I had always knew I was a sensitive person. I had a lot of Counselling myself in 2002 to 2003 a few years before becoming a therapist. It was only in my therapist training from 2005 I became aware of the concept of actually being ‘a highly sensitive person’ as an actual thing. Elaine Arons’ book ‘The highly sensitive person’ (https://www.bookdepository.com/Highly-Sensitive-Person-Elaine-N-Aron/9780553062182?a_aid=philwalker) was really resonating and I’d imagine for many people is a profound read.

The book goes into how sensitivity is as we know typically seen as some sort of defect. The idea of being too sensitive etc. However it becomes clearer through Arons’ work that sensitivity is a trait which just is. 30 % of the population are said to have a more highly sensitive nervous system. This is neither a good or a bad thing. It’s just a thing.

The book is really helpful for seeing what this all means and noticing our archilles heal of over arousal and learning to manage this. Sensitive people prefer quieter spaces, calmer environments. They are more prone to feeling frazzled. With this though they are more attentive to subtle changes and pick up on things those who are less sensitive would not.

This book really helps to instill a good sense of meaning in the life of the highly sensitive person and to realise that there isn’t anything wrong with them. It’s really great to be able to identify with other people who are clearly highly sensitive e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Carl Jung (one of my main heroes).

Many people who come to Counselling are highly sensitive I have found which makes sense due to the rejection from the world they are more likely to have experienced. Highly sensitive people also naturally feel things more deeply.
Knowing you are a highly sensitive person allows a greater management of your life and also a sense of pride in knowing you are not defective you are just you with your flaws and your own sense of purpose you can create.

The book also has a good section where it speaks about standing up for your sensitivity. Being able to talk about there not being anything wrong with you but just that you are sensitive and there are certain things you may prefer to the less sensitive person and also how you offer certain good things to the world through this trait.