There are several types of highly sensitive persons (HSP). HSP types are various manifestations or different forms of high sensitivity. Are you highly sensitive and curious which type you are; a HSS (high sensation seeker) / thrill seeker or tranquility seeker ? Discover in this blog what it exactly means, how to test it and what it can do for you!
High sensitivity and balance
Approximately 15-20% of the population is a highly sensitive person (HSP) and recognizes themselves in these highly sensitive person traits. If you are a HSP, stimuli can come in intensely and your nervous system can become overstimulated. This can make you suffer from fatigue, among other things.
HSP often find it difficult to find a balance between making time for themselves (and their inner world) and the outside world; this can cost energy. You can learn how to best organize your time and be productive!
Why do HSPs handle their sensitivity differently?
HSP deal with their high sensitivity in a diverse way. This is related to their personality. A personality includes the physical, emotional and mental aspect of someone. Your personality is partly formed by an innate part (your genes and nervous system) and what you have learned.
Two types of highly sensitive persons
Basically you can distinguish two types of highly sensitive personalities, in random order:
- Thrill/sensation seekers , approximately 25 % of the HSP falls under this. These are also called High Sensation Seekers, abbreviated to HSP HSS type.
- Tranquility/Rest seekers, approximately 75% of the HSP falls under this. Some people call this type HSP: that is a misunderstanding. A HSP can also be the HSS type mentioned above.
You can often recognize something in yourself of both types. One type often has the upper hand. See below some qualities and pitfalls of both types, these can vary per person!
Type 1: HSP HSS type
HSP HSS Types are also referred to as Thrill or Sensation Seekers. Sensation Seeking means that you consciously seek out sensations, stimuli or impressions . You can be strong willed.
Compared to a thrill seeker of average sensitivity, a HSP of this type tends to be more aware of details and interested in them.
Compared to a Tranquility Seeker type, you are a bit more extroverted, more focused on the outside world and look for new and intense experiences. You like excitement and adventure and are willing to take a lot of risk (financially, socially, physically and legally). In general, this type makes itself heard more than the Tranquility Seeker. You love contact with people, but this can also exhaust you if you have not yet mastered your high sensitivity.
A problem that this type can experience is that you are often overstimulated, but you also quickly get tired of things. You can bustle with ideas and get a full head. You regularly need a challenge and incentives (because otherwise you will find life boring), but also peace and sometimes seclusion. This can sometimes be confusing for yourself or others.
Type 2: HSP tranquility seeker type
Compared to a Tranquility Seeker with an average sensitivity, this type of HSP is often more aware of themselves and others. This HSP is calm and contemplative, likes an orderly and regular life and acts less impulsively than a Sensation Seeker. He/she does not like risks of crowds.
Maybe you sometimes prefer to avoid social events and prefer a 1 on 1 conversation? This image fits more with the HSP stereotype. These HSPs are often found introverted. It is usually thought that introverts close themselves off from worldly matters, but HSP are busy with this a lot!
A problem that this type may experience is that you can become overwhelmed with feelings and worries, withdraw and may feel lonely at times , or suffer from shyness.
Tips for highly sensitive persons:
- What do you recognize from both types and which type has the upper hand? Get insight into what kind of HSP type you are. For example, take a HSP type test (Femke shares this test in her guidance).
- Use the qualities and do activities that belong to your type. So that you get energy from your HSP type, instead of being bothered by it.
- Learn to manage and master your high sensitivity so that it works to your advantage (instead of disadvantage). Especially if you are an HSS type, learning to limit is important.
What kind of type of HSP are you?/HSP HSS Test
Not sure if you are a HSP, or what type of HSP you are? Or have you just discovered that you are highly sensitive and do you have an idea what kind of HSP type you are, but do you not know what you can do with this concretely and how you can reap the benefits of this? You are welcome to contact us.
About Femke de Grijs and Mathijs van der Beek
We are Femke and Mathijs: a Dutch couple and we are both highly sensitive and highly intuitive/paranormal. We feel a non-physical presence beyond the visible site and we are very interested in spirituality and sacred places.
We love to travel the world with our dog Juultje (born in 2022).
We like helping highly sensitive and paranormal persons to discover their divine calling and soul purpose and live it, so they can feel alive too.