HSP experts inspire us to cherish our sensitive and empathic gifts. 

Dr. Judith Orloff, psychiatrist and author of “The Empaths Survival Guide,” and Dr. Elaine Aron, key HSP researcher and author of “The Highly Sensitive Person,” emphasize how humanity needs our highly-compassionate nature. 

Eight months, two books, and many conversations later, I’m thrilled to be nurturing my sensitive and empathic traits. Orloff’s quote gets to the heart of it for me:

“When empaths heal themselves and say ‘yes’ to honoring their sensitivities, they are saying ‘no’ to patterns of abuse, neglect, and addiction that have been repeated in their relatives,” writes Orloff.

When feeling so much gets overwhelming, this clarity feels like a helpful reminder. Orloff encourages us to gradually heal our fears to create more space for our inner light. 

“The inter-generational transmission of pain stops with them. Through their recovery and the acceptance of their gifts, empaths are the ones who can repair the greater familial hole. Mindful, conscious people are the most effective agents of change,” shares Orloff. 

Orloff expresses the need for us to do emotional and spiritual inner work. She says collective enlightenment shifts only last when leaders embrace a compassionate healing process. 

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The Gifts of HSPs and Empaths

Orloff describes many blessings sensitive people can be grateful for. We get to experience exquisite passion and joy, perceive the big picture on a deep level, and know how to be at one with nature. We tend to be caring, aware, and vulnerable. 

“Being empathic has incredible benefits such as greater intuition, compassion, creativity, and a deeper connection to other people,” writes Orloff. 

If you’re highly sensitive, you might also be an empath, which has more to do with sensing subtle energies. 

“Similarities include a low threshold for stimulation, the need for alone time, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, plus an aversion to large groups. Empaths share an HSP’s love of nature, quiet environments, desire to help others, and rich inner life. Empaths take the experience of the highly-sensitive person much further,” writes Orloff, in a post: “The Differences Between Empaths and Highly-Sensitive People.” 

Orloff describes how empaths are at the highest end of the empathy spectrum while HSPs are lower. 

Aron shares some common HSP strengths, especially in relationships:

• Attending to the subtle
• Having creative new ideas
• Knowing why you are living
• Deepening communication
• Appreciating beauty

In comparison with a less sensitive person, HSPs excel at thoughtfully answering the big questions. 

“If there is a strong bond between the two, it’s probably because the less sensitive person truly needs and values what you, the more sensitive one, contributes. Without it, all the efficient doing of things would be for nothing and probably be much less effective as well,” writes Aron. 

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The Sensitivity Discovery Journey  

If you think you might be an HSP, start with Aron’s self-test. HS is a biological trait that occurs within 15-20% of most species. Aron coined the HSP term in 1991 and shared more trait understanding in the last few decades. 

If you’re highly sensitive and feel you may also be empathic, try Orloff’s 20-question self-assessment. She says the empath trait may come from genetics or childhood experiences. 

Both self-assessments felt like helpful places to begin exploring what feels true. Aron emphasizes how unique each HSP’s experience is. Once you realize there’s nothing wrong with you, and you’re actually gifted, life choices and situations make more sense. 

With more awareness and education on the topic, I feel more empowered. It’s like with clarity, I finally get to enjoy the nuances in how I experience the world. I also have more tools for protecting myself and managing stimulation levels. 

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Inspiring HSPs helps me see how necessary and powerful these gifts are for our planet. 

“Sensitivity is the path to non-violence. We can be healers, restorers, seers, and lovers if we keep our sensitivities open and stay centered in our power. My advice is to do good and be good; the rest will follow,” writes Orloff. 

Dive deeper into HSP and empath topics with Orloff’s and Aron’s books, which I recommend. Or read my previous HSP-focused articles:

• Why Highly-Sensitive People Embrace Spirituality
• High Sensitivity Is Becoming My New Superpower 
• How Yoga Supports Highly Sensitive People

Photo Credit: Unsplash, Moon Bhuyan

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I publish inspiring, empowering content on self-actualization topics once a week. I include insights from personal experience, research, expert advice, and others’ stories. I use my professional journalism and research background to keep posts concise, empathic, and trustworthy.

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