Wiki:
Page name: HSP United [Logged in view] [RSS]
2008-02-21 23:50:52
Last author: Janouk
Owner: Ocean Dreaming
# of watchers: 17
Fans: 0
D20: 20
Bookmark and Share
<img:stuff/header.jpg>


<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

What is HSP?

HSP is an abbreviation meaning 'Highly Sensitive Person'. It's a term first used by Elaine Aron, the first psychologist to make HSP a study.
It is not, however, a new phenomena. It's inherited and often mislabeled as shyness, introversion or similar.

Being highly sensitive means that one has a much more sensitive nervous system, thus these people are more often and more easily overwhelmed or overstimulated. It can, but does not have to, go paired with keener senses. Highly sensitive people will process and reflect on information deeper.

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

How do you know if you are highly sensitive?

There is a self-test on Elaine Aron's website about HSP that you could consider taking. It's located at http://www.hsperson.com/pages/test.htm

Another test, though it is not quite as interactive can be found on http://www.supersensitiveperson.com/selftest2.html
It's more comprehensive than the previous.

Please note that any tests you take are not the be-all or end-all of your life. Use them as indicators, not absolute facts.

If you are highly sensitive, it is possible that you experience a strong emotional reaction to hearing the word or suddenly pieces of your life have fallen into place.

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

Why is it important to be aware of this?

As said, being highly sensitive means that you are more easily stressed out and modern day's quick-quick lifestyle doesn't do these people any good.
Going through this life without knowing one's own gift isn't healthy. People burn out or worse.

Being told that 'you're overly sensitive' can destroy a person's self-worth, especially when it is something that cannot be helped. If you are highly sensitive, it's a part of you (actually, highly sensitive people have a higher cortisol level which causes the overstimulation). It won't go away. Your life will probably improve if you're actively aware of your gift and when you're heading for a situation that your body can't handle.

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

HSP Stories
Come share your story with others. It's good to be amongst people who will understand your situation, not everyone understands what it's like to be highly sensitive.

HSP Stories.

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

HSP Discussion

A forum for HSPs or otherwise more sensitive people to discuss matters of sensitivity. Or rather -if you have questions about HSP or related matters you can go here instead of watching this page all the time. ^-~
You can also post if you just need a bit of support at any given time. We all go through our own crises, let's try to be there for one another.

Due to the possibility that people will post personal stories (avisory note - be careful how much you reveal), the forum is invite only. We don't want (or need) people who are just out to cause trouble or upset people.
That said, it IS possible that people post controversial issues. Please denote this at the beginning of your post. ^-^

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

Miscellanous Sections of HSP United

HSP Banners - Very few people know about HSP, or that they have it. Banners to put on your wiki-pages or in your descriptions.

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

Resources and Links

Feel free to add to this list, but please remember to give a short explanation of the resource and, where needed, complete information. Books should include title, author, year of publishment and ISBN number so they're easier to find.

www.hsperson.com - A concise and comprehensive site about HSP by Elaine Aron. It covers the basic information and provides you with a test to indicate whether you could be highly sensitive or whether you are raising a highly sensive child.

http://www.hspsurvival.com/ - While this is mainly in promotion of a book, it contains excerpts that might be of interest to an HSP.

http://sensitiveperson.com/ - This offers another way of contacting other HSPs and offers yet more insight into this trait.

http://highlysensitivesouls.com/blog/ - a blog about living sensitive.

http://www.kyramesich.com/ - personal website of dr Kyra Mesich. Has links to newsletters and lists various other possibly helpful information.

Credits:
Thanks go out to [Ocean Dreaming] for the creation of this wiki and subwikis.

<img:stuff/hsp_div.jpg>

Highly Sensitive People United Members
(Please add your name below the last.)
[Ocean Dreaming]
[Sunrose]
[Jeed] I am believe it or not
[ally] is confused by the high score on that test...does this mean I'm sick? O.o
[Shainn] A little above the limit...
[Hazel]
[justlikelastime]
[Tapestry of Destiny]
[Linderel]
[x Drama Queen\+]
[Artsieladie] Oh, yeah..
[Lennever]
[frogster] I didn't know this existed and wow am I HSP!
[Blaithin]
[-tsukasa-] I'm a HSP but it depends on my mood HOW sensative 
[The Kind Lady Renee] I don't really want to admit it, but I felt that all 27 questions fit me...my mom always said I was too sesitive...and I guess I am...I cry over nothing, for crying out loud!
[zoloftzantac] - noises & lights bother me, strong smells give me a quick headache
[Rye]
[~Lady Morgana~] I do not think we are too sensetive, the world is just not nice enough!
[earthkynd]

Username (or number or email):

Password:

2005-05-22 [Sunrose]: You made the wiki I once planned to make hehe. It looks good, well done ^_^

2005-05-22 [Ocean Dreaming]: Thanks. ^-^

2005-05-23 [Ocean Dreaming]: [ally], you're not sick. ^-^ You're just a more sensitive person than the majority of the world. Tis a gift. ^-^

2005-05-23 [Sunrose]: And a curse sometimes too =P ([ally], do you have to stalk me everywhere?! :P j/k...cool to see you here too ^^ )

2005-05-25 [Ocean Dreaming]: I strongly recommend the articles on sensitiveperson.com if people are looking for both more personal and broader information on HSP. ^-^ Becoming aware of this gift can be an ordeal of its own. There's plenty of pitfalls.

2005-05-27 [Janouk]: Thank you for pointing me on this, I find it very interesting.

2005-05-27 [Ocean Dreaming]: Not a problem. ^-^

2005-06-03 [Ocean Dreaming]: Ooh.. Sunrose sent me a quotation from an article that might be of interest. Tis Dutch though. Anybody interested in seeing whether the fair use clause covers translations? ^-~

2005-06-07 [Linderel]: This certainly would explain a WHOLE lot of things. Including my panic attacks. I got nineteen points in the test, I'm still not sure if I should join though...

2005-06-07 [Ocean Dreaming]: There are many 'classifications' that would befit HSP. Introversion is one of the mentioned ones. I'd suggest looking up more information about it and see how much of yourself you can recognise. ^-^ As for joining... I'm hoping that I can create a small safe haven for us sensitive people here on Elftown where we can offer each other support. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it's very good to realise that you're not alone. There are hunderds of people who are different in the same way you are. ^-^ That's one of the main goals. Helping people realise that who they are has a name and that there are more people who have to deal with the same type of problems.

2005-06-07 [Linderel]: Nearly everything fits too well to be ignored. I think-- I'm in.

2005-06-07 [Ocean Dreaming]: Welcome to the wondrous world that is HSP. ^-^ It's not always easy (especially in this day and age), but that's why it's important to realise and embrace who we are. More so than for the 85% of people that aren't so sensitive. I'm still learning about it myself and I am far from calling myself from being an expert, but I'll do my best to answer any questions people might have. ^-^

2005-06-14 [Artsieladie]: Oh, yeah,...but I think that it gives me a great tool into a deeper level of insight! Sometimes this is real handy...and sometimes it can feel like an additional weight that you carry around! :D <> ,^_^, <> :D ...etc...

2005-06-23 [empty__house]: Thanks Calann that I've found this. The same - this explains a lot. I didn't think the test was necessary, but I went through it - 26 points.

2005-06-23 [Ocean Dreaming]: HSP definitely is both a blessing and a bane, [Artsieladie]. ^-^ It's also very easy to ignore the good it does us. ^-^ As a question, would anyone be interested in a section of exersizes that might help heighten your senses and/or calm them?

2005-06-26 [Artsieladie]: I think that I would be.... :D

2005-06-26 [Linderel]: Someone just commented on my Livejournal like this (translated): "After reading your poetry I just had to share with you the feeling they gave me. I just couldn't help myself." And the rest of that second sentence was a link to http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/foxes.php . I'm slightly mad at myself for letting an anonymous person hurt me with their comment, but I can't help it. I also have no idea why I'm whining about it in here.

2005-06-27 [Ocean Dreaming]: Feel free to whine as much and as long as you like. ^-^ *hugs* I know how comments like that feel and I know how hard it is (especially for HSPs!) to ignore comments like that. Probably they're just jealous of the fact that you write wonderful poetry and they don't. People who can't handle that lash out at those who can. It's childish, hurtful and cowardly, but it says more about their own inability to come to terms with themselves than what the factual text is saying. I know, me saying this isn't much and it certainly doesn't undo the comment, but I hope it helps in some way. ^-^

2005-06-27 [Ocean Dreaming]: You're a wonderful poet, [Linderel] and it's a pleasure to read your work. If they're too immature to deal with who they are - that's their problem. One of the things we need to learn is not making things our problem, because we tend to do that. *hugs again* I'm sorry if I sound preachy, I don't mean to. It might not even be as effective for you as it is for me. ^-^;; What I've taught myself is not so much to let it slide but to let it bounce back. I don't deserve being treated like that just because someone else can't accept who they are (or who I am). Neither do you.

2005-06-27 [Ocean Dreaming]: You don't deserve to feel bad because someone else is taking their frustration out on you in the most cowardly fashion imaginable. You're a good poet and lovely person. You deserve to feel good about that and to take pride in that. ^-^ Never let anyone or anything tell you differently.

2005-06-27 [Linderel]: ...yeah. Thanks. It still stings a bit, but your and other people's kind words have soothed the pain. I never did get good at fending off the bull that's been thrown at me. Sigh. But, yeah. Thanks again. It means a lot to me, to know that there are people who think I'm actually worth something, as a person and a writer.

2005-06-28 [Ocean Dreaming]: *smiles* You're definitely worth heaps and heaps of positive events.

2005-11-06 [pixish]: Why is the test measured in fractions? :$ I suck at them >_< confuzzle :P

2005-11-25 [Sunrose]: The childhoodsections I find pretty difficult to answer..I can't remember and your environment doesn't always react to you as the test describe's even when you are HSP.... . There is a good Dutch test, but most of you can't read that one :/ Here is another test http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/sensitivity-test.asp  and here is a link to more websites about it: http://www.sensitiveperson.com/links.htm

2005-11-30 [spincrus]: Wow, 16 of the ones in that online test apply to me.

2005-11-30 [Sunrose]: Then you might want to do some more reading and see if you recognise more ;)

2006-01-08 [The Kind Lady Renee]: Hello. My name is Kit...Is there a way that you can control this disease?

2006-01-08 [Sunrose]: It's no a disease :)

2006-01-08 [The Kind Lady Renee]: Okay...what I ment was is there a way that I can control it...or at least point me to something I can read about it, perhaps? I sound angry don't I? I'm sorry I don't mean to.

2006-01-08 [Sunrose]: Well, this page was written for a reason, go take a look at what it says ;)

2006-01-08 [The Kind Lady Renee]: sorry..

2006-01-28 [zoloftzantac]: I knew this was me right away, before I took the test. I can't go within an aisle of the scented cleaners in a supermarket or else I'll get an instant bad headache. Can't go near the perfume area of Macy's for the same reason. If there is a car alarm going off a block away, I can not focus on what I was doing until it stops, and bright lights ... lets just say the sun and I don't get along, but then that's why it is 5 pm here and I'm just waking up. The other stuff was interesting, having people's moods affect me and being moved by music sounds like me also. *reads more about it*

2006-01-28 [Sunrose]: I don't get a headache of smells immediately, but I can't go to a perfume store because afterwards I know I will be attacked by a headache that will cause for me to have to stay in bed all day >_< I also notice the smell of sigarette smoke within seconds, even if it is only on someone's clothes. And more of the things you also said..

2006-01-29 [zoloftzantac]: For strong smells I get a headache right away, that just gets worse and worse until I get away from the smell. My headache seems to go away pretty fast tho once I get away. About smoke, I often notice smoke that other people can't seem to smell. So, it is almost 7 am here so I need to go to sleep before the sun comes ...

2006-01-29 [Sunrose]: Hmm I mostly need to sleep and then I'll wake up without a headache :P but if in the next days I smeel perfume again the headache might slip right back in :o

2006-01-29 [zoloftzantac]: yeah, it is no fun. it has helped me to be attracted to hippie women who don't care much for perfume and scented deoderant, hair products, skin products, product products, etc., etc.

2006-01-29 [Sunrose]: For me it is more that I can't handle an overdose :P I'm fine when someone wears perfume, I just die in perfume stores :P And all of a sudden I have developed an allergy for one of my sweaters O.o

2006-01-30 [zoloftzantac]: for me it depends, a lot of scents are fine, even if they are strong, natural things are mostly okay, I think it is the scented chemicals that they come up with in labs that bother me most of the time. What is your sweater made of?

2006-01-30 [Sunrose]: It's raylon, nylon and cotton, but I have never been allergic to that....since I bought this new one I have been sneezing, having an itchy throat and itchy eyes all day long -_- (a lot like my hayfever, but it's not them time for that yet)

2006-01-31 [Sunrose]: Edit: Now I was told there is 5% angora in it too...it must be that then I guess. Though I have not been allergic to that before. And have actually at this moment a pretty itchy throat without having had the sweater near me...

2006-04-11 [zoloftzantac]: I have figured out that I have a necklace that I like a lot, made for me by a dear friend, that I can no longer wear. When I put it on, it doesn't take very long at all before my throat is bothered, and within a few days I start to feel like my throat is swelling and I am having trouble breathing. I take it off and I'm back to normal in less that an hour *sigh* there are a few kinds of stone and metal beads on it, I have no idea what it is that makes me react like that.

2006-04-11 [Sunrose]: Sometimes using transparant nailpolish works.. :)

2006-04-11 [zoloftzantac]: I'll try that ^_^ I really like the necklace a lot *and* it was a special hand made gift from a very good frined so I want to keep wearing it. *has to go buy some nail polish*

2006-04-11 [~Lady Morgana~]: Sorry to interrupt your talk but wow, I never knew there is something like HS ... all my live long I was called over emotional or melodramatic ... mainly by an ex. :S

2006-04-11 [Linderel]: *sighs* That is always so hurtful. But isn't it a good thing, then, that you found us? :)

2006-04-11 [~Lady Morgana~]: Yes I think so :S He thought it wasn't that bad but yes I am glad that I found you! I need to read a little bit more about it. I made the test though ...

2006-04-12 [zoloftzantac]: Hello [~Lady Morgana~] He thought it wasn't that bad Ahh, yeah right, I bet he didn't, that is the funny thing about the world, the same things do not affect us all the same. I think this wiki is great, it is good to have a little support, or to know that there are other people like one's self. ^_^

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: Exactly! I am so glad that there are actually people out there, who think like me, or feel like me ... It can be hard to deal with people who always say that I am too sensetive or dramatic ....

2006-04-12 [Rye]: My mother always told me that I was too sensitive as well. You are right, it is hard, especially when it comes from someone who is supposed to love you unconditionally. It is wonderful that we are able to come here and be there for each other.

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: Yes especially parents ... I was used to cry very often and my mother called me crybaby, now I am not able to cry infront of other people anymore ... she is very sorry by now but it is still kind of bad I think ... How about now? Does she understand it?

2006-04-12 [Rye]: No, she still says that I'm overly dramatic. I have a hard time crying in front of people too. It was concidered weakness by my dad.

2006-04-12 [Rye]: A lot of people say I think too much. I thought that it was a good thing, but they say it is more like dwelling on things than anything else. I would think that it would be hard to really know who you were if you didn't think often. I may be wrong

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: It is horrible how people stomp on our feelings ... *hugs [Rye]*

2006-04-12 [Rye]: Thank you *hugs back*

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: *^.^*

2006-06-20 [~Lady Morgana~]: Hey I never signed up ><

2006-06-20 [Sunrose]: :p

2006-06-20 [~Lady Morgana~]: Silly me XD

Number of comments: 58
Older comments: (Last 200) 2 1 .0.

Show these comments on your site

Elftown - Wiki, forums, community and friendship.