Highly Sensitive Persons and Empaths

The phrase Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, was originally coined by Dr Elaine Aron and represents a group of people with specific psychological attributes. ‘Sensitive’ does not mean neurotic or paranoid or taking things personally, it relates to their ability to pick up and sense subtleties and changes, whether related to language, emotions, energy or patterns of behaviour.

An HSP sees things more deeply and processes things to a greater degree than most other people, meaning that they see and sense connections that others wouldn’t. They can connect events and behaviours in a way that others don’t, meaning they often see the ‘big picture’ more clearly than others, and can work things out before many of their family and colleagues.

But this can cause problems if they don’t realise that other people don’t see the world this way. A sensitive may feel that others are blind to ‘obvious’ differences or are too superficial, which can make a sensitive feel very out of place in the world. Competitive environments or busy, noisy offices or groups where criticism, judgement and pressure are commonplace can be a living hell for someone who is sensitive. Their senses can feel like they are literally overwhelmed so they would tend to steer clear of busy shopping centres, for example, or concerts and cinemas.

HSPs also tend to be very empathic and compassionate. Their ability to see and feel differently and in a wide variety of ways makes them able to appreciate how other people are feeling, so they naturally have high levels of empathy. But for some people this empathy is raised to a whole new level and they are what is referred to as an Empath. If someone had a headache, for example, an Empath would literally feel a pain in their own head and not know that it wasn’t their own headache.

So an Empath has an extra set of difficulties. Imagine going into a busy shopping arcade and feeling everyone else’s physical pains and difficult emotions as if they were your own.

Mindfulness can help with both of these situations by helping you see what’s going on and how you respond to it. You can then navigate the world more effectively from a position of greater understanding and awareness.

There are some useful sites that can help you assess yourself to see whether you are HSP or an Empath, together with giving excellent guidance and support in how to live well and thrive with these traits.

Elain Aron – The Highly Sensitive Person

Highly Sensitive Refuge – https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/

How to Spot if you are an Empath – https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/empath-signs/

Judith Orloff – https://drjudithorloff.com/