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 highly attuned, multi-sensory beings, I am acutely aware that it is more nuanced than what the science presents us with, and deserves more elaboration, particularly in relation to how to work optimally with our multiple senses, and in particular, the spiritual component of this.
Through my observations I have identified highly attuned people with healthy esteem, robust physical constitutions and adequate supports and lifestyles, who 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. Those without adequate supports, however, unresolved trauma and less robust physical constitutions are likely to (like all humans) to be reliant on unhealthy coping behaviours to survive in the world. 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 the empathic aspect of their nature to survive in the world. Additionally when generalizing a population in this way, we can erroneously think multi-sensory beings are all the same, which couldn’t be further from the truth. We all come to planet earth, as humans, with different passions, missions, assignments, strengths and weaknesses. On the one hand, you may find a highly attuned person to be a conservative, values-based, charitable human while others identify as progressive liberal activists 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 beautiful 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 sensitive 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 the mainstream five-sensory world. 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 Dr Aron's 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 (with a healthy psyche). 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 nervous systems in mind. It is therefore vitally important for HSPs (highly sensitive people) to take regular downtime and have the skills to regulate their more easily triggered nervous systems that are picking up on a multiplicity of subtleties and nuances in their environment, from slight temperature changes to suppressed emotional content in others. They 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. Mental and physical health issues have been found to be more prevalent for this temperament, especially if there have been less than adequate childhood circumstances. Education and appropriate support is key to healing and recovery 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 emotions more intensely they are more inclined to do what it takes to resolve that which is uncomfortable in their psyche. Hence the 'wounded healer' is a strong pattern coming through in HSPs as they heal self to heal others from my clinical observations. 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 coining 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 over-sensitive to criticism, although this can happen if, once again, their baseline of wellbeing is lower than required. • High sensitivity is not a trait to be diagnosed or cured. Instead it is a normal variation of the mainstream temperament • 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 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 • Potential for high creativity • Sensitive to physical pain • Have a rich, complex inner life and/or connection with soul/spirit life • Prefer meaningful conversation topics with depth over short talk • 70% are introverts, the remaining 30% regard themselves to be extraverted • There are equal numbers of HSPs in males and females • High sensation seeking (one foot on the brakes and the other on the gas) is another 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.
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AuthorKira Follas is a qualified counsellor and works as Wellness Practitioner and Group Facilitator in New Zealand. She is also a survivor and thriver of multiple physical and mental-emotional adversities and is a Mum to two awesome teenage lads :) Archives
September 2024
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