This was the first book I read about Highly Sensitive People so it felt natural to start with this one as the first book recommendation!
It's how I actually discover the concept of HSP itself...
Simply put, being an HSP is a character trait, a personality trait, in which you experience life three times more intensely than someone who is not HSP. Dr. Elaine N. Aron, was the first one to introduce the concept, in her book The Highly Sensitive Person, published in 1996.
She was the first to hypothesise that a part of the population would have a personality with a higher sensitivity than the others.
The Highly Sensitive Person, the book :
In "The Highly Sensitive Person", Elaine N. Aron explores the intricacies of high sensitivity, presenting a comprehensive understanding of this personality trait. Drawing on her expertise as a psychologist, E.Aron delves into the characteristics of HSPs, highlighting our deep processing of information, susceptibility to overstimulation, and heightened emotional responses. The book aims to destigmatize sensitivity by emphasizing that it is a natural and valid trait rather than a flaw.
The author provides practical insights into how HSPs can navigate their daily lives, offering guidance on managing overstimulation and societal expectations. While promoting self-acceptance, the book also encourages a broader societal understanding of the strengths associated with high sensitivity, fostering empathy, creativity, and deep connection.
My experience of it :
If "The Highly Sensitive Person" is considered as one of the HSPs' Bible, my opinion on it is a bit more of a split one. As someone who identifies as an extroverted HSP, I fall into a smaller category of HSPs that Elaine Aron mentions briefly but doesn't delve into as deeply.
She provides valuable insights that can be incredibly helpful for many of us, as she emphasizes the natural and valid nature of our trait, which can definitely feel like a relief. (Whew, nothing's wrong with us...)
However, as an extroverted HSP, I found that some aspects of the book didn't quite align with my personal experiences. While it excels in addressing challenges related to sensitivity, there were moments when the content seemed more (or only) tailored to introverted HSPs. The emphasis on solitude and quiet environments, though beneficial for many, might not resonate as strongly with those who thrive on social interactions and external stimulation. I personally find myself as energised than drained by group interactions...
Yet, this book is definitely one of those that opened my world to more understanding, but also that made me feel like it wasn't quite right yet. I wasn't fully fitting in yet.
Despite this, I would definitely recommend the read to anyone questioning their sensitivity. It's a really good book for your journey into self-love and self-acceptance around high sensitivity, hyper sensitivity and hyper empathy.
And if you want to go further, here is the questionnaire to find out about your HSP trait : https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
If your test reveals your HSP trait and you don't know what to do with it, you might want to check this blog post too =) :
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