Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron. According to Aron’s theory, HSPs are a subset of the population who are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity , or SPS. People with high levels of SPS have increased emotional sensitivity, stronger reactivity to both external and internal stimuli—pain, hunger, light, and noise—and a complex
What Is Highly Sensitive Person? (Plain Language Explanation)
Highly Sensitive Person refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Highly Sensitive Person
- Symptoms: The specific ways highly sensitive person shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen highly sensitive person
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When highly sensitive person occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Highly Sensitive Person
- Highly Sensitive Person is far more common than most people realize
- Highly Sensitive Person is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with highly sensitive person see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about highly sensitive person is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing highly sensitive person, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.