Rating: 
Summary: Is Over Stimulation A Way of Life for You?
Review: +++++
Answer true or false to these ten statements as they apply to you:
1. I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days to any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation.
2. I am easily overwhelmed by things such as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens close by.
3. I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.
4. I startle easily.
5. I make it a point to avoid violent movies or TV shows.
6. Changes in my life shake me up.
7. When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous and shaky that I do much worse than I would otherwise.
8. I am very conscientious.
9. When I was a child, my parents or teachers seemed to see me as sensitive or shy.
10. I tend to be very sensitive to pain.
If you answered true to five or more of these statements or if any one or two statements are extremely true of you, then this book may be for you.
This easy-to-read, non-technical book (first published in 1996) by Dr. Elaine Aron, deals with the highly sensitive person (of which Aron is one). Such a person is one that has a very sensitive nervous system and thus has a trait of greater receptivity to stimulation that may cause over stimulation. This trait should not be confused with such things as introversion, shyness, inhibition, anxiety, or fear. (Interestingly, there are also extroverted highly sensitive people.)
This book provides basic, detailed information about this trait, data that is difficult to obtain elsewhere. According to the author, "[This book] is the product of five years of research, in-depth interviews, clinical experience, courses, and individual consultations with hundreds of highly sensitive persons."
If you feel that you are a highly sensitive person, this book will help you understand yourself better and show you how to thrive in today's not-so-sensitive world. Also, this book is written for those seeking to understand those that are highly sensitive, such as a friend, relative, employer, or educator.
This book consists of ten chapters:
*Chapter one helps one learn the basic facts about this trait and how it makes one different (not flawed) from others.
*Chapter two helps you understand your trait.
*In the third chapter, you'll learn to appreciate your highly sensitive body's needs.
*In the fourth chapter, you'll learn ways to rethink your past experiences in a positive light and gain greater self-esteem in the process.
*Chapter five gives insight of how high sensitivity affects non-intimate social relationships.
*Chapter six gives insight of how high sensitivity affects work relationships.
*In the seventh chapter, you'll find insight of how high sensitivity affects close intimate relationships.
*The eighth chapter deals with ways to heal the sometimes deep adult psychological wounds caused when one was a highly sensitive child or adolescent.
*Chapter nine gives information on medications and when to seek help. (The author advocates caution if you desire to use medication.)
*In the last chapter, you are introduced to techniques to enrich the soul and spirit.
Near the beginning of this book is a self-test to help you decide if you are highly sensitive. It consists of twenty-three statements (ten selected ones are presented above) of which you answer true or false. (I felt that some of these statements were too general.)
Throughout this book are voluntary activities that the author has found useful for highly sensitive people. As well, there are tips throughout on how to deal with over arousal.
Finally, there are three appendices that consist of tips for health-care providers, teachers, and employers who work with or employ highly sensitive people.
In conclusion, if you are highly sensitive or want to learn about this trait, then this is the groundbreaking book for you!!
+++++
Rating: 
Summary: Highly strung
Review: Apart from being a very spiritual person (VSP), I'm also a highly sensitive person (HSP). I am quickly overwhelmed by noise and confusion, and am easily shocked and offended by the insensitivity of the other 80% of the population. I am easily over-aroused by stimuli, and suffer from a generally high level of anxiety (HLOA). Since life as an HSP is such a challenge, it's a satisfying thing to find a whole franchise of books catering to all the different aspects of being sensitive in an insensitive world (SIAUW). It's very sensitive of the author to be catering to this need among the highly strung.
Rating: 
Summary: yes, interesting
Review: certainly interesting, i did recognise myself, many times. in particular, i was intrigued (and still questioning) about the idea of "persona". the author has a wide view and throws up some very intersting vignettes e.g. the general sense of "disappointment" with other people sometimes. The book partially strengthened by resolve to take some counselling (something I have strongly resisted) and, so far anyhow, it has been v. interesting.if i have one criticism, it is the assumption of Shyness. "Intuitiveness" has an outward - looking function - this creates a certain tension for HSP's, which I know only too well.... one can be friendly, warm, intuitive but not want to be "overwhelmed" with stuff, it is not really the same as the wallflower phenomenon.... but this is hard to explain. i feel the criticism of other reviewers re. HSP as being "special" is not really deserved ... the author I feel does understand "it takes all sorts" and gives credit for everyone's strengths ... she just makes the point (quite reasonably I think) that HSP are often misunderstood and underestimate themselves. For a more indepth approach to many questions raised, I highly recommend Mid-Life Spirituality and Jungian Archetypes by Janice Brewi and Anne Brennan.
Rating:
Summary: Its okay to be highly sensitive!
Review: I always knew I was somewhat sensitive but I wasn't sure if I was considered highly sensitive. The title of the book intrigued me and I went out and bought it. The book starts out with a self quiz to see if you are a highly sensitive person. Turns out I am since I answered true to almost every question. I've always been more sensitive to sudden loud noises, physical pain, and subleties in my environment than average. What I particularly like about this book is that Elaine Aron advocates the fact that highly sensitive people (HSPs) should not to try to become a less sensitive person but rejoice in the special gifts that being highly sensitive brings such as keener intuition, enhanced perceptivity, and the ability to sense danger and trouble sooner than most. Elaine Aron also has some knowledge of the Myers-Briggs system of personality typing and one thing that surprised me is that thinking types are just as likely to be HSP as feeling types. Introversion and intuition seemed to correlate with HSP. I'm an INTP by the way.
Rating:
Summary: yes, interesting
Review: I am a HSP/HSS, finally someone who has an explanation for my Pesonality. I always felt different and knew I wasn't like anyone else but just thought I was Nuts, Depressed, ADD, Anxious etc. Now I completley understand why I am the way I am. Now I can do the things I need to do in order to not become overwhelmed and Anxious. Give myself time alone, don't become too involved with every elses problems, stay away from negative people, take care of my health. Great book to read if you have ever felt these things!
Rating:
Summary: A life-saver for anyone who has ever felt "too senstive".
Review: I am the author of the book, "Coming Home: The Return to True Self", which looks under the surface to the heart of personal and spiritual growth. Now, after reading Dr. Aron's book, I realize that I automatically (and unknowingly) wrote "Coming Home" for an audience of HSPs. Now I recommend "The Highly Sensitive Person" to most of my readers, clients, students, and friends. This book brings us HSPs out of the wings and onto center stage by describing us to ourselves in a way that makes us happy to be recognized. It shows us the micro-view and the macro-view of our lives, kindly presenting our strengths and pitfalls in areas such as: relating to the world, socializing, relationships, work, and spiritual purpose. I have underlined things on almost every page of this book. The stunning array of information is clear, practical, useful, and always supportive. Dr. Aron leaves us HSPs appreciating and understanding ourselves in a way that no one has ever taught us, until now. I can imagine that after reading this book, many overwhelmed, overstressed, and despairing people will realize that, indeed, there is a place in this world for them after all.
Rating:
Summary: No mention of gay people
Review: I found this book useful, containing some interesting concepts, but I couldn't help asking, "How could someone write a book about 'highly sensitive people' and not even mention gay people? Was is oversight, inexperience or exclusion?
Rating:
Summary: REBORN!
Review: I picked this book up at the library yesterday by accident. I was hoping that the book would help me understand my emotionally sensitive neighbor. Well, after opening the book and reading only two pages, I realized that Dr. Aron was describing me. Dr. Aron, in her book, is not describing emotionally sensitive people (although some of you may be as well) but rather she desribes those who have sensitive nervous systems. I have always misinterperated my blushing, heart racing, and foggy mind to a mysterious fear, or neurosis, even though I didn't really feal afraid. Now I know that being in an arousal state is not the same as being afraid or shy. I read the book in three hours and have cried tears of joy ever since (and I am not a very emotional person!). Throughout my life, I have felt so oddly out of place and only have one friend that I would say really knows me. After reading this book I cry just knowing that it's not my fault, that I am not a weak person, that I am valuable just as I am. After a lifetime of avoiding people, avoiding driving, and always needing time alone to "think" I am renewed and literally reborn!
Rating:
Summary: a pep talk for the quiet and introverted
Review: I read this book a couple years ago. I am generally not into pop psychology, self-help books, etc...So it was unusual that I picked up this book at all. But the description of the book sounded so much like me that I had to read it.
While I don't agree with some of the advice in the book...What I liked best about this book was simply that it was a positive pep talk for people who have HSP traits. There are good and beneficial things about our traits! I have gone through life feeling ostrasized by others because I am quiet natured and introverted. "You're too quiet." "You're too serious." "You're anti-social." ...On and on it goes.
People on the opposite side of the spectrum (light-hearted, talkative people...) are not criticized like this - I am not saying they are never criticized, but not nearly as much as we are. Our Western culture simply does not value our traits.
If nothing else, this book was simply an encouragement to me. I am not alone, others have traits like me, and although there are downfalls (which we can learn to deal with)- there are many positive aspects to being a quiet and introspective person.
I think HSP has some similarities to the the melancholy temperament type. The ancient Greeks identified 4 basic temperament types. (For an interesting book on the temperament types, read "Why You Act the Way You Do" by Tim Lahaye. It is from a Christian perspective just so you are aware. And it's not a "scholarly" book either, but just an "easy-reading" book about temperament types.)
Rating:
Summary: Helped me understand and accept myself
Review: I'm not a huge fan of self-help books, but something told me to read this one. I'm glad I did. It really helped me to understand things about myself that I'd struggled with for years. Before, I didn't understand why I'd freak out in crowds, why I'd often find myself retreating to stairwells or restrooms for solitude at work or school, or why large social gatherings often exhausted me when other people seemed energized by them. This book explains that highly sensitive people (HSPs) are simply a significant segment of the population born with a sensitive nervous system, and as a result are easily overstimulated and overwhelmed. It covers the pros and cons of being an HSP, and helps HSPs understand, accept and embrace who they are. If you suspect you are an HSP (or are married to or are the parent of one), I'd highly recommend this book.
|
