The term highly sensitive person, or HSP, was coined by psychologist Elaine Aron in the 1990s to describe a personality trait called sensory processing sensitivity, found in roughly 15 to 20% of people and also documented across more than 100 other species.

Aron summarized the trait with the acronym DOES: Depth of processing information, being easily Overstimulated, high Emotional responsiveness and empathy, and Sensitivity to subtle environmental details others miss.

A Trait, Not a Disorder

Why It Gets Confused With Introversion

High sensitivity overlaps with introversion for many people, but roughly 30% of HSPs identify as extroverts, so the trait is really about depth of nervous-system processing rather than a preference for solitude versus socializing.

Because HSPs pick up on more sensory and emotional information at once, environments with strong lighting, noise, or emotional tension can feel disproportionately draining, even when the same setting barely registers for someone without the trait.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — overview of sensory processing sensitivity research
  2. The Highly Sensitive Person (Dr. Elaine Aron) — the original researcher's resource on the trait
  3. Psychology Today — explainer on highly sensitive person traits

FAQ

Is being a highly sensitive person a medical diagnosis?

No, it is described as a normal personality trait rather than a disorder, though it can coexist with anxiety or other conditions in some people.

Can high sensitivity be a strength?

Yes — the same depth of processing linked to overstimulation is also linked to strong empathy, creativity, and conscientiousness in many studies.

Is there a test for high sensitivity?

Elaine Aron's self-report questionnaire, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale, is the most widely used screening tool, though it is not a formal clinical diagnosis.

About the Author

We reference Wikipedia, The Highly Sensitive Person (Dr. Elaine Aron), and Psychology Today to explain the background and current understanding of this topic.

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