Page name: HSP United [Exported view] [RSS]
2008-02-21 23:50:52
Last author: Janouk
Owner: Ocean Dreaming
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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

Another test, though it is not quite as interactive can be found on
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. - 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. - While this is mainly in promotion of a book, it contains excerpts that might be of interest to an HSP. - This offers another way of contacting other HSPs and offers yet more insight into this trait. - a blog about living sensitive. - personal website of dr Kyra Mesich. Has links to newsletters and lists various other possibly helpful information.

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]
[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...
[Tapestry of Destiny]
[x Drama Queen\+]
[Artsieladie] Oh, yeah..
[frogster] I didn't know this existed and wow am I HSP!
[-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 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
[~Lady Morgana~] I do not think we are too sensetive, the world is just not nice enough!

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2006-01-30 [zoloftzantac]: for me it depends, a lot of scents are fine, even if they are strong, natural things are mostly okay, I think it is the scented chemicals that they come up with in labs that bother me most of the time. What is your sweater made of?

2006-01-30 [Sunrose]: It's raylon, nylon and cotton, but I have never been allergic to that....since I bought this new one I have been sneezing, having an itchy throat and itchy eyes all day long -_- (a lot like my hayfever, but it's not them time for that yet)

2006-01-31 [Sunrose]: Edit: Now I was told there is 5% angora in it must be that then I guess. Though I have not been allergic to that before. And have actually at this moment a pretty itchy throat without having had the sweater near me...

2006-04-11 [zoloftzantac]: I have figured out that I have a necklace that I like a lot, made for me by a dear friend, that I can no longer wear. When I put it on, it doesn't take very long at all before my throat is bothered, and within a few days I start to feel like my throat is swelling and I am having trouble breathing. I take it off and I'm back to normal in less that an hour *sigh* there are a few kinds of stone and metal beads on it, I have no idea what it is that makes me react like that.

2006-04-11 [Sunrose]: Sometimes using transparant nailpolish works.. :)

2006-04-11 [zoloftzantac]: I'll try that ^_^ I really like the necklace a lot *and* it was a special hand made gift from a very good frined so I want to keep wearing it. *has to go buy some nail polish*

2006-04-11 [~Lady Morgana~]: Sorry to interrupt your talk but wow, I never knew there is something like HS ... all my live long I was called over emotional or melodramatic ... mainly by an ex. :S

2006-04-11 [Linderel]: *sighs* That is always so hurtful. But isn't it a good thing, then, that you found us? :)

2006-04-11 [~Lady Morgana~]: Yes I think so :S He thought it wasn't that bad but yes I am glad that I found you! I need to read a little bit more about it. I made the test though ...

2006-04-12 [zoloftzantac]: Hello [~Lady Morgana~] He thought it wasn't that bad Ahh, yeah right, I bet he didn't, that is the funny thing about the world, the same things do not affect us all the same. I think this wiki is great, it is good to have a little support, or to know that there are other people like one's self. ^_^

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: Exactly! I am so glad that there are actually people out there, who think like me, or feel like me ... It can be hard to deal with people who always say that I am too sensetive or dramatic ....

2006-04-12 [Rye]: My mother always told me that I was too sensitive as well. You are right, it is hard, especially when it comes from someone who is supposed to love you unconditionally. It is wonderful that we are able to come here and be there for each other.

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: Yes especially parents ... I was used to cry very often and my mother called me crybaby, now I am not able to cry infront of other people anymore ... she is very sorry by now but it is still kind of bad I think ... How about now? Does she understand it?

2006-04-12 [Rye]: No, she still says that I'm overly dramatic. I have a hard time crying in front of people too. It was concidered weakness by my dad.

2006-04-12 [Rye]: A lot of people say I think too much. I thought that it was a good thing, but they say it is more like dwelling on things than anything else. I would think that it would be hard to really know who you were if you didn't think often. I may be wrong

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: It is horrible how people stomp on our feelings ... *hugs [Rye]*

2006-04-12 [Rye]: Thank you *hugs back*

2006-04-12 [~Lady Morgana~]: *^.^*

2006-06-20 [~Lady Morgana~]: Hey I never signed up ><

2006-06-20 [Sunrose]: :p

2006-06-20 [~Lady Morgana~]: Silly me XD

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