What We Are Exploring: Are You Highly Sensitive? Self-Testing.
1. All information in this book [including the test developed, author's ed.] is based on a solid foundation of both my research and experiments conducted by other scientists, or I speak based on my repeated observations of HSPs from experience in courses, interviews, individual consultations, and psychotherapy sessions. I have had thousands of such opportunities to explore the personal lives of HSPs (Airon E. 2014) [1].
2. What does psychological self-testing mean? In psychology, self-report (self-testing) is any test, measurement, or survey that relies on a person's report of his or her symptoms, behavior, beliefs, or attitudes (Verywellmind)*.
* Theories: Using Self-Report Data in Psychology. https://www.verywellmind.com/definition-of-self-report-425267
3. The basis for developing the test. Elaine Aron's quote in the first paragraph establishes the practical value of her test, making it trustworthy for readers. She provides reliable evidence for the use of her test as a self-test, through her own research, as well as experiments conducted by other scientists. Her ideas come from extensive observations, courses, individual consultations, and psychotherapy sessions. The number of her studies of the individual behavior of highly sensitive people (hereinafter HSPs) is in the thousands.
4. Instructions from the author of the test Elaine Aron. In her book "The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive in a Crazy World," psychologist and psychotherapist Elaine Aron gives several useful tips for her test for HSPs.
• This test can be "useful for anyone who wants to understand HSPs, acting as a friend, relative, consultant, employer, teacher or therapist" * (author's italics) (Aron E. 2014) [1].
• HSPs "have a characteristic that is common to many. In other words, it sets you apart and serves as a label. The benefits are that you are free to feel normal and to benefit from the research and experiences of others. However, any label robs a person of uniqueness. All HSPs are completely different, despite their common trait. Please remember this" (ibid., author's italics).
• "Remember: This book [and the test results after scoring, author's emphasis] are not a substitute for the help of a qualified psychotherapist in a critical or controversial situation" (ibid., author's italics).
* Quotes in quotation marks are from Elaine Aron.
5. Test "Are You Highly Sensitive?" Mark the test items according to the feelings you experience. If the next item is at least partly true for you, choose the answer "yes." If you doubt it or if the item implies something completely false for you, choose the answer "no."
1. I notice even minor changes in the environment.
2. I am influenced by the moods of other people.
3. I am characterized by excessive sensitivity to pain.
4. I notice that on stressful days I need to hide somewhere - in bed, in a darkened room, in any other place where I can be alone and rest from irritants.
5. I am especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
6. I am quickly confused by bright flashes, strong odors, rough fabrics, and sudden sounds of car sirens or horns nearby.
7. I have a rich and complex mental life.
8. Loud noises make me uncomfortable.
9. I am deeply moved by paintings (or music).
10. I am a conscientious person.
11. I am easily frightened.
12. I lose my temper when I have to cope with too many things at once.
13. When people feel uncomfortable in their physical surroundings, I usually know what to do to make them acceptable (such as changing the lighting or moving to a different seat).
14. I become irritated when I am forced to do too many things at once.
15. I try my best to avoid mistakes and forgetfulness.
16. I make it a goal to avoid violent movies and TV shows.
17. I feel overly nervous when too much is happening around me.
18. Severe hunger causes me to react sharply, interferes with concentration, and affects my mood.
19. Changes in my life are a strong shock to me.
20. I enjoy noticing subtle and delicate smells, tastes, sounds, and works of art.
21. One of my main goals is to organize my life so as to avoid shocks and situations that deprive me of my mental balance.
22. When I have to compete with someone or perform a task under supervision, I become so nervous and quivering, that I perform much less than usual.
23. When I was a child, my parents and teachers considered me impressionable, sensitive, or shy.
6. Scoring. If you answered "yes" to 12 or more of the questions, you are most likely highly sensitive (ibid., author's italics).
7. Warning. But frankly speaking, there are no psychological tests that are so accurate that you can base your life on them. If only one or two points are true for you, but they are extremely true for you, you too can rightfully call yourself a highly sensitive human (ibid., author's italics).
8. Test results. Psychotherapist Ilse Sand, author of the book "Close to Heart: How to Live When You're Too Sensitive," commented on the test by Elaine Airon. Sand has used this test with her clients in her practice and has come to the conclusion that some questions are confusing, while others can be perplexing. She emphasized that the accuracy of a human's answers can depend on their cultural background and upbringing.
• "It is quite possible that the results obtained are not entirely accurate. After all, some of us immediately note in ourselves all those traits that we consider positive. More modest people are afraid to attribute too positive qualities to themselves. "Am I really responsible?" they ask themselves and immediately recall cases when they showed impatience and neglected the needs of others for their benefit (author's italics) (Sand, Ilse. 2018) [2].
Taking into account the above difficulties, Ilse Sand developed her test. This test, together with her comments, is presented in the next chapter.
Next chapter: How to Love Yourself? Highly Sensitive: Test 2.
What we are researching: How highly sensitive are you? Self-test.
References
1. Eiron, Elaine. The highly sensitive person: how to succeed in a crazy world / Elaine Eiron; trans. from English by U. Saptsina. – Moscow: Azbuka Business, Azbuka-Atticus, 2014. – 416 p.
2. Sand, Ilse. Close to the heart: how to live if you are an overly sensitive person / Il-se Sand; trans. from Danish by Anastasia Naumova – Moscow: Alpina Publisher, 2018. – 164 p.
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