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The Highly Sensitive Person

A fresh approach to those times when you doubt your own worth

Meditation
More Thoughts on the Wound with No Name—First Aid

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on August 26, 2015

There are rarely any quick fixes when the wounds are deep, especially from early childhood and/or in combination with being highly sensitive. But what might help, right now?

There are rarely any quick fixes when the wounds are deep, especially from early childhood and/or in combination with being highly sensitive. But what might help, right now?

Anxiety
4 Allies and Too Anxious Beat 1 Shade of Gray

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on April 2, 2015

After being bullied all his life by anxiety and depression, one man found a new way to relate to them. This freed up energy and changed his life.

After being bullied all his life by anxiety and depression, one man found a new way to relate to them. This freed up energy and changed his life.

Relationships
36 Questions for Intimacy, Back Story

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on January 14, 2015

This post is the real story behind research I was involved in that has led to a "method of falling in love" that has gone viral in the last few days, after The New York Times published an engaging article about it by Mandy Len Catron in their Style section on Sunday January 11 as well as Dan Jones' supplement with the questions themselves.

This post is the real story behind research I was involved in that has led to a "method of falling in love" that has gone viral in the last few days, after The New York Times published an engaging article about it by Mandy Len Catron in their Style section on Sunday January 11 as well as Dan Jones' supplement with the questions themselves.

Meditation
Meditation Part II

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on August 2, 2012

Behind every method of meditation there's an opinion about how to become enlightened. If enlightenment could improve the human race, or you, it's worth considering.

Behind every method of meditation there's an opinion about how to become enlightened. If enlightenment could improve the human race, or you, it's worth considering.

Meditation
Meditation Part I

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on August 1, 2012

Feeling stressed? Highly sensitive? Meditation's a fine idea. But there are many different practices with quite different effects. Investigate before you close your eyes.

Feeling stressed? Highly sensitive? Meditation's a fine idea. But there are many different practices with quite different effects. Investigate before you close your eyes.

Fireworks and hearty congratulations to HSPs
Introversion
Time Magazine: "The Power of (Shyness)" and High Sensitivity

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on February 2, 2012

No, we are not necessarily shy and not always introverted, but the book which prompted the article, Susan Cain's "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking," is actually more about HSPs than social introverts, so we're getting there. Perhaps in a year or two the highly sensitive person will be Time's person of the year!

No, we are not necessarily shy and not always introverted, but the book which prompted the article, Susan Cain's "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking," is actually more about HSPs than social introverts, so we're getting there. Perhaps in a year or two the highly sensitive person will be Time's person of the year!

Depression
Depression During the Holidays

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on December 19, 2011

The shadow side of this period of light and hope is darkness and despair, and many people fall into darkness at this time of year. They feel left out.

The shadow side of this period of light and hope is darkness and despair, and many people fall into darkness at this time of year. They feel left out.

Education
Three Risk-Free, High-Yield Investments

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on October 25, 2011

In these uncertain times everyone wants a safe place to invest their time and energy--and money if they have any. Ideally an investment is not only safe, but grows in value, as when you invest in your own education or in a growing company.

In these uncertain times everyone wants a safe place to invest their time and energy--and money if they have any. Ideally an investment is not only safe, but grows in value, as when you invest in your own education or in a growing company.

Trauma
Watch Out for Those Touchy, Treacherous, Hurting Complexes

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on February 22, 2011

Among the depth-psychology tools we need for living life, understanding complexes is your handy screwdriver. It opens up many things and closes some as well.  We all have complexes.  They are the "building blocks of the personality," as Jung called them.

Among the depth-psychology tools we need for living life, understanding complexes is your handy screwdriver. It opens up many things and closes some as well.  We all have complexes.  They are the "building blocks of the personality," as Jung called them.

Wisdom
Consulting with Your Wisest Self

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on January 28, 2011

The undervalued version of yourself is only one of many "self states."   By a self state, I mean the way we think and feel in a particular situation or role.  You are still you, but you may also feel almost like a different person whether you are with your parents, best friend, supervisor at work, etc.

The undervalued version of yourself is only one of many "self states."   By a self state, I mean the way we think and feel in a particular situation or role.  You are still you, but you may also feel almost like a different person whether you are with your parents, best friend, supervisor at work, etc.

Trauma
Remember the Soul?

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on April 14, 2010

Today good therapy is said to be brief, focused on a diagnosis, and manualized for standardization. There is more than a hint that it is unethical to look any deeper.  However, that is all changing.

Today good therapy is said to be brief, focused on a diagnosis, and manualized for standardization. There is more than a hint that it is unethical to look any deeper.  However, that is all changing.

Self-Esteem
Ranking and Linking, For Better and For Worse

Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on January 9, 2010

 Self-affirmations do not help when we are hit with low self-esteem because this universal problem results from our natural response to defeat, part of our broader instinct to rank ourselves among others. The first step is to better recognize ranking and linking behaviors, the two things we do all day but hardly think about.

 Self-affirmations do not help when we are hit with low self-esteem because this universal problem results from our natural response to defeat, part of our broader instinct to rank ourselves among others. The first step is to better recognize ranking and linking behaviors, the two things we do all day but hardly think about.