Special characteristics of highly sensitive people
10 strengths of high sensitivity. Average sensitive people lick their fingers after these special characteristics of highly sensitive persons (HSP)!
The deep processing of information (1 of 4)
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According to the research of Elaine Aron, the developer of the highly sensitive person model, there are four basic characteristics. These form the basis of high sensitivity.
This post deals with the first aspect, the deep processing of information. HSPs are particularly talented in this area.
The four basic characteristics of high sensitivity
1. The deep processing of information
2. Easier overstimulation of the nervous system
3. A strong emotional world
4. Highly receptive also to subtle stimuli
Highly sensitive people process information on a deeper, more interconnected level than average sensitive people. They are hormonally “always ready for mental deployment.”
Are highly sensitive people slow thinkers?
Through their networked thinking, they incorporate many factors into their considerations. They are often said to be rather slow thinkers, but in my observation, that does not do them justice.
Highly sensitive people think on multiple levels simultaneously. They connect these and then weigh them. This means they consider many factors at once. The conclusion is therefore more comprehensively examined. HSP (Highly Sensitive Persons) do not think slower, but rather incorporate more factors into their considerations. And that naturally takes more time.
This can be observed very strikingly when I ask a participant directly for their opinion in my seminars or ask someone to start directly in the introduction round; they almost fall off their chairs.
What factors are included in information processing?
Now for the 10 strengths that distinguish highly sensitive people.
1. Strength of high sensitivity – the ability to reflect
HSPs are very reflective. This means that, on the one hand, they incorporate past experiences into their considerations and, on the other hand, self-reflection is usually a part of their thoughts. This can already be observed very early in highly sensitive children.
2. Strength of high sensitivity – ecological awareness
Furthermore, they think ecologically, meaning they consider not only the short-term effects, but also the medium-term and long-term consequences of their actions or a decision. This is very useful for them in project planning, as this ability ensures sustainable results.
3. Strength of high sensitivity – strong value orientation
Highly sensitive people are usually extremely value-oriented. Ethically and socially correct behavior is very important to them. For example, in my seminars on high sensitivity, the proportion of vegans and vegetarians is on average quite a bit higher than in other seminars.
HSPS treat others the way they want to be treated. And this factor is also factored into their considerations. As a result, they are often the team members who call out social injustices or express ethical concerns.
It becomes very difficult for highly sensitive people when they have to act against their values. Professionally, this can even lead to burnout, because they are not only acting against their convictions, but at the same time against themselves. They then find themselves in a constant internal and external struggle, which consumes an incredible amount of energy.
4. Strength of high sensitivity – resource orientation
Another factor that flows into the information processing of highly sensitive people is a resource orientation. This includes both material resources and consideration for their own energy levels.
Besides processing information more deeply, they also tend to have a nervous system that is easily stimulated. Therefore, they also keep an eye on their energy reserves. They consider how much time and energy expenditure they need without overexerting themselves too much, and what steps they need to take to actually complete their project in the targeted time. This is one of the factors why they greatly appreciate a structured approach. At the same time, this satisfies their need for reliable action, as they rarely overestimate their capabilities. They go into bodily resonance and sense what is possible and how.
5. Strength of high sensitivity – forward-looking on all levels
One of the evolutionary tasks of highly sensitive people is to recognize dangers. Therefore, they think very ahead and usually keep the worst case in mind as well. Which is why they are sometimes perceived as pessimists. This does not do them justice either, since they also keep the positive effects just as much in mind. It is important to them to consider all eventualities. The question "what if" is their constant companion, which at the same time shows them many possible courses of action.
6. Strength of high sensitivity – Emotional intensity
Due to the intensive perception of their emotional world, their thinking is also always strongly accompanied by feelings. They tend to think in a right-hemispheric way. A purely analytical approach is rather foreign to them. Their considerations are therefore rarely about pure facts, their thinking is mostly accompanied by feelings. Although they think a lot, they are not "head-first" people.
7. Strength of high sensitivity – Empathy
Due to their strong empathy, HSPs usually also check what their counterpart might have meant between the lines in spoken or written statements. The challenge here is not to think for the other person and to always check the assumptions. HSPs are often right with their assumptions, but just not always.
8. Strength of High Sensitivity – Scanning for Errors
HSPs have almost a sixth sense for flaws in the system. During project work, they recognize weak points very quickly and are irritated that average sensitives find this so difficult, because in their perception it is so obvious.
9. Strength of High Sensitivity – Creativity
Due to their interconnected thinking, highly sensitive people are usually very creative and can quickly find good solutions. Solutions that are sometimes unusual, as they can also recognize and take into account non-obvious connections. Another aspect of their evolutionary task.
10. Strength of High Sensitivity – Overview and Focus
Another advantage resulting from this type of information processing is the ability to both keep the big picture in mind and simultaneously focus on the essence. Thus, it can happen that long debates take place in staff meetings, and the highly sensitive person then sums everything up briefly and concisely.
Highly sensitive people are often underestimated
Especially with introverted HSPs, all these thought processes often run silently in the background. When they are then asked for their opinion, average sensitive people are surprised at how detailed and well-thought-out the answers are.
For me, the ability to deeply process information in particular is a special strength of high sensitivity and therefore a huge gift.
When thinking becomes a curse
However, there are some HSPs who see precisely the depth of their processing capacity as a curse.
- Emotions overwhelm them, leaving them unable to think clearly.
- They are so focused on danger that they are always on "high alert." Strong fears develop, which can even result in panic attacks.
- Thoughts race, are ruminated over and over again, and lead to no conclusion.
- Decisions are very difficult to make because the final assessment of bodily resonance does not take place.
- They cannot relax or sleep restfully because their brain is racing the whole time.
However, the origin of this does not lie in high sensitivity; rather, it is an indication of far too much stress, a lack of self-regulation ability, and/or a disruption in the attachment or stress system. You can learn how to remedy this in my seminars.
