clueless it seems. I do not notice how caffeine affects me etc. I don't really seem to appreciate my own feelings in groups I can be pretty loud but something less feelery about others and pretty keen on that. I have heightened style towards self observation but I'm also out of touch with my body. But something clicks like unexpected stimuli that can be seen as a threat but not really that jumpy about music etc.
Yeah. I can't detect what effect coffee has on me either. I can sleep after drinking coffee no problem :/... also as shown above the Category Three: Sensitivity About One’s Environment .. is not a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by COVID 007
Usually I'm lost when it is about how other ppl perceive me or in social situations where I have no idea wtf to do.. so I just default to casual & don't pick up on rules and etiquette. When ppl point it out to me it sucks.
I was nearly unable to vist music clubs or loud concerts without wearing foam earplugs, and was easily perturbable by bright flickering lights. Nowadays I can handle this a little better.Quote:
Originally Posted by thegreenfaerie
I need some time to adjust myself to people I've never met before.Quote:
Originally Posted by thegreenfaerie
Some sources state that it'll take 15 minutes until somebody feels the effect of caffeine, for me it's more like 4 or 5 minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by COVID 007
It happens with people I know very well lol (and ones I don't). I'll have to consider more on the comfort level to said people and see if that is a factor. :thinking:Quote:
Originally Posted by WinnieW
What's weird though, is it seems like I remain calm in crisis situations. I guess there is more of a sense of duty and seriousness there, protectiveness in which I believe I remain calm. I think a lot of HSP would probably be calmer though overall? I'm neurotic and have flare-ups for example, irritability, but I don't scream at people. Screaming at people is really weird behavior to me. I bet a lot of HSP wouldn't be the screaming type, lol.
I mean, I guess I do raise my voice when I get stern sometimes, like with my dog when she's misbehaving and probably in serious fights with loved ones, but it doesn't turn into screaming or losing physical control.
I don't think I would bother HSP people because I am one, so I have a lot of empathy there. I really dislike pushiness too, trying to push someone into something they are clearly very uncomfortable with. Leave the people alone man
I used to relate, I don't anymore.
What happened? I ain't got a single clue.
I think I can relate to all of them lol. I remember when I first heard about HSP, I related a lot to it and read up on it, but it’s been a while.
It probably fits me..... I don't need the checklist. I'm just like, Yep.
Just wanna try this thing.
Some of these were kinda true and I didn't bold them cuz it was a matter of trying to discern if they were more true for me than for others because they seem pretty normal. (Like getting upset while looking at social media posts lmao)
Lol, yeah I definitely agree some of these are pretty common to most people. I had a different one with 30 different points I liked better, but I was too lazy to find it :PQuote:
Originally Posted by ashlesha
Lmao, I feel that hard. I used to visit this site way back a lot - http://ptypes.com/ It's when I first learned I was of the melancholic temperament. I don't see it now upon glancing, but I remember each of the character disorders had the healthier version attached to them and for avoidant it was "sensitive personality type". Seemed to fit like a glove at the time. "Sensitive" is basically my middle name.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aramas
i have 15 or 16 of the 24 traits (and all 8 of them in the first category), but i am very sensitive to rejection in emotional and sexual relations so that's one of like a million reasons why i just never ask anyone out (i'm not super fond of my duals, and that has to do with my strong if officially unvalued Si, but it's like i value Si anyway as i've always cared about my bodily sensations, aesthetics, and wanted nothing ugly, and all good aesthetics, beautiful things for good sensations and i worry that i won't have only beautiful things always in the future; and LIE don't like farting it's something I picked up on before I started reading about socionics while I love it when people fart depending on how it smells of course, yet ILE-Ti usually love farting and they're my conflictor; a female ILE-Ti I had tried to befriend, to court, but she hated me and had great smelling farts, my cousin ILE-Ti, a male, had terrible smelling farts, but frequent good smelling farts from whatever girlfriend i am to have are necessary to the relationship, no relationship is worthwhile w/o all of those). I don't know if it's related to my ASD, but I've always had the traits of an HSP and strong but seemingly valued Si... I think HSP are just part of temperament and some (sub)types are more prone to them than others.
Interesting response my dude. I have to say I relate to the LIE on this one though. I know I'm a bit uptight on some things. Yeah I was thinking of ASD with some of these traits. I had a friend with ASD once and we were talking about how social anxiety, which can relate to HSP also on some of the traits, had some crossover with ASD, even though in reality social anxiety was more of a hyper-awareness of others whereas with ASD there was more a lack of awareness. Social anxiety could lead to things that look ASD'ish due to their lack of any social exposure (and therefore not knowing how to act properly in certain situations) and ASD could lead to social anxiety traits due to frequently getting in trouble for their inappropriate behavior. :shrug: Kind of switched topics there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Disturbed
So are you saying you are ESI with a valued demonstrative IE?
I disagree. Two people I know who are HSP are IEI and LIEQuote:
Originally Posted by WinnieW
I've anecdotally known a few people people who typed themselves INFP in MBTI and said the HSP thing seemed relatable. I'd type them EII.
Please don't get me wrong. My statement is an unproven hypothesis, but there are no statistics today about the connection between HSP and cognitive functions.Quote:
Originally Posted by nanashi
Unless somebody does some research take my statement as based on my intution.
i relate to it more the older I get. but I also remember things from when I was little like crying when family members were being hostile towards eachother, not even in the words but just the energy. that sounds pretty normal though.
Category One: Sensitivity About Oneself
1. Often has difficulty letting go of negative thoughts and emotions
2. Frequently feels physical symptoms (i.e. stress or headache) when something unpleasant happens during the day
3. Often has bad days that affect eating and/or sleeping habits in an unhealthy way, such as eating or sleeping too much or too little
4. Often experiences tension or anxiety
5. Tends to “beat oneself up” when falling short of own expectations
6. Is afraid of rejection, even in relatively minor situations
7. Compares self with others often (in physical, relational, social, work, financial, or other scenarios), and experiences unhappy feelings from negative social comparison
8. Often feels anger or resentment about situations in life or in society which seem unjust, aggravating, or simply annoying
Category Two: Sensitivity About Others
9. Often thinks/worries about what others are thinking
10. Tends to take things personally
11. Finds it difficult, when triggered by relatively small unpleasantness with people, to just “let it go”
12. Feels hurt easily
13. Often hides negative feelings, believing they are too strong, turbulent, embarrassing or vulnerable to share; keeps a lot of negative emotions inside - only around people I dont know well
14. Alternatively, often discusses negative emotions with others because there’s a lot of “drama” in one’s life
15. Has a hard time accepting critical feedback, even when it's given reasonably and constructively
16. Often feels like people are judgmental, even when there’s no strong evidence
17. Often overreacts to real or perceived slights and provocations
18. Often feels awkward in group situations and feels unable to be oneself
19. Feels self-conscious in romantically intimate situations; excessively worries about partner’s approval; is unreasonably afraid of being judged or rejected by partner
Category Three: Sensitivity About One’s Environment
20. Feels uncomfortable in large public crowds, in a room full of people talking, or when too many things are occurring simultaneously
21. Feels uncomfortable when exposed to bright lights, loud sounds, or certain strong scents
22. Startles easily at sudden noises, fast traffic, or other unpleasant surprises
23. Often feels upset when watching or reading negative news in the media. Dislikes “shock” entertainment (i.e. intensely scary or violent shows)
24. Often feels unhappy when following people’s posts on social media - this makes no sense
Interestingly for me it's the exact opposite. The older I get the less I can relate to being a HSP. My physical pain sensitivity has decreased. When I remember my perceived degree of anxiety seeing a dentist when I was younger...Quote:
Originally Posted by maniac
Right. And...I am countering the statement based on anecdotes, examples I have encountered, and my intuitions that your hypothesis must be incorrect.Quote:
Originally Posted by WinnieW
I was diagnosed as being this when I was younger too lol
i have sensitive nipples
oh and yeah personality wise i'm also super sensitive but just when it comes to feelings and stuff :(
me tooQuote:
Originally Posted by trashman
niceQuote:
Originally Posted by thegreenfaerie
I think I'm the same as maniac actually on the physical pain front. Seems when I was younger I thought I had decent pain tolerance. When I had my wisdom teeth pulled out in my 30's I got some dry sockets and evidently it should have hurt more than it did, but I am squeamish to certain things, like today when I had to get my sutures out. A couple things more recently that were not supposed to hurt too much did hurt me quite a bit. I hate getting my blood drawn too :/Quote:
Originally Posted by WinnieW
From the literature I have read on the matter, it seems like a stamp anyone can give themselves to rationalize their inability to cope with life. I mean, the sheer number of types of High Sensitivity is staggering.
Fortunately, this fashion trend has already passed. It is soooo 2013 to be Highly Sensitive. I understand gender identity disorders are all the rage nowadays.
https://www.the16types.info/vbulleti...1&d=1593156720
On a different subject: anyone been listening to the lastest Khruangbin album already? Sounds fun, doesn't it?
Either you are a freak of nature, or this test is just full of shitty Forer-effect questions.Quote:
Originally Posted by thegreenfaerie
ETA: just today there was a comic strip in a Dutch paper today. The comic is called 'Sigmund', a psychologist:
https://images0.persgroep.net/rcs/7K...9&quality=0.85
The comic is saying this: The woman asks how she can change her character, as she is dissatisfied with her personality. To which Sigmund replies that she shouldn't worry, because once she reaches 50, she will more or less automatically become more honest, relaxed and kind. Bewildered she cries "But I'm only 30!" He tells her to be patient. And privately concludes the young always want everything fast.
Are you an Highly Asshole Person?
1. Do you scam people into thinking there is something wrong with their natural human feelings of sensitivity in order to make more money in your shitty career?
I mean my point is, I do relate to a lot of this but it's sketchy to me to put a bow on it like this as it sort of implies a natural sense of victimhood and like you can't also be both a huge asshole and have these traits at the same time. For example It's sort of natural and human/awkward to feel like you can't be yourself in group situations. Most normal people feel that way, and only weird asshole authoritative ppl feel really comfortable in stuff like that - as they aren't even really 'being themselves' anyway, they are being paid to tell people what to do and exploit vulnerabilities for their own benefit. It doesn't necessarily mean you should use that label for yourself- but I guess if it's so extreme it's hurting ur life maybe it could be helpful for some.
I question the Powers That Be that get authority to decide what constitutes as 'Highly.'
And yes, a lot of those questions are very Forer-effect y.
I am going to read through this thread soon, but I am just responding to the OP for now. Yes, I studied that sometime ago, not recently, but it at the time it was immediately very clear that I fall in the HSP spectrum. So it's not just "I"-folk, it can be "E", too. Though IEE are the most introverted E's they say... (I originally typed myself as MBTI INFP, till I learned more about what MBTI typing really is, and how it works, and it became clear then that I was in fact ENFP. I am an extrovert who grew up in a predominantly introvert family, where my introvert tendencies were reinforced and the extrovert ones discouraged.
___
[Looking over the list of 24, I can see how I have changed over time, and I realize that the years I researched it, I was in a marriage with a narcissist husband (having no idea about narcissism, or verbal or emotional abuse, but living and coping immersed daily in that reality). Also I had a spiritual healing in fall of 2012 that change me dramatically and for good. Sometime I will take the quiz for how I am now now, and reflect also on what I might have answered back then. Life is so much more peaceful with my dual husband, and I often reflect on how amazing it is to live this way, peaceably, and not with constant hurt and anxiety. Which make me curious - could HSP sometimes be situational, like a part of difficult periods of our lives?]
8 out of 24 sounds more like "sometimes sensitive" : )Quote:
Originally Posted by shotgunfingers
Well I relate to the first two categories in the article @thegreenfaerie (sensitivity about oneself and about others) but not to the third one (sensitivity about one's environment). In the first two categories, I identify with almost every point but in the third one maybe one, or two points max.
I suspect they are actually different forms of sensitivity: emotional vs acute senses.
I don't like feeling different from other people. Something doesn't sit right when enneagram 4 types, especially, tell me I'm unique and or gifted. I think everyone had gifts, and much of the language used to talk about these things is counterproductive (see Don't Tell Kids They Are Smart) and segregational. I really wanted to have adhd becuase then my hyperarousal made more sense without people fawning over me in a way that made me feel self-conscious and as though I was being asked to participate in a delusion. The tests don't show adhd, so I'm left with intensity that doesn't meet bipolar criteria, either.Quote:
Originally Posted by snek
I prefer the sensitivity explanations. I am an ectomorph, and philosopher de Beauvoir theorized caution or sensitivity could result from inhabiting a delicate corpse. I'm not weak. I lift people's furniture as a hobby when they move. And I was a commuter cyclist for a decade. But, I'm wiry. And I am entj-reckless with my body, but it screams at me 'No' pretty often...Like when I want to dive for low footballs but have 15% bodyfat and no padding nor health insurance. .
I keep reading articles education professionals write about their 'gifted' students and their mental distress at things like racism or sexism or genocide. I've always been like that. It's systemic thinking, I thought. But I don't know. I don't like it being portrayed as a 'gifted' thing. I think that others(verb) those not deemed gifted, when ...everyone has some gifts.
This all reminds me of the orchid kid and dandelion kid hypothesis. I think that's useful
oh, and if you've lived through your life being in danger and have those genes, I think it ups your sensitivity even more.
I sat in the back of the enormous lecture auditorium, and the recent vet next to me and I were analyzing our choice. He said: "You know, in case anything were to go down."
I don't like the term "gifted" either, but the concept it designates is valid. There are two reasons why I don't like it. First, it gives an impression of superiority, without addressing the issues such individuals may have. Second, it is not intellectually neutral since it implies something about divine intervention in one way or another, "gifts".Quote:
Originally Posted by nanashi
In French we use "haut potentiel" meaning "high potential" to refer to individuals who have a greater capacity to solve intellectual or emotional problems. The concept is valid because such individuals need to identify how they function differently from others, in a qualitative sense. Alot of these people are in situations of academic or professional setbacks if not total failure. This is because society (school, education etc) has a way of imposing problem-solving strategies that are not compatible with how these individuals function.
We certainly need to talk about this more, because if we don't these individuals become lost and may even get destroyed by life's circumstances. If aware of who they are, they can function well above what others are able to do in terms of problem solving. I have seen high potential individuals in both cases.
Note that all high potentials are HSPs as a rule, but not all HSPs have high potential.
Today's Sigmund comic:
https://images3.persgroep.net/rcs/ww...79&quality=0.9
1. I'm Highly Sensitive, not? ... No you're not, quite common
2. But I am prone to depressions? ... No you're not, quite common
3. And my anxieties? ... Very common
4. And nothing can be done about that?!
Being such a moody person I can relate to all of these at times, and other times I'm perfectly fine being insensitive towards other people lol. I'm definitely not HSP since I have the ability to not be HSP.
my senses can be either blunted or intensified.. tbh I don't know if it's by my own will or not.
I think the one thing I get really upset over is screaming.. like if someone is disproportionately angry or scared and begins to scream my heart starts racing and I immediately go into fight or flight..
and this is why I want a woman who ISN'T scared of spiders...
Really any kind of emotional shit easily gets on my nerves.
in any relationship there needs to be one person who isn't neurotic and I'm not that person
you're a delight :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Chiquichiquaquiles
It's nice to hear that expressed so bravely and without blaming it on others. Admirable personal insight.
It's also nice to see the boys who appreciate that kind of thing.
(I'm not making a move on Chiqui)
As an aside: I want to be with a man who notices I like meeting intimidating physical challenges (gang fights, spiders, whatev), and I want him to know I feel good when I have challenges.
The thing is, I think we should express it as a normal variation and a propensity for certain kinds of work but not as across-the-board superior. And unfortunately words like 'high potential' aren't modified by 'in systems design' or in 'conflict resolution', and they end up sounding like uppity chosen ones when we all very much need our mutual humanity and equal worth acknowledged ... and when people soooo easily venerate us for shit that's ...EASY FOR US TO DO. It's way easier for me to Ni-Creative my way through the flaws in a system and help revamp it in minutes of inspiration and pulling Te factoids to back up the whys than it is for me to wash my dishes. Good god does nanashi have to hold her own hand and encourage herself to wash a dish. Feels like I'm dying. lmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Ave
It's not a propensity for certain kinds of work but a form of cognition that's different from the norm, if we're defining the norm as what is expected out of people by society. Note that the form is cognition is different in a qualitative sense more than in a quantitative one. Their optimal problem solving strategies are different. It's a waste of time trying to tell all people they are all the same, when in fact some people really are different in the way they function and trying to get them to compare themselves to "normal" people is actually damaging. This is not about dressing in black and lighting candles and thinking you are different because of it. High potential individuals have a different cognitive process: much faster thoughts, associative thinking that alot of people might find odd, higher empathy, emotional sensitivity, perfectionism etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by nanashi
Also I think it's best to focus mainly on what we are good at, not on fixing what we are bad at. We can work on our weak spots when it comes to professional or personal strengths but I actually think it's better to focus on strong areas. It brings more fullfillment. I'm not sure what you mean by this...
"It's way easier for me to Ni-Creative my way through the flaws in a system and help revamp it in minutes of inspiration and pulling Te factoids to back up the whys than it is for me to wash my dishes."
...Since revamping a system in practice takes more than few minutes, lol.
I think what you're saying is that we have to challenge ourselves, not be complacent in what we are used to doing? I agree with that, if that is what you are saying. I also don't know why focusing on what we innately have potential for is being complacent, it actually sounds delusional to think so. Having potential for something doesn't mean it won't be a challenge.
I'm not sure where you got 'complacent'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Ave
And I understand having different cognition as being fit for unusual work. My being able to rework systems in minutes is not the only work in the world. Yes. I'm sensitive. Yes, I have associative thinking. Yes, I have the perfectionism. But it is only a piece of the pie of work needed in the world.
It's something I added based on what I had understood you had said. Apologies if that is not what you meant.Quote:
Originally Posted by nanashi
I am not denying that at all, I think we're just talking about two different things, haha.Quote:
And I understand having different cognition as being fit for unusual work. My being able to rework systems in minutes is not the only work in the world. Yes. I'm sensitive. Yes, I have associative thinking. Yes, I have the perfectionism. But it is only a piece of the pie of work needed in the world.