HSP-INFP

As an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) who also happens to be an INFP (a personality type from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: introversion, intuition, feeling, perception)  I feel compelled to address some of the misconceptions I’ve encountered—in the contexts of both personal and popular (/culturally appropriated) opinion.  First of all, not all HSPs (aka people affected by Sensory Processing Sensitivity) are introverted; conversely, not all introverted people are HSPs (think a Venn Diagram).  (Not to confuse things any further, but I should also mention that not all people who identify with being introverted are necessarily INFPs…)

Being introverted is not the same as being “shy” or “quiet”; the latter two terms being external labels, more-so than indicators of one’s propensity in terms of generating/restoring energy.  As an introvert, I restore my energy through time spent alone; if I were extroverted  however, I would generate energy through time spent amongst people. I should mention, too, that my inclination to have “alone time” when feeling over-stimulated or over-whelmed could be related to my sensory processing sensitivity in conjunction with my introversion.  For me, the two are inextricable.

The following are some of the ways in which my HSP-INFP characteristics manifest in my everyday life:

• For the most part, I don’t really care to talk on the phone (especially not for extended lengths of time).

• Depending on how noisy it is where I’m reading, I am often able to focus better wearing earplugs.

• I can’t concentrate on reading/writing while listening to music—with the exception being classical music (no words?)

• I need lots of sleep!

• Although I tend to be aurally sensitive, I can relate to the notion Elaine Aron mentioned in The Highly Sensitive Person, of how this sensitivity is not entirely absolute; for instance, there are times when I might choose to play music very loudly (and I might not even realize how loudly until I later turn on my radio again) and it won’t bother me

• I have many allergies/sensitivities—both environmental and dietary, including Oral Allergy Syndrome 

• There are certain textures (and sounds, too, for that matter) that make me feel ill inside: for example, corn starch, chalk residue, suede…and many more!

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These are only some of the HSP/INFP-related aspects that affect how I process and exist in the world.  In my mind, the knowledge of these different "exceptionalities" is not for the purpose of self-diagnosis or medicalization, but rather in order to normalize the different ways in which people function.  The more awareness/understanding there is, the more people can, ideally, empathize and foster cooperation that is person-centered and individualized, first; it’s humanistic, and—in a way—it’s also practical.