Are you a highly sensitive individual? If so, what does it means in terms of your health and diet

Instructions: Answer each question according to the way you feel. Check the box if it is at least somewhat true for you; leave it unchecked if it is not very accurate or not at all true for you.

• I am easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input.
• I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.
• Other people’s moods affect me.
• I tend to be very sensitive to pain.
• I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days, into bed, or into a darkened room or any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation.
• I am particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
• I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics or sirens close by
• I have a rich, complex inner life.
• I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.
• I am deeply moved by the arts or music.
• My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled that I just have to go off by myself
• I am conscientious.
• I startle easily.
• I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.
• When people are uncomfortable in a physical environment, I tend to know what needs to be done to make it more comfortable (like changing the lighting or the seating).
• I am annoyed when people try to get me to do too many things at once.
• I try hard to avoid making mistakes or forgetting things.
• I make a point to avoid violent movies and TV shows.
• I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is going on around me.
• Being very hungry creates a strong reaction in me, disrupting my concentration or mood.
• Changes in my life shake me up.
• I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, works of art.
• I find it unpleasant to have a lot going on at once.
• I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.
• I am bothered by intense stimuli, like loud noises or chaotic scenes.
• When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous or shaky that I do much worse than I would otherwise.
• When I was a child, my parents or teachers seemed to see me as sensitive or shy.

Copyright, Elaine N. Aron, 1996

Scoring:

If you answered more than fourteen of the questions as true of yourself, you are probably highly sensitive.

If fewer questions are true of you but extremely true, that might also justify calling you a highly sensitive individual. Just keep in mind, though, no psychological test is accurate enough for an individual to base their life on it.

What does it mean if you scored high as a highly sensitive individual?

If you are a highly sensitive individual, then you might be able to concentrate and focus well. Highly sensitive individuals process information deeply. For this reason, you learn languages better. Highly sensitive individuals also tend to have high levels of empathy.

Health tips for a highly sensitive individual: 

• Take time to wind down after a busy day, as you may get easily overwhelmed due to your extra-sensitive nervous system. Find yourself a quiet space to retreat to
• A good night’s sleep is extra important for highly sensitive individuals as it allows you to process your emotions.
• Hunger deeply affects a highly sensitive individual’s concentration. Healthy meals, spaced regularly throughout the day, are a must. It is also best to avoid alcohol and caffeine as they further stimulate the nervous system.

Your practitioner needs to consider who you are and your personality when trying to make lifestyle changes. To identify specific naturopathic treatments that can support you based on your particular needs, please call (416) 684-5514 or click here to book an appointment.

References:

Paraphrasing Aron re what SPS is not: From ‘ The Power of (Shyness)’ and High Sensitivity…” (2012): (re introversion) 30% of HSPs are social extroverts.