There’s a lot of talk these days about falling somewhere on the spectrum. It has almost become a part of the basic composition
language, with a growing awareness of what it means to have autism or Asperger’s traits. But what is still completely misunderstood and still not widely recognized is another spectrum that overlaps in different but overlapping ways.
Living with high sensitivity
Being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) or empath is very difficult for others to understand because of people’s limited perspective, openness, and acceptance of the existence of these states. It is also a spectrum with some similarities to what people have recognized as traits found in people on the autism spectrum.
Highly sensitive people share many of these similarities, feeling attuned to sounds, smells, sounds, and bright lights, and share this heightened sense of sensory attunement. Dr. Elaine Aron in her book, A very sensitive persondescribes this as a “difference in arousal”.
He explains that HSPs “observe a level of stimulation that others don’t” and “reflect more on everything” and are even more sensitive to “physical sensations like pain.”
There are many children who are mislabeled as being on the autism spectrum due to exhibiting these traits and symptoms.
the higher inner world. Anxiety is common for both those on the sensitive spectrum and autism because now more than ever there is so much going on around us to integrate and process, coming in so fast and so fast that things are getting faster and faster for us.
technologically advanced world. It is necessary to know the right way to support people, to learn the difference between them
presentations of those on the autism spectrum and HSP, as well as to identify any co-occurring anxiety at play.
In order to distinguish between these two spectrums, an extremely useful factor is a person’s ability to emotionally connect with others. HSPs are mostly emotionally attuned, while those on the autism spectrum have great difficulty interpreting the emotions of others – this is one of the defining characteristics. Children with autism also tend to be more focused, introverted and absorbed in their passions and interests, and less able to recognize social subtleties and nuances.
HSPs are often aware of and articulate with their emotional world and enjoy deep and meaningful connections with others.
sharing However, like those on the autism spectrum, they may become distressed in certain places, with certain people, or in specific stressful situations. This is especially so when there is an element of sensory overload at play – for example, in an environment with loud noises, bright lights, multiple stimulating activities at once – or with certain people who are loud, fast talking or overly withdrawn.
The best way for people on both spectrums to improve their life experience is to work with these sensitivities, not against them.
unlike anxiety, for example, where part of the decision is to face the situation. When we are anxious, the anxiety component of anticipation can be high, and so facing the things that cause us anxiety is usually done gently and safely.
With sensory sensitivities, it’s like the vocal numbers keep rising throughout one’s life experience. This requires that a
a gentler approach to managing long-term triggers, working with them and adapting to them, rather than pushing the person to both
spectrum to the point of flooding and excess, which then only leads to anxiety.
An unpleasant factor is the effect of anxiety on any spectrum of sensitivity. When we feel more anxious, regardless of the cause, it can make our sensitivity even higher. Therefore, it is also important to address any underlying anxiety that may be affecting the individual
the ability to enjoy various aspects of human life.
Deep emotional compatibility
Further along the highly sensitive spectrum are those known as empaths. Empaths have an innate ability to detect and feel the emotions and nuances of those around them, as well as a deeper understanding of different energies, places, environments, and what
widely spread in the collective consciousness. Dr. Judith Orloff, author of The Empath’s Survival Guide, describes empathy as
“an extremely reactive neurological system”. He says that “we don’t have the same filters that other people do to avoid stimulation.
As a result, we absorb both the positive energy and stress around us into our bodies.”
This is similar to the effects of anxiety on HSPs, but when empaths are hurt or distressed, their input can be clouded by the hyper-vigilance that occurs as a self-defense mechanism. Here again is the importance of addressing any contributing factors that may be unhelpful and negatively impacting their intuitive and subtle awareness. When this happens, the emotional feelings are the same
under chronic fear, they may tend to be more sensitive to relationships, to be alert to the emotional state of those around them.
However, as most deeply and spiritually connected beings are, the more empaths they can connect with their true nature and higher wisdom from within, the more they can cultivate the inner power to establish energetic boundaries with the outer world – people, places and collective contributions.
For those who may not relate to the traits that make up both spectrums, it is difficult to understand. As humans, it is often difficult to imagine how it feels to someone else when we have not experienced something ourselves. However, one of the gifts of being an empath is the innate ability to step into other people’s shoes. This means that empaths are often the most caring and loving
partners, healers and friends because they allow others to truly feel heard and to listen with their whole being.
Keep an open mind
For those who struggle to understand these traits and don’t experience the world this way, it’s important to keep an open mind to imagine a world outside of yourself for a moment.
For example, when it comes to sensory effects, imagine someone in the office talking loudly to you while you work, loud music coming from two different directions, an ambulance driving by, and the phone ringing at the same time. This is a simple example and imagine what it’s like to live with a sensory sensitivity on the autism spectrum or HSP. For empaths, in addition to multiple sensory inputs, emotions and energy are additional sensations that arise in their field of awareness. Just like hearing the music of a song or a light in your eyes, empaths experience energy and emotion in the same way.
Like the effects of anxiety, these traits can change at different times, increasing due to daily stressors, fatigue, or group events, and decreasing when feeling calm, safe, and peaceful.
So, as a society that increasingly prides itself on accepting and accepting differences, we need to expand our limited perspectives to allow for an even broader understanding of diversity beyond our own experience and what is considered the “norm.” We have already come this far, but there is room to grow and evolve, to expand our limited perspectives, to open our minds and hearts to the world of others.
We must also teach our children how to accept and understand who they are, to welcome all of our differences as human beings, and
make them really flourish.
How to support someone in spectrum grounding practices:
• Exercise such as yoga, tai chi, swimming laps or snorkelling.
• Breathing awareness with an emphasis on lengthening the breath to activate the parasympathetic relaxation and digestion part of our nervous system.
• Spending time in nature to connect with the healing properties of the natural world can help us connect with ourselves, the earth, and the world.
the interconnectedness of all beings.
Sensitive input management:
• Avoid/reduce time spent in shopping malls or in places that are noisy or crowded due to excessive lighting.
brightness
• Limits on the time we spend with people, which can drain us energetically. Explaining our sensitivity can also be helpful in reducing others’ acceptance of this person.
Create borders:
• Express your needs without feeling guilty. As highly sensitive people, we may feel guilty for making others uncomfortable
basic expectations. This can be related to the time spent with family and friends or the way we choose to work. But that’s just our bet on the game. There is nothing wrong with having different needs from those we love or others around us. We are all equal and have the right to express our needs in a kind and gentle way.
• Giving ourselves permission to leave places or situations where we become overly sensitive is also important. Despite our best efforts, there are times when our resources to deal with a situation are exhausted and we have to walk away. And that’s good!
Support for sensitive children
It’s time for a new way of thinking around sensitivity. This means how we educate those on the sensory spectrum and teach children about the gifts of sensitivity. Sensitive people make the most compassionate, kind and compassionate friends, partners and colleagues. We should appreciate diversity and embrace all the different human qualities.
Editor’s Note: Although there are areas of overlap in how sensitivity is expressed, being a highly sensitive or empathic person is not the same as autism, which is a clinically assessed neurodevelopmental difference.
This article is in Journal of Wellness Issue 222
