C. Sensitivity Quiz, Via Julie Bjelland, LMFT

20% of the population has the innate trait of high sensitivity, coined the highly sensitive person (HSP), by Dr. Elaine Aron back in the 1990s. Thanks to her pioneering research, we have scientific-based evidence that this trait, also known as sensory processing sensitivity, exists.

As an HSP psychotherapist that specializes in this trait, I have worked with HSPs all over the world and come to know common patterns, challenges, and gifts. I have created this quiz as a way to gather and share more information about the experience of sensitive people. Check the boxes that have applied to you at some point in your life. It takes about 5 minutes to complete.

I am dedicated to supporting you to live your fullest life and it is my mission to help you thrive in the world so you can share your gifts as a sensitive person. For more information about the trait of high sensitivity, visit www.juliebjelland.com. Please share this survey with other HSPs to help spread awareness and education.

*This survey is protected under United States and foreign copyrights. The copying, redistribution, use or publication by others is strictly prohibited.

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* 1. Which of the following statements apply to you? Check all that are at least somewhat true to you. Click the button at the bottom when you finish to see your score.

You are kind, compassionate, and empathetic.

Even though you are highly compassionate toward others, you find it harder to be self-compassionate.

For a large part of your life you have had a hard time saying no or creating boundaries with family or loved ones.

You have high expectations for yourself.

You prefer deep conversations instead of small talk.

You tend to blame yourself if someone is disappointed.

It feels easier to give up your own needs in the moment than to say no or disappoint someone.

You tend to be hard on yourself if you have an intense emotional reaction.

You consider a lot of details when making decisions.

You have strong insight and are deeply aware and in-tune with others.

It is important to you to do things right, well, and thoroughly.

You often know what others need.

You often go out of your way to be courteous.

You tend to experience high stress.

You find criticism extremely difficult.

You often experience symptoms of anxiety.

When someone is upset, it is hard not to take it personally.

You can be moved emotionally by art, nature, and beauty.

You are more affected than the majority by the news, violence, injustice, and other difficult events.

You tend to feel what others feel, sometimes it can even be hard to separate what is yours from what you have absorbed around you.

You crave meaning and fulfillment.

You notice small changes in a room others might not see.

If it were possible you would want more time to yourself to take sensory breaks.

You can be distracted more easily than many others by external sounds like ticking clocks and dripping water.

You seem to notice subtle smells before others.

Scratchy materials or things like seams and tags in clothing can make you uncomfortable.

You often need more time to process upcoming change.

If someone, something or a noise surprises you, your body experiences a sudden jolt or shock as part of a startled response.

You can be sensitive to medications.

You suffer from allergies or other chronic health conditions.

You may get headaches or digestive issues often.

You feel deeply impacted by the pain and sadness of others.

You have felt abnormal, “crazy,” weird, or different. This is impacted by how your culture and family perceive sensitivity. It can be labeled as wrong (“Don’t be so sensitive.”).

You find it can be difficult to express your needs.

You experience burnout and/or depletion regularly.

You want to get things right and try hard not to make mistakes.

You often need extra time to prepare in advance for trips, events, presentations, projects, etc.

You feel resentment when you feel you give more than others.

You generally feel overloaded at home in all that needs to get done.

It can be hard to be vulnerable or express your emotions to new people.

You experience resentment when others are not as courteous as you.

You often experience the feeling of being overwhelmed.

You try hard to avoid conflict.

You feel drained and need extra downtime after crowds, socializing or traveling.

You especially love being in nature and find it restores you.

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* 2. What is your age?

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* 3. What is your gender?

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What country are you from?

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* 5. Please include your email address for updates on this survey in Julie's HSP newsletter. (Your email will not be shared). Thanks!

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* 6. Hello, beautiful, sensitive being! I hope taking this quiz helped you feel normalized, validated, and understood. It is a powerful experience to learn about yourself within this trait.

Before understanding the HSP brain I used to find it very challenging to be such a sensitive person in today's modern, chaotic, busy world. I think that's why I am so passionate about teaching you all the tools so you can be out in the world living your fullest life too!

Once complete, click the button below, to see your percentage score pop up. I got 100% myself and had to learn the same tools to lower my challenges so I could access my gifts and help other HSPs. :)

I invite you to subscribe to my weekly HSP newsletter at HSPblog.com and explore my website that has so many resources for you as a sensitive person empoweredhsp.com. (You may want to write those down so you can explore what I have created just for HSPs).

New! I have created a private Sensitive Empowerment community that I also invite you to join. Please leave your email if you would like a special invitation.

-Much love, Julie