The Highly Sensitive Person's Workbook

by Elaine N. Aron

Are you a Highly Sensitive Person? If so, this workbook is for you.

Do noise and confusion quickly overwhelm you? Do you have a rich inner life and intense dreams? Did parents or teachers call you "too shy" or "too sensitive"? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).

High sensitivity is a trait shared by 20 percent of the population, according to Dr. Elaine Aron, a clinical psychologist and workshop leader and the bestselling author of The Highly Sensitive Person . The enormous response to her book led Dr. Aron to create The Highly Sensitive Person's Workbook , designed to honor that long-ignored, trampled-on part of yourself--your sensitivity. A collection of exercises and activities for both individuals and groups, this workbook will help you identify the HSP trait in yourself, nurture the new, positive self-image you deserve, and create a fuller, richer life. You will be able to:

Identify your specific sensitivities with self-assessment tests
Reframe past experiences in a more positive light
Interpret dreams and relate them to your sensitivity
Cope with overarousal through relaxation, breathing, and visualization techniques
Describe your trait in a work interview or to an unsympathetic family member, new friend, doctor, or therapist

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Personal Development, Science, Spirituality

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Hauth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I've read somewhere around the first 150 pages and read a part of other chapters. But I'm already feeling like I have finally found hope. I feel like a lifetime of shame and humiliation, and not knowing how to explain what's going on with me can end. Finally I can get appropriate treatment by my psychologist who decided to order the book at first sight. I sometimes laugh and cry out of relief and feel it's so surreal that I have found this out. I was bullied because I was sensitive, my father was too harsh on me and said hurtful things to me because of my sensitivity, I couldnt stand up to my mothers expectations or advice, my teachers, other family members and other children didn't understand me and I didnt understand myself. I developed a general anxiety disorder at 9 or younger because of upbringing that wasn't the one I needed, and sensitive children are more affected by bad upbringing. For years I've been in therapy but always felt hopeless because there was something that hadnt changed and I didnt know what I needed to do to change it, or if I could. Now I know that I have hope of recovering from my depression and anxiety, but the sensitivity part of it is something that is a positive part of my being, it comes with being overwhelmed by stimuli sometimes, but now I know why I'm overwhelmed and am more aware of it so it's different taking action on it now.

I've learned in my therapy that I need to stop analizing things so much, but I never knew how to stop that, and it feels so reliefing that I don't have to, because it's been helpful too. If I didn't I would never have found this book. Of course the depression and anxiety need healing work, but now as I said before, it feels more possible than before.

I agree that the lines are too short for projects, but I like having a seperate book where I can write down all sorts of thoughts that come up about this work, like she recommends, a journal. I think having the lines is good though, on some psychological level, I don't know exactly what I mean by it now but I wouldnt want the lines gone. I think they sometimes help visualize it more, if that makes sense, it does to me. :)

It's like a certain roadblock has been taken away and I can continue on my journey. That is something so valuable to have gotten :)

[Ash Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I LOVE both books from the series. Some things about myself that I never really understood are finally starting to make sense. I'm not so alone after all...

[Katri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to take this book off my currently-reading shelf though I haven't finished it yet, because it's not something you read like a novel. I'll probably be going through it for a long time, on and off. It's a workbook full of exercises, and those exercises take some time and energy to do. So I do them every now and then, when it feels like the right time to do it. But already after a few chapters I find that it's an excellent book for an HSP who wants to explore their sensitivity and find out how it affects their life and how they can learn to live with its negative sides and enjoy its positive sides. A very good addition to Aron's The Highly Sensitive Person, which explains what being Highly Sensitive means and how you can deal with it in a world that seems to be made for less sensitive people.

My only complaint is that most of the time, there are way to few lines for writing your answer to the exercise questions. I at least can't answer them in such short space, and so it's necessary to have a separate notebook for them anyway and the lines become useless. Might as well not have them at all if there's not going to be enough space for meaningful answers.

[Cher Staite · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this at the request of friend (an editor) to give him my opinion. It was all I could do to get half way. He asked my opinion because I've been a "sensitive" all my life (I'm in my 70's).

It's now 'trendy' to be an HSP. Most are not. Most are living out some past (possibly childhood) trauma and/or adapting to an abusive environment by calling on latent abilities.

This 'book' desperately needed a good editor. It's full of conflicting 'scientific observations' and mostly a bunch of kumbaya "we're so special" nonsense.

This is nothing but a stroking for people paying for a course.

Best place for it is the trash.

[Kevin Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading this with a HSP meet-up group. This provides a wonderful source for focus in guiding discussion and introspection. This also provides a section on a several week workshop. Looking forward to covering this material and will report back how it goes.

[Deb Lancaster · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf.

At the part where she said crystals absorb negative energy I noped out. Total crap.

[Monica Haak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel inzichtelijk. Fijne oefeningen, zeker in combi met het gewone leesboek.

[Con · Rating 4 out of 5]

As many others, I completed over half the exercises and feel I don't need further education at this point. Ms. Aron absolutely opened my mind to understand why I am the way I am. I never understood how the majority of people thrive on stimulation opposed to my inability to survive in it. She gives tools to use daily for those of us who are "HSPs". Life-changing!

[Amyparadise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lit soy yo

[Lori Galaske · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I wasn't impressed with The Highly Sensitive Person, both The Highly Sensitive Person in Love and this workbook by the same author have been extremely beneficial in helping me understand myself, my past, and how to navigate life going forward. I recommend working through the entire workbook as your answers might surprise you in sections that you would have skipped - even if you don't actually write all of your answers down.

[SuzannevHaaften · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boek kan losgelezen worden van andere boeken. Het wordt een beetje geschreven alsof de lezer enorm in de knoop zit met het leven, andere mensen en het verleden. Doordat er steeds in de wij-vorm wordt geschreven heb ik ook het idee dat de schrijfster dus een beetje in de knoop zit. Heeft mij geen nieuwe info gegeven.

[Tahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

exceptionally helpful and informative.

[Bennett]

Came across this at a used bookstore today (6/13/18). I identify with most of the traits in Aron’s HSP (“highly sensitive persons) assessment and I am excited to learn more.

[Leew49 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aron describes highly sensitive people (HSPs) as being more aware of and sensitive to stimuli, both external and internal, including subtle nuances of meaning and behavior that may escape the general population. HSPs are not necessarily sensitive in the negative sense of the word; that is, more prone to take offense and react in an emotional way, although they may sometimes seem to be. Aron is also careful to distinguish HSP from introversion, shyness and neurosis; though again HSPs may overlap with these conditions in some characteristics. HSPs tend to process things more slowly and more deeply and need longer to reach conclusions. They are easily overstimulated and need more "down time" than the majority of the population. Consequently, they may seem, depending on the circumstances, to be withdrawn, overly emotive, or stuck up. On the other hand, they may show greater empathy and be more creative. They also tend to be very conscientious. Depending on their past experiences they often go out of their way to avoid unpleasant situations, confrontation and high-stimulus settings such as large parties or sports bars. Some develop an unfortunate tendency to be people pleasers, owing to their tendency to feel empathy, to be conscientious, and wishing to avoid emotional confrontations.

[Kathryn Burwash · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent companion to her earlier work "The Highly Sensitive Person." Full of great ideas and exercises to better understand and accept yourself or another as a Highly Sensitive Person. With tips on managing and celebrating this often misunderstood and unacknowledged personality trait.

[Lexie Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This workbook is great for anyone who thinks of themselves and sensitive or been told that they’re sensitive. It helps empower and strengthen you to use this sensitivity to your advantage. Sensitivity is not a flaw but a superpower.

This book has been very therapeutic for me. I have become stronger than before I opened this workbook.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not as good as the Highly Sensitive Person. But none the less still a really good book that was extremely helpful. I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book much better than the last 1/3.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did a quick scan. Looks like a great workbook for someone interested in doing the work.

[Redeemed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I get the sense that if I didn't read as much of the Bible and Jungian psychology, this would be more helpful. The book still had some good information, provided that you read with discernment.

[Sini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting insights and exercises help to see yourself better.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good. In hindsight, would have chosen the book rather than the workbook.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I find this characterization unique and relate to this trait, I felt the reading was sluggish.

[Angelica Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workbook with journal prompts. Very useful. Enjoyed using this book a lot.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

The work on this book is always ongoing. I love self reflection.

[Nancy S. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical ways it changed my life.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for all highly sensitives.

[Cristina Gich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una sesión con E. Aaron, brindándote ejercicios para vivir mejor con tu alta sensibilidad y poder reconciliarte contigo mismo/a, con tu pasado y con los demás.

[Bloodorange]

I don't know what that was supposed to be. Replacement for therapy? Literally only about ten pages of it were useful to me.

[marwa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t finish…literally so boring lol

[Arja-täti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Itsehoito-oppaat tehtävineen ei ole mun juttu, joten tämäkin tuli lähinnä selattua läpi. Edellisiin kirjoihin ei oikein tullut lisää, mutta voi olla tärkeä kirja jollekin. Mutta oikeesti, tekeekö joku noita tehtäviä? Ryhmässä ehkä mutta kotona kirjan kanssa?