Up to 30 percent of the adult population has a higher level of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), as supported by a substantial body of research that is still growing.
The label of Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) has been used to describe people with this trait. Heightened sensitivity to the environment is seen across species (over 100 have been studied) as seen in temperament, behavior and gene variants, and is considered to be an evolutionary adaptation.
For more background, read a related article, Am I a Highly Sensitive Person? Initial research on the HSP trait led to an understanding of two basic groups: the highly sensitive and everyone else.
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