What Is a Highly Sensitive Person? (Incl 12+ HSP Tests)

A highly sensitive person, or HSP, is someone who is more sensitive to external stimuli than the average person. This can include noise, bright lights, strong smells, and even other people’s moods or emotions. HSPs are more likely to feel overwhelmed by these stimuli and may need to take breaks or find ways to reduce the sensory input in their environment.

HSPs are often deeply affected by their surroundings and may have strong emotional reactions to things that others might not even notice. They may be more empathetic, intuitive, and creative than others, but they can also be easily overwhelmed or overstimulated.

If you think you might be a highly sensitive person, there are several tests and quizzes you can take to help determine if you fit the criteria. Here are 12 HSP tests that you can try:

1. Elaine Aron’s Highly Sensitive Person Test: This test is based on the research of psychologist Elaine Aron, who first identified the trait of high sensitivity.

2. The HSP Scale: This scale measures your level of sensitivity on a number of different traits, including emotional sensitivity, sensory sensitivity, and sensitivity to subtleties.

3. The Empathy Quotient: This test measures your ability to understand and feel the emotions of others, which is often a trait of highly sensitive people.

4. The Sensation Seeking Scale: This test measures your level of comfort with high levels of stimulation and novelty, which can be an indicator of high sensitivity.

5. The Introversion-Extraversion Scale: Highly sensitive people are often introverted, so this test can help determine if you have a preference for quiet, calm environments.

6. The Openness to Experience Scale: This test measures your willingness to try new things and explore different ideas, which is often a trait of highly sensitive people.

7. The Neuroticism Scale: HSPs are often more prone to anxiety and depression, so this test can help determine if you have a tendency towards these emotional states.

8. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: This test categorizes people into different personality types, some of which are more likely to be highly sensitive.

9. The Big Five Personality Test: This test measures your level of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism, which can help determine if you have traits of high sensitivity.

10. The Aron and Aron Relationship Questionnaire: This test measures your sensitivity towards your partner in a romantic relationship, which can be an indicator of high sensitivity.

11. The Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire: This test measures your sensitivity towards your children, which can also be an indicator of high sensitivity.

12. The Highly Sensitive Person Quiz: This quiz is a quick and easy way to determine if you have traits of high sensitivity.

If you find that you score highly on several of these tests, you may be a highly sensitive person. It’s important to remember that being highly sensitive is not a disorder or a negative trait—it’s simply a different way of experiencing the world. Highly sensitive people have unique strengths and abilities, and once they learn how to manage their sensitivity, they can thrive in a world that often feels overwhelming. If you think you might be highly sensitive, consider seeking out resources and support to help you navigate your sensitivity in a healthy way.