As we know language is a living thing, so much that words change meaning through time and even throughout culture. In Brazil alone, a word can have multiple meanings depending on the area you are speaking it.
Sensitivity is within this range of words which can be seen as something amazing or as something not that good.
This topic was brought to our attention mainly because, at Brisk, we focus a lot on empathy and knowing the student, or else how would we be able to customize our classes if we don’t really understand your struggles, your needs and what will make you learn better and faster?
For this reason we ended up finding the https://hsperson.com/ website, from where we based this article, that talks about a specific group of people, that are thought to make up roughly 20% of the general population
A highly sensitive person (HSP) is someone who is thought to have an increased or deeper central nervous system sensitivity to physical, emotional, or social stimuli. Some refer to this as having sensory processing sensitivity, or SPS for short. If you have most of the traits listed below, you are probably a highly sensitive person!
Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
Do you need to withdraw during busy days, into bed or a darkened room or some other place where you can have privacy and relief from the situation?
Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
Highly sensitive people may benefit from finding ways to cope with the stresses they often face. This is true for those who recognize themselves as highly sensitive as well as those who have a loved one who is more sensitive than the average person.
What Causes High Sensitivity?
High sensitivity can be caused by variety of factors such as evolution, environment, genetics, and early childhood experience, and it exists in at least 100 other species aside from humans. Research suggests that high sensitivity is an evolutionary trait that increases the likelihood of survival because HSPs are on the lookout for potential predators or dangerous situations. Of course, constantly being on guard when there aren't any immediate threats often results in anxiety.
Genetics may contribute to high sensitivity. Specifically, the dopamine system may play a role. It affects personality and may make some people more prone than others to becoming highly sensitive. High sensitivity is also hereditary meaning that there is a higher chance that you will be highly sensitive if high sensitivity runs in your family.
In addition, a person's genes may evolve in response to negative early experiences, making them more susceptible to becoming an HSP.
While high sensitivity is often confused with other mental health conditions, it's important to remember that high sensitivity can occur alongside other mental health conditions. For instance, a person can have ADHD and be an HSP, or have SPD and also be an HSP.
Being an HSP comes with both advantages and challenges. It is possible to be too easily offended by people who mean no harm or who are trying their best to be kind. It is also possible to overreact to daily stressors or relationship issues, particularly if you become emotionally aggressive as a response.
However, being an HSP doesn’t necessarily mean that you imagine negative motives when they are not there. It is more that you perceive them more easily. Or, you may be affected more deeply by negative experiences, which is not necessarily a weakness.
Some of the ways that being an HSP might impact your life include:
You might avoid situations that leave you feeling overwhelmed.
You might be highly touched by beauty or emotionality.
You may have close relationships with others.
You may be grateful for the life you have.
A major benefit of being an HSP is the ability to empathize. Empathy is a tool that can promote strong relationships and a deeply fulfilling emotional life. Of course, it's important to differentiate between your feelings and others' feelings.
If you know how to manage the unique features of being an HSP, you can make it more of a strength and less of a challenge in your life. To do this, it helps to understand what you’re dealing with, whether you are doing this for yourself or trying to build a deeper understanding of someone in your life who may be highly sensitive.
If you find you are highly sensitive, or your child is, here’s something important to keep in mind:
Your trait is normal. It is found in 15 to 20% of the population–too many to be a disorder, but not enough to be well understood by the majority of those around you.
It is innate. In fact, biologists have found it in over 100 species (and probably there are many more) from fruit flies, birds, and fish to dogs, cats, horses, and primates. This trait reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting. The brains of highly sensitive persons (HSPs) actually work a little differently than others’.
You are more aware than others of subtleties. This is mainly because your brain processes information and reflects on it more deeply. So even if you wear glasses, for example, you see more than others by noticing more.
You are also more easily overwhelmed. If you notice everything, you are naturally going to be overstimulated when things are too intense, complex, chaotic, or novel for a long time.
This trait is not a new discovery, but it has been misunderstood. Because HSPs prefer to look before entering new situations, they are often called “shy.” But shyness is learned, not innate. In fact, 30% of HSPs are extroverts, although the trait is often mislabeled as introversion. It has also been called inhibitedness, fearfulness, or neuroticism. Some HSPs behave in these ways, but it is not innate to do so and not the basic trait.
Sensitivity is valued differently in different cultures. In cultures where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They are told “don’t be so sensitive” so that they feel abnormal.
As everything that is different there’s a little bit of stigma associated with those that are “too” sensitive when in fact they are more well-adjusted, empathetic and more likely to get around difficult situations once they can read them better, so we have a lot to learn from HSPs, and from anyone that brings a different perspective to our lives.
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