Good question. I appreciate some of the humor in there. Every now and then I need a fix when I'm dealing with jerks. Sometimes dark humor helps alleviate some of my stress. HSP is mainly a matter of temperament. We are allowed to also feel anger and frustration.

When unsure I didn't tick the box and imagined that would get me off the hook but I ended up on 18. I think I mainly cope by bluffing, many who know me just haven't got a clue.

@Salo @RavenCT Yes, it's very misunderstood. A trait most are born with, they recognize it at a very young age but never understand why they percieve things differently. It's like your nervous system is more wired to pick up stuff.

Yeah. It's very misunderstood. It doesn't mean other people are less sensitive, it just mean that HSP's are more wired to perceive nuances in their environment. It's a matter of temperament, something you're usually born with, something you can even see on babies and young children.

The link in the original post has a fairly quick quiz that gives you a rough rating but is also quite informative.

@Salo Thanks. Whew I scored a 9. On the one hand, I am too sensitive to take an IQ test b/c I know I'm not where I want to be. On the other hand, I can watch horror movies all day, because I appreciate make-up and acting genius.

It's a matter of temperament, doesn't mean other people are less sensitive. Mainly how your wiring picks up nuances in your environment. And there are degrees -- some people may be more sensitive in one are than others. Most people sort of recognized they percieve things differently from when they were very young, if though they never understood it.

Apparently someone finds my comment hilarious. It’s not funny being an empath in a society that celebrates traits that are basically psychopathic. A society that bullies others and rewards bullies. HSPs are often female, which adds a sexist dimension to the harsh judgement passed on people who feel deeply.

@Livia The person who chose the laughter icon may have meant to choose the Hearts one and not known how to change the icon. It took me a while to figure out how to change an icon I'd accidentally clicked on.

@pixiedust I've done this. I usually catch it but it depends on whether I have my laptop screen or my Kindle screen to view it on.

@Livia The HSP trait actually occurs across the board equally between male and female. But especially in our society a sensitive boy or man is looked down on, so they learn to suppress it. There's an HSP named Ted Zeff who's done some writing about it.

@bleurowz I would be interested in that, as HS women are often diagnosed with the very sigmatizing Borderline Personality Disorder, which I think is an attack on HS women, especially if they have been traumatized or have depression. Also, I will say, I have not yet met an outwardly HS male. Maybe society bashes it out of them. If so, I am very sorry. This world needs empaths.