Review of the "Highly Sensitive Person" written by Scarlett Davanzo
Oct 23, 2023
Highly sensitive person, or HSP for short, is often used by psychologists to identify individuals who connect deeply with everything in the world around them. These deep connections occur in daily life, from social situations to physical sensations and may often get an HSP labeled as “shy” or “overly sensitive”.
A highly sensitive person may find themselves avoiding things that they find distressing, like violent movies or true crime podcasts. They may also find themselves drawn to small intimate gatherings, maintaining close emotional relationships, and seeing the deeper beauty and meaning in everyday life. Highly sensitive people may even find themselves feeling hesitant to do outdoor activities when it is unusually hot or cold out, due to the extreme discomfort it may cause them. An HSP is often attentive to the world around them, noticing small changes in others' mannerisms and behaviors. Being a highly sensitive person is not a mental disorder, but rather a personality trait. This trait, just like any other, comes with its own sets of strengths and weaknesses and self discovery may be helpful to determine these.
After reading the above statements, do you feel that you may fit the description of an HSP? Or does it feel like someone close to you may fit the description? If so, you may find interest in reading “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You”. In this book Dr. Elaine N. Aron, who identifies as an HSP herself, writes about her research and experiences working with the HSP population. Through personal and patient experiences Dr. Aron highlights the misconceptions about highly sensitive people. Beyond that, she explains the various positives and negatives of being highly sensitive and how to highlight those positives. Her goal is to help readers live a thoughtful and meaningful life that is not filled with overstimulation or shame about their traits.
Some topics addressed throughout the book include reframing childhood and adolescence, understanding your sensitivity, loving and learning from your inner child, loving others as an HSP, and understanding the potential roles of medication in the life of a highly sensitive person. Check out your local library or get a copy of “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You” at the link above.
Books can be an excellent resource in understanding ourselves and our outlooks on life!
