Your emotional sensitivity can be determined by taking the Highly Sensitive Person Test. Are you one of the 20% HSPs with deeper processing brains in the world? Find out now
Who are Highly Sensitive Individuals?
A highly sensitive person can pick up on levels of stimulus that others would not pick up on. Their brain is quickly stimulated and responds to stimuli differently. They experience more powerful emotions as a result, and they are more sensitive than non-HSPs.
HSP mentor and Entreprincess founder Elena Herdieckerhoff provides the following definition of the phenomena. “All of your emotions are heightened in your inner world. Joy is pure delight, while sadness is absolute misery. You also have limitless compassion and empathy.
Not being an empath is not the same as having this trait. If so, do make sure to take the Empath Test in its place.
The Highly Sensitive Person Test: What Is It?
Clinical and research psychologist Elaine N. Aron, Ph.D., was the person who first developed the HSP test. It is a True or False questionaire with 23 to 25 questions. Anyone who completes the quiz with more than twelve true answers is likely a Highly Sensitive Person.
She first described the exam in her book from 1997. However, you may now find more contemporary substitute quizzes online, such as the one on this website.
The objective is to determine whether or not your brain processes stimuli more deeply than the average person’s brain.
An HSP Quiz Based on Dr. Elaine Aron’s Work
The term “HSP” was created by Dr. Elaine to describe a preference for in-depth information processing. She explains the overall concept in this way in an interview from 2010. Unlike other people, “a Highly Sensitive Person takes in stimuli and somehow uses it in a more complete way.”
Her research is being used to develop the test you are about to take, which will accurately quantify your sensitivity.
Inspired by the Original 23 Questions
Twenty-three questions made up the original test from 1997. However, the HSPerson website’s current version of it offers more. However, we used the conventional format for developing the Highly Sensitive Person Self-Test. But bear in mind that the question on QuizExpo is a multiple-choice one, not a True-or-False one.
100% Accurate and Detailed Results
Most online HSP tests ask you a yes or no question. Our test, however, looks into all other scenarios, such being an empath, having PTSD, or even having anxiety or despair.
“When someone has a generalized anxiety condition or severe depression, oftentimes it can create these linked features of sensitivity,” says Dr. Judy Ho, a neurologist who has earned triple board certification. And the reason for that is that you consider how others perceive you more than the ordinary person does.
Therefore, it’s crucial to make a distinction between each of these scenarios when determining who is hypersensitive and who is not. (Our test gives you that result for you.)
Symptoms of a Highly Sensitive Person
Dr. Elaine describes the fundamental characteristics of being an HSP using the acronym “DOES.” Here is what each one means and how it contributes to the phenomenon’s diagnosable symptoms.
- D Denotes Deep Processing
People who are overly sensitive could overthink the information they are given. They can need more than 15 minutes to peruse the entire menu of a restaurant before choosing a course.
- O denotes excessive stimulation.
An HSP is easily overwhelmed by their environment. Their sensory system responds to stimuli excessively. So it becomes difficult to avoid being impacted by common sounds, odors, etc.
- E Stands for Empathy
A Highly Sensitive Person can feel the emotions of others more readily. Of course, that does not imply that they are necessarily empaths. They tend to be more sympathetic toward others than the ordinary individual, though.
- Subtlety stands for S
In her TED Talk, Elena Herdieckerhoff notes that “HSPs are like highly tuned sensors.” They are able to nitpick the smallest details.
HSP Physical Differences
Dr. Elaine describes how a hypersensitive person’s physique can be unique from others in her book from 1997. She identifies six physical variations:
The condition is not clinical.
It’s important to highlight that the Highly Sensitive Person Test is not based on the DSM-5 or any other set of rules for making a medical diagnosis. Because it is not a clinical condition, that is the case. HSP is more of a hypothesis that certain psychologists have developed and proposed.
Despite the fact that numerous research support the theory, it is not covered in the DSM-5 book. (And it most likely won’t ever.)
Dispelling Myths About the Highly Sensitive Person Test
There are several misunderstandings and misconceptions around the HSP idea. Therefore, we want you to be aware of the following information before taking the test.
- It is NOT a female phenomenon.
According to studies, men make up almost 50% of HSPs. A prejudiced idea is hypersensitivity. And many think it’s a characteristic of women. Men who are honest about their emotions are referred to as belonging to the “snowflake generation.” However, the reality is that gender has little to do with sensitivity levels.
- This is NOT a flashy introvert test.
The most current research indicates that approximately 30% of highly sensitive people are extroverted. However, many people incorrectly assert that HSP is a type of psychiatric term for introversion. To determine whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, take our test.
- An empath test and this are NOT the same thing.
Your sensory processes and degree of sensitivity are the main topics of the HSP questionnaire. In contrast, an empath test examines how you respond to or perceive the emotions of others.
Advice from Dr. Elaine for HSPs
In one of her videos, the person who came up with the idea of hypersensitivity offers some coping mechanisms. You must understand that being overstimulated necessitates extra relaxation and rest, advises Dr. Elaine.
She advises all HSP to take the following steps to make life simpler for themselves.
Get enough sleep and rest.
You must spend at least eight hours in bed. It doesn’t matter if you spend the entire time sleeping or just relaxing. But be careful to maintain a minor brain function during the resting process.
Refresh your mind daily.
At least two hours every day should be spent doing something undemanding and soothing. Dr. Elaine recommends going on a stroll, practicing yoga, and engaging in meditation. But the goal is to relax and help your mind wander.
Take frequent and short vacations.
Make your downtime more frequent and brief rather than taking a long trip every year. You can deal with your mental weariness and overactive thinking in this way.
If you are an HSP, don’t try to toughen yourself.
“Comparing telling an HSP they are too sensitive to telling someone with blue eyes that their eyes are too blue is like comparing apples to oranges. No matter how many times you tell them, they’ll probably still be looking back at you with the same blue eyes. Elena Herdieckerhoff expressed her sentiment regarding the need for HSPs to become more resilient.
The phenomena we’re discussing is neither a decision nor a mental condition. It is a natural and inherited trait. Therefore, you do not have to force change on yourself just because society expects it.
Disclaimer: Test
None of the individuals or groups listed in The Highly Sensitive Person Test are connected to QuizExpo.
For more personality quizzes check this: What Is My Lucky Number.
