I'm wondering if anyone else has ever come across this theory . According to Elaine N. Aron, PhD HSP's don't have a personality disorder but rather it is a trait that's present in about 15 to 20% of the population.

This is the definition from Wikipedia.

"A highly sensitive person (HSP) is a person having the innate trait of high sensory processing sensitivity (or innate sensitiveness as Carl Jung originally coined it. According to Elaine N. Aron and colleagues as well as other researchers, highly sensitive people, who compose of about a fifth of the population (equal numbers in men and women), may process sensory data much more deeply and thoroughly due to a biological difference in their nervous systems. This is a specific trait, with key consequences for how we view people, that in the past has often been confused with innate shyness, social anxiety problems, inhibitedness, social phobia and innate fearfulness, and introversion. The trait is measured using the HSP Scale, which has been demonstrated to have both internal and external validity. Although the term is primarily used to describe humans, something similar to the trait is present in over 100 other species.,"

Another description.

"Aron has defined highly sensitive persons (HSPs) in terms of "an increased sensitivity to stimulation" and being "more aware of subtleties and process(ing) information in a deeper, more reflective way. By implication, HSPs "pick up so much subtle information, then pause and reflect before they act" and thus "aren't going to do impulsive things...that get people into a lot of trouble." She added that HSPs "have valuable information—like the canaries in the mine (that) sound the alarm when something is wrong," but are often misunderstood.,"

This is taken from another site on HSP's

"You, your partner, or someone important to you have a heightened awareness of subtleties in your environment, whether it's sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell.

You can become stressed out and upset when overwhelmed and may find it necessary to get away, maybe into a darkened room, to seek solitude, relief and comfort.

You are very creative.

You are very conscientious, hard working, and meticulous, but may become uncomfortable and less efficient or productive when being watched or scrutinized.

You feel compelled to file and organize things and thoughts, also enjoy simplicity and may become overwhelmed or even immobilized by chaos, clutter, or stress.

You are very uncomfortable when feeling things are getting out of your control.

You get a sense of comfort and well being when around a lake, river, stream, the ocean, or even a fountain.

You may experience mood swings, sometimes occurring almost instantly and can also be affected by other people's moods, emotions and problems.

You have a deep, rich, inner life, are very spiritual, and may also have vivid dreams.

You are very intuitive and you feel that you can usually sense if someone isn't telling the truth or if something else is wrong.

You get concerned and think or worry about many things, and have also been told "you take things too personally."

You have had the experience of "cutting people out" of your life.

You were considered quiet, introverted, timid, or shy as a child.

Here are a few more to consider... Can be startled easily. Cautious in new situations. May have trouble sleeping. Extra sensitive to pain. Don't like crowds (unless they are kindred spirits). Avoids violent movies and TV shows. Has a deep respect and appreciation of nature, music and art.,"

This describes me in so many ways. Another aspect of it is HSP's have a deep empathy for other people but are often afraid to show it out of fear of rejection.
The bad side of it is if someone who is HSP has had alot of traumatic experiences this can effect them much more deeply than someone who doesn't have this trait making them more prone to chronic depression and other mental issues.

http://www.hsperson.com/

[iwishicould]

Hi Scott,
haven't heard of this theory,but It certainly decribes me.

[Snap66]

Its not possible to self diagnose when what has been described above fits many other anxiety disorders.

Respectfully said.

[nicoleflynn]

Iam also an HSP....hard to live in a world which isn't sensitive.

[AzulOscuro]

I'm also a quite sensitive person. According to Theodore Millón's classification, I suit to the kind of avoidant who is Hypersensitive.
I see myself identified with what you have pósted.

The problem of being hypersensitive is that you suffer as hell, but you can also use this sensitiviness for your own sake. For example, if you are a sensitive person you tend to act with caution to avoid hurt someone's feelings. You also can use it to understand people better and being moré understanding with their weakness.

I've read a book about this and it fits me. I've also read several books about shyness, introversion and social anxiety. Each book usually states not to confuse one with the other....but man, I've got em all, lol.

[Verity81]

I'm hsp hyper sensitive 20+ scorer! I get sick to death of a noisey, on the go world!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh my goodness that is me !

[bounceback]

It is me also.

[ormr]

Originally Posted by Scott900091

" Here are a few more to consider... Can be startled easily. Cautious in new situations. May have trouble sleeping. Extra sensitive to pain. Don't like crowds (unless they are kindred spirits). Avoids violent movies and TV shows. Has a deep respect and appreciation of nature, music and art.,"

This describes me in so many ways. Another aspect of it is HSP's have a deep empathy for other people but are often afraid to show it out of fear of rejection.
The bad side of it is if someone who is HSP has had alot of traumatic experiences this can effect them much more deeply than someone who doesn't have this trait making them more prone to chronic depression and other mental issues.

It describes me too with all the descriptions, but the problem is that they are saying that it " has often been confused with innate shyness, social anxiety problems, inhibitedness, social phobia and innate fearfulness, and introversion"...but I not only am I really sensitive, but shy and introverted too (well, all of what they are saying since I'm socially awkward and anxious too) . And all the signs/symptoms I found about AvPD are all describing me. So I'm a bit lost, I don't know if you can have several disorders/traits...

[Fuzzybear]