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.


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.


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.


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.


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. ^-^


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.


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.


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]