High sensitivity - the research

The following information is taken from the ‘high sensitivity’ research of Dr Elaine Aron. Whilst this research provides us with an evidence-based body of work, after a decade of my own personal clinical observations and experience working with people who are multi-sensory, I am acutely aware that it is more nuanced than what the science presents us, deserving more elaboration, particularly in relation to how to work optimally with our multiple senses.

Through my observations I have identified that many highly attuned people with healthy esteem, robust physical constitutions and balanced nervous systems (brain chemistry), as well as adequate supports and lifestyles, don’t need as much downtime as the research may suggest, and may be thriving despite some of the traumatic experiences they have been through. For those without adequate supports, however, unresolved trauma and less robust physical constitutions/nervous systems are more likely to rely on unhealthy coping behaviours. These expressions can range from neurotic (self-blaming) tendencies right through to self-focused, narcissistic tendencies. Spoiler alert: highly attuned people may have had to shut down the empathic aspect of their nature to survive their childhood circumstances/environment, using more self-focused strategies to cope.

When generalizing a population in this way, we can erroneously think multi-sensory people are all the same, which couldn’t be further from the truth. We all come to planet earth, as humans, with different passions, missions and assignments. On the one hand, you may find a highly attuned person to be a conservative, value-based, charitable human, while others may identify as a liberal progressive activist for whatever cause/s that are important to them. There is no one 'right, wrong', 'good, bad', 'better than hierarchies', on this front. All is allowed and welcomed for that is reflective of the biodiversity of life itself, keeping the sum of its parts in balance.

Most importantly, it must be stated clearly that high sensitivity is not a trait to be diagnosed or cured. Instead, it is a normal variation of the mainstream temperament. With adequate education and support, highly attuned people have the opportunity to thrive in this world being who they are, as opposed to who they think they should be, to fit into our mainstream 5 sensory culture.

But for those of you interested in the research about this temperament, please find a brief summary below. And for more information you can access the research online at Dr Elaine Aron’s website, https://hsperson.com, as well as her many books for sale online, including The Highly Sensitive Person.

Four characteristics of the Highly Sensitive Temperament based on the research:

1) Depth of perceptual processing using the five senses and beyond. This means higher degrees of empathy (more mirror neurons produced), conscientiousness (awareness of what is needed, and an eye for the finer details) and clear intuitive abilities (when healthy and well). With a deeper awareness of subtleties and nuances in their environment this can lead to…

2) Overarousal, overstimulation and overwhelm in a culture not designed with their sensitive sensory processing system in mind. It is therefore vitally important for HSPs (highly sensitive people) to know what they can handle and take regular downtime as necessary as a part of their toolkit to regulate their more easily-triggered nervous systems. They tend to prefer calm environments to maintain regulation, and stay within their window of tolerance. And if overstimulated beyond their capacity, without the skills to healthily protect and boundary themselves, can find themselves triggered/stuck in a maladaptive stress response. This can lead to mental and physical health issues, especially if there have been less than adequate childhood circumstances. Education and appropriate support is key to healing if such issues have developed.

3) Deeper emotional reactions, both to positive and negative stimuli. A big challenge for HSPs is that they can find themselves deeply distressed about the suffering of others: humans, animals and their environment. Feeling their own emotions more intensely, they are also more inclined to do what it takes to resolve that which is unresolved in their psyche. Hence the 'wounded healer' pattern comes through strongly in many HSPs as they seek to heal self, to heal others.

4) Awareness of others feelings including picking up on the subtle signs of repressed emotions in others, and this can cause confusion and overwhelm as a child without appropriate guidance and support.

Clarification around High Sensitivity:

• 15-20% of the general world population are regarded to be highly sensitive. Dr Elaine Aron has coined them the ‘Priestly Advisors’ (with a stronger ‘pause to check’ system) to their counterparts, the ‘Warrior King’s (with a stronger ‘go for it’ system)
• HSPs are not necessarily more sensitive to other people’s needs, especially if their baseline of wellbeing is not at an adequate level and there is unresolved trauma.
• High Sensitivity is also not all about being overly sensitive to criticism, although this can happen if their baseline of wellbeing is lower than required.
• There is a spectrum of high sensitivity, where individuals can come to understand their own unique flavour of the trait in order to support their body and psyche to cope and thrive in today’s highly stimulating mainstream culture.

Other characteristics that have been found to be correlated with the trait of high sensitivity are:

• They are often the first ones that know what needs to be done, becoming pioneers in different fields ie. Einstein, Ghandi
• Have potential for high creativity
• Can be sensitive to physical pain
• Have a rich, complex inner life and/or connection with soul/spirit life
• Prefer meaningful conversation topics with depth over small talk
• 70% are introverts, the remaining 30% regard themselves to be extraverted
• There are equal numbers of HSPs in males and females
• The trait of 'high sensation seeking', with one foot on the brakes and the other on the gas simultaneously, can be a challenge for some HSPs who have a desire to explore, are easily bored and feel a need to take action, despite having a nervous system that can't handle as much as they would like it to. This can lead to a physical crash/burn out state.