Podcast 333: Are you a Highly Sensitive Person? Signs & Tips on how to navigate life as an HSP

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: The word “sensitive” has both positive and negative connotations in our society, from statements like “he’s such a sensitive person” to phrases like “don’t be so sensitive!”. Yet the nature of human sensitivity is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to recognizing and dealing with highly sensitive people.

As I discuss in this week’s with psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Elaine Aron, a significant percentage of the population (regardless of gender, race or nationality) are highly sensitive individuals, although many of them don’t know they are highly sensitive, or what that means for the way they interact with others, express their emotions, deal with disapproval or parent their children.

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PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
2:49 How Dr. Elaine coined the term “highly sensitive person”
5:00 Why highly sensitive people are not just introverts
6:18 What does the term highly sensitive mean?
10:28 The word “sensitive” has both positive and negative connotations
14:00 Raising sensitive boys
16:08 How to manage your sensitivity
31:40 Parenting as a highly sensitive person
48:10 Getting over the ideal of the perfect person
55:00 Why you need to find a therapist that works for you

[elizabethschilling]

I'm an highly sensitive person, and at 53 years old finally understanding myself. Thank you for this discussion.

[annetallegrand]

I remember feeling so confused about my extroversion! I wondered how was it that people drained me, but I loved them😂 and I needed to be around them. But also did not want to always be around people or a crowd.

[percubit]

I am a sensitive person and I feel energy deeply. I am very creative and I get very emotional, I can't be around people who are sarcastic, make jokes, and are condescending. My dad used to tease me and tell me to change not realizing that I can't change my nature. I am a musician and an Engineer. I love the arts and the finer things of life. I am an INFP and also love the outdoors. I need to be in the right environment because I hate taking shortcuts. I don't like being around very religious people. Organized religion rubs me the wrong way. I look for meaningful work not just some BS work. I do like to have adventures. Just a little camping trip to connect to nature. People around you have energies that can affect you.

[danielganciar]

I believe that one day, Elaine Aron will be very known all around the world.

[penelopelambson]

Dr Aaron, your book literally changed my life. I wept when I read it, overwhelmed by relief at discovering why I always felt I was a misfit. Tremendously helpful work.

[christinescheiner]

When you are a highly sensitive person you need to protect yourself.

[pamelawolf]

I’ll be 52 in two weeks, and I’m just now figuring this out for myself!! It’s life changing b/c all my friends and family have just told me to “buck up” 🙄🙄 my whole life. To know that I’m not the problem is a gift in itself.

[ntordel]

This dialog has opened my eyes about sensitive people and how we need to evaluate how we perceive, answer, and treat others...and ourselves.

I am a highly sensitive mother who is misinterpreted by my family members.

I see now that I need to pause, observe, and internally think how to react and respond to me as well as others.

[UnacceptableTee]

This is me!! 😭 Dr.Aaron understands completely. Wow! All me except I was told by others I had patience of a saint with my kiddos. I had no support, no family, married to a socio. Being a mom I took naturally and of the outmost importance and responsibility. I get up in a very abusive home and step dad was alcoholic and abusive. I didn’t trust anyone to watch my kids. I just love them so much and wanted to protect them from anything. I always felt guilty knowing I must be doing some things wrong. I wanted to do the best for them. Of course I made so many mistakes. As far as work, employments goes; she’s so right. I work my tail off; care more about the company than the owners do. Burn out is real. I take my parenting, my relationships; and my job very seriously. People take advantage with someone who is kind; generous; and doesn’t have boundaries. Especially in medical sector. I’m very good working with people; however; I think at my age; and knowing who I am ( HSP) and experienced many big traumas; I feel the best place for me is away from the public; and a worker bee behind the scenes pushing paper. I’m becoming very aware of who I am; setting healthy boundaries which is a tough one for me; but I’m getting there. It takes time. This has moved me tremendously 😢thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻. Please have this incredible Doctor on again! 🙏🏻❤️

[musingfoodie]

Great talk, many thanks 🙏🏻
I prefer the term SPS (Sensory Processing Sensitivity), as the phrase Highly Sensitive Person usually has a negative connotation.
Learning about it has completely changed my life. It’s the most useful tool I’ve learnt about myself. Now I can take care of myself unapologetically. 💗

[amylangford]

I always think of it as my Superpower!
And yes I am very extrovert.
Love your work Dr. Leaf!!! Blessings to you!❤

[sydnyemerrick]

This has really helped me 💕 I watch a lot of self help videos, because I’m basically constantly stressed, but this gives me a breath of relief. So many self help videos have this mentality like ‘you have to keep going and going and never stop’ and those really drain me. This video has given me permission to really nurture myself and my true instincts and ways of life.

[ronels]

I'm so gratefull to dr Aaron, I have been gobbling up all her lectures on YouTube. I 'diagnosed' myself only a few years ago and it finally gave me the confidence to fearlessly and without apology be who I am - a highly sensitive being. Too bad if others don't get me.

[chelseydemerchant]

I can’t thank you enough for this teaching. I really needed this and have learned so much about myself. I knew I was different but never related to this. This is me I am highly sensitive. Thank you again I can’t thank you enough. Changed forever.

[jackheninger]

Interesting discussion. Being a sensitive person and my wife is too, all of this hit home. I came across a book long ago called The Highly Sensitive Person. A real eye opener and a life changer for both of us. Best places I ever worked were 2 and both of them let me learn the job at my own pace and then let me figure out how to make it all work, and get it done on time and correct. Worst places, 2-3 days of computer learning and almost no flexibility, they also had very high employee turnover.

[danielganciar]

What happens to highly sensitive people in the workplace is that even though they may feel smarter and more capable than their coworkers, they feel bad about showing it and potentially harming their friend in some way.

[drewbtodd]

Quite incredible - this is me 200%! Hello fellow HSP's! Great there are so many of us - no one really gets us do they... :-)

[redrosestwo]

People, including fellow Christians, lie about things or tell me only part of what they want to say because they don't want to hurt my feelings. I would rather they be honest and straight forward with me than to tell me lies or half truths. I've been wrapped in a bubble growing up because of me being sensitive.

[Bri-stfg]

This was such a blessing for me today in more ways than I can say.Thank you for all you do to educate us!

[jessicaward]

Thank you so much for this information. I found Dr. Leaf and her resources from a friend. I’m so grateful to be learning about why I do and think the way I do. I have a two year old and I’m excited to read your book Dr Aron. For the first time in my life, I don’t feel like a weirdo.