05.27.2022 - By Andy Mort
When I first saw the term, "Sensory Processing Sensitivity" I looked straight past it.
It was around 2011 when I had recently started reading about introversion. While hanging out in the personality rabbit hole I kept seeing the question, "Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?"
Every time I read it I repeated a gentle but firm, "no" to myself. But it wouldn't leave me alone. So eventually I gave in and clicked on one of the links.
* Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
* Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
* When you were a child, did your parents or teachers see you as sensitive or shy?
* Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?
* Do you have a rich and complex inner life?
Oh. Hang on.
I dug deeper. I read The Highly Sensitive Person by Dr Elaine Aron. And it turned out I probably WAS one of those highly sensitive people after all.
Part of 15-20% of the population with an innate trait (Sensory Processing Sensitivity) that "reflects a certain type of survival strategy, being observant before acting".
It was a game-changer for me. A liberating moment.
And so began a journey of reframing the past, re-writing the present, and re-imagining the future.
I still didn't fully connect with the "highly sensitive person" label. It didn't fit properly. But I knew it held something life-changing within.
And I share my journey of discovery with you in this week's podcast.
Episode contents* What Is Sensory Processing Sensitivity? | 3.59* Depth of Processing* Overstimulation* Empathy* Emotional Reactivity* Sensory Acuity/Subtleties* What Sensory Processing Sensitivity is NOT | 7.47* Can We Come Up With a Better Name For High Sensitivity? | 10.15* Reframing The Story Of Sensitivity | 22.08* Overwhelmed By Bright Lights, Strong Smells, and Sudden Noises | 23.55* Described as Shy or Sensitive By Teachers and Parents | 29.30* Startled By Sudden Noises | 34.03* Noticing Life's Finer Scents | 38.10* Performining Tasks Worse Under Observation | 41.17* It's Unpleasant to Have a Lot of Things Going on at Once | 49.29* Needing to Withdraw From Overstimulation and Busyness | 50.43* Other Peoples' Moods Affect You | 62.41* Conclusions | 68.39* Individuation and Deep Sensitivity | 59.