Sensory Processing Sensitivity at Work: A Guide for Highly Sensitive People
How to Turn Your Hypersensitivity Into a Professional Advantage
Are you a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) struggling to adapt to the workplace? Discover how your sensitivity can become your hidden superpower amidst the chaos of the office. This guide will help you recognize the signs of hypersensitivity at work and provide practical strategies for thriving in a non-HSP professional world.
What is Sensory Processing Sensitivity?
Sensory Processing Sensitivity is a neurobiological trait present in approximately 15-20% of the population. Highly Sensitive People (HSP) process stimuli more deeply and show greater emotional reactivity [1]. This trait can represent both a challenge and a unique opportunity in the workplace.
The Gift and Challenge of Sensitivity at Work
PAS possess valuable qualities in the professional field:
- Acute empathy
- Attention to detail
- High creativity
- Deep processing capability [2]
However, these same characteristics can create difficulties in a traditional work environment:
- Sensory hyperstimulation
- Difficulty with fast paces
- Challenges in intense interpersonal dynamics
Without proper management, these factors can lead to overload and burnout [3].
Are You a PAS at Work? Recognize the Signs
To understand if you might be a Highly Sensitive Person in a work context, consider the following points [4]:
- Do you often feel overwhelmed by the office environment (noises, lights, smells)?
- Do you need more time to process information and make decisions than your colleagues?
- Do you notice nuances and details that others seem to overlook?
- Are you particularly sensitive to criticism or conflict at work?
- Do you feel exhausted after long meetings or intense social interactions?
- Do you have a strong intuition about interpersonal dynamics in the office?
- Do you prefer to work in a quiet environment with few distractions?
- Are you deeply affected by the mood and energy of the people around you?
- Do you tend to reflect at length on your work experiences and interactions?
- Do you feel more productive when working on one task at a time, rather than multitasking?
If you recognize yourself in many of these points, it is possible that you are a PAS. Recognizing this characteristic is the first step towards better management of your work experience.
Sources : [1] Aron, E. N., Aron, A., & Jagiellowicz, J. (2012). Sensory processing sensitivity: A review in the light of the evolution of biological responsivity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 16(3), 262-282. [2] Acevedo, B. P. (2020). The basics of sensory processing sensitivity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(11), 1272-1282. [3] Greven, C.U., et al. (2019). Sensory processing sensitivity in the context of environmental sensitivity: A critical review and development of research agenda. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 98, 287-305. [4] Aron, E. N. (2010). Psychotherapy and the highly sensitive person: Improving outcomes for that minority of people who are the majority of clients. Routledge. [5] Bridges, D., & Schendan, H. E. (2019). Sensitive individuals are more creative. Personality and Individual Differences, 142, 186-195.