[MacEvan]

Having done the test on hsperson.com I seem to have most of the traits of a highly sensitive person. I don’t want to claim any credit for this: it is just something I was born with. I remember how in childhood I reacted strongly to emotional stimuli, prone to tears and anger especially. I was particularly liable to feelings of anxiety and shame (and shame turns quickly into anger). That probably made me rather difficult for my parents and siblings. I also responded strongly to what I read, so that, rather than fiction, which could upset me, I sometimes preferred to read factual books that didn’t produce that kind of personal emotional reaction. I was also very squeamish. I was interested in things medical but felt queasy looking at medical drawings. I certainly avoided biology at school, so never had to face up to the challenge of dissection. I think I regulated what I looked at or read about so as not to arouse my squeamishness (I certainly gave horror films a miss). I seemed to be doing all right at managing my reactions, until one day in my late teens when I stumbled upon someone’s description of having a heart attack. I didn’t stop reading in time. When he described feeling a pain in his chest I felt a pressure in my own. I was frightened: I had time to wonder if I might be having a heart attack, and then I fainted. I remember how mortified I felt when I awoke and realized I had fainted in front of my mother (I suppose I didn’t like the idea of being seen losing control and consciousness). I should say that this was a long time ago and nothing like that has happened to me since. In retrospect it seems rather funny, but of course you don’t feel like that at the time. But I’d be interested to know if anyone has had a similar experience.
I know that one problem with sensitivity is that you can be so aware of your own emotional state that you can fail to notice and acknowledge what other people are feeling. This has certainly been true of me at certain times of my life. But I now realize that if you can direct your sensitivity towards other people, and act so as to take account of how they are feeling, it can be a real asset. I hope that people here find it so. Thanks for reading if you have got this far.

[nicoleflynn]

I am an HSP; I pick up on people's feelings and have all of the traits that the book (THe HSP) explained. I am very aware of others' emotional states. Sensitive to sounds, smells. It is difficult to be sensitive in a world which is for the most part....Not sensitive.

[MacEvan]

Originally Posted by nicoleflynn

I am an HSP; I pick up on people's feelings and have all of the traits that the book (THe HSP) explained. I am very aware of others' emotional states. Sensitive to sounds, smells. It is difficult to be sensitive in a world which is for the most part....Not sensitive.

As I said, I think that I've often been unaware of other people's emotional states, or perhaps react to them without understanding them. But I do understand what you mean about difficulty. Thanks for responding.

[Nike007]

Hello. I did the test from hsperson.com a long time ago and redid it and I am a HSP for sure. Some things were for sure I didn't relate to like low pain tolerance and avoiding violent movies or whatever. I am not a HSS (high sensation seeker I believe). It's from the same site. I generally believe HSP can't be a HSS but according to the site many people are so I guess... I'm not for sure.

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg

I think you can be so finely attuned to yourself that you are oblivious to those around you> That is my problem with HSP. It seems a bit self-centered. Like maybe BPD.

[lavendersage]

Originally Posted by ValentinaVVV

I think you can be so finely attuned to yourself that you are oblivious to those around you> That is my problem with HSP. It seems a bit self-centered. Like maybe BPD.

As an HSP myself, of course that response rubs me a little bit the wrong way.

Your stance is that we're so highly attuned to ourselves (leading to self-centeredness). Well, we're highly attuned to EVERYTHING and EVERYONE - not just ourselves. It can be excruciatingly overwhelming.

While I agree with the OP that, at times, it can make us a little oblivious to others feelings; conversely we can be some of the most empathetic, caring friends you'll ever meet. Make that "people" you'll ever meet; I've extended myself in a caring, supportive way to a fair number of complete strangers over the course of my life.

I have BPD, too.