The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

Amazon.co.uk Review

Is time alone each day as essential to you as sleep? Do you feel overwhelmed by bright lights and noise? Do you have a keen imagination and vivid dreams? Are you "too shy" or "too sensitive" according to others? Are you frequently accused of being a cry-baby or a scaredy-cat? If any of the above sound familiar, you could be a "highly sensitive" person. One in every five people is born with a heightened sensitivity: these individuals are often gifted with great intelligence, intuition and imagination. However, there are also drawbacks. Frequently they come across as aloof, shy or moody and suffer from low self-esteem because they find it hard to express themselves in a society dominated by excess and stress. US-based author Elaine Aron, herself a highly sensitive person, offers practical solutions for people who feel overwhelmed by their own feelings. Elaine has pioneered research into highly sensitive people for many years. She trained at the Jung Institute in San Francisco and now runs a thriving psychotherapy practice. This is an excellent book for those of us who have previously been dismissed as being neurotic or over-sensitive. Filled with helpful case studies and practical exercises and advice, it focuses on how to stop perceiving yourself as shy and instead focus on your strengths. It is useful reading for any parents who have a sensitive child.
Megan Slyfield

Synopsis

For those people who have a keen imagination, are labelled too shy or too sensitive, who perform poorly when being observed even though they are usually competent, have vivid dreams and for whom time alone each day is essential - this is the book to help them understand themselves and how best to cope in various situations. Highly sensitive people are often very bright and creative but many suffer from low self esteem. They are not "neurotics" as they have been labelled for so long. However, high sensitivity can lead them to cease to engage with the outside world. This book offers solutions for a happy and fulfilling life, particularly in the way an HSP perceives him or herself, it helps to "reframe" past events, such as a difficult childhood.