Everything else so far either doesn't apply to me (even though I scored high on the test included), is insulting and generalities to non-HSP people, contradictory or obviously false. Sensitive men who want to heal their childhood wounds will find this useful too, especially if they were bullied in school or have parents who don’t understand their sensitive nature. There is a 23-question "sensitivity test" on pages xxi-xxii; I answered 22 of them positively (in other words, "Yes, this bothers me"). Never has an author reframed such a deep and intrinsic part of myself that I've often felt insecure about into what now feels like one of the most substantial pieces of my being. In fact, most highly sensitive people are smart, thoughtful, and introspective - they have lots of thoughts and they have deep thoughts.

If you have a son that is highly sensitive and you want to understand how he is different from the other boys, this book is for you. It also explores Eastern philosophy and spirituality and provides relaxation and meditation techniques.

It also shows you how HSP presents themselves differently from non-sensitive in the therapeutic setting.

This is free download The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. I felt like the book really begged the question, as it used the metaphor of taking care of your body's needs as if your body were a baby. Another equally important part of growing up is no longer pretending we will be able to do absolutely everything. The ability to connect is of huge value and higher sensitivity is linked with creativity, brilliance and higher IQ. The HSP hashtag has more than 498m views on TikTok, while comedian Miranda Hart tweeted: “When I found out I was HSP it truly changed and saved my life.All theories look for definitive, areas-of-the-brain-lighting-up proof, one that makes a good picture in the media. Having been just one of Mel’s many teachers, I know that she has long been committed to such a soul-path, and find it hard to imagine anyone who would not benefit from reading her book.

Sorry, but I don't think highly sensitive introverts are all in one political box, nor do I think all those who are not sensitive to outside stimuli, or enjoy it, are all evil, uncaring, unfeeling people. I'm also still not crazy about the label "Highly Sensitive Person"; I know there are positive connotations to sensitivity, but every time I read Hightly Sensitive Person my mind sort of replaced it with Delicate Flower, which is the opposite of Aron's intent. There can be a deep feeling of not doing or being enough, or of being high-maintenance or having "issues. I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days,into bed or into a darkened room or any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation. I strongly suspect that other "Aspies" have gone over this book, chalked up their many quirks to just being sensitive, and then been left in the lurch when the one-dimensional approach to a far more complicated issue fails to improve their situation.

Photograph: Pål Hansen/The Observer Don’t burst my bubble: Rhik Samadder takes a softly, softly approach to life.