SELF ASSESSMENT | How sensitive are you?

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Survey for Adult Children of a BPD or NPD Parent.

This is a test developed by Elaine Aron, PhD.   Aron is best known for her book "The Highly Sensitive Person " a national best seller with over 1 million copies printed.  It is a very simple test to take ... . 

What is your total score?  Let us know in the poll above and tell us (post) whether you feel good or are you struggling from effects of the BP relationship?
 
0= Not at all        1-2=Somewhat        3=Moderately        4-5=A lot        6=Extremely        
 

------ ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___

-------------------------------------------------------- I am easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input.   I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.   Other people’s moods affect me.   I tend to be very sensitive to pain.   On busy days, I will withdraw and seek temporary privacy or relief from stimulation.   I am particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.   I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, sirens.   I have a rich, complex inner life.   I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.   I am deeply moved by the arts or music.   My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled that I just have to go off by myself.   I am conscientious.   I startle easily.   I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.   When people are physically uncomfortable in a space, I know what needs to be done to be comfortable (change temperature, light, seating).   I am annoyed when people try to get me to do too many things at once.   I try hard to avoid making mistakes or forgetting things.   I make a point to avoid violent movies and TV shows.   I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is going on around me.   Being very hungry creates a strong reaction in my mood or ability to concentrate.   Changes in my life shake me up.   I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, works of art.   I find it unpleasant to have a lot going on at once.   I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.   I am bothered by intense stimuli, like loud noises or chaotic scenes.   When I was a child, my parents or teachers saw me as sensitive or shy.   When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous or shaky that I do much worse than I would otherwise.

Scoring:
 
If you answers total 61 or more, you are probably highly sensitive. But no psychological test is so accurate that an individual should base his or her life on it.
 
If fewer questions are true of you, but extremely true, that might also justify calling you highly sensitive.

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            How sensitive are you?


See list of all self-assessment surveys

[ColdEthyl]

whoa ok... .I got 101.

This might sound stupid, but I thought I might get high but not... .through the roof high. I know I don't multitask well, I hate having a lot of things to do and not getting them done in the time frame I think they should have been, and I do always try my best to never make any mistakes.

When I was a child I used to have panic attacks. I would 'forget' to breathe and my vision would go dark, I couldn't hear I would get dizzy and need to sit down. My parents always just said I was a spaz and something was wrong with me.

I don't think this is from being in a r/s with a pwBPD, but I'm sure it isn't helping anything.

[tjay933]

54

Sounds low compared to others so far. how do I feel about the BPD relationship-some days are great, others not so great. depends on the most recent contact with my BPDh. when he's going up the scale, I feel more vulnerable. days that he is good-I feel strong and healthy.

[Cat Familiar]

I got 83.

I knew I'd test high since I took another version of this test before. Yes, I was an extremely frightened and sensitive kid. I'm less so as an adult, thanks to therapy and just being desensitized by life. I had my husband take the other test and he didn't rate as highly sensitive, which surprised me. He's very moved by art and music (me, not nearly as much) and he's so highly tuned into any possible criticism by others.

I hate loud music, construction noise, cities in general. And I tend to focus on one thing--having my attention divided is really annoying. I can't read if a radio is playing and I can't speak on the phone if my husband is trying to simultaneously tell me something.

[Panda39]

100

Absolutely no surprise to me.  I had complete meltdowns in dressing rooms as a kid if clothes were not comfortable, my brother chomping (I mean chewing  ) his food drove me nuts, and I remember getting hyperventilating hysterical watching a documentary about wolves where some of the pups were eaten by predators!  :'(

As an adult I am more aware of my sensitivities and can usually manage them just fine or I just go with it.  I know for example that after a certain point being in a crowd will get to be to much for me, when I get there I leave.  My SO is very good at being able to tell when I need something to eat.  I still bawl like a baby at the movies or watching TV and music can make me cry too.

But please do not turn on the TV while I'm trying to listen to music!  Then it's too much stimulation 

[Rockylove]

89

I kinda figured it would be up there.  I was diagnosed about 10 years ago with fibromyalgia and sensitivity is part of the syndrome.  I'm like the princess and the pea... .I can't stand to have even a crumb in the bed or I can't sleep.  I suffered with debilitating anxiety attacks, get extremely blue in the winter and repetitive noise will drive me out of my mind!  

Being an artist, I'm very moved by art and music... .seems natural to me.  

I think that was part of the attraction I had for my husband... .he is sensitive toward many of the same things as I am.

[OffRoad]

My score was 38.

What is funny is there were very few "moderately" for me. I am extremely conscientious, am deeply moved by the arts or music and other people's moods affect me, but I am not sensitive to pain at all, I don't usually get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time and changes don't normally bother me.

My son's score, on the other hand, was 123.

[Skip]

39

51% of the questions I answered as 0. The remaining 49% averaged a 3.  The highest score was 5, "I am conscientious".

I would consider myself to be sensitive but not impaired by it which seems to fit the score.

Interesting test.

[Turkish]

24-26.

I wonder how much my avoidant traits contribute to the low score... .

[misty_red]

106

Doesn't surpirse me at all. I'm highly sensitive due to my aspergers.

[Targeted]

36 am I in trouble now?

[DyingLove]

88 for me.  

I think I could have pushed and got a few extra points, but I based everything on a non-crisis kind of day. :-)

[going places]

I am a 53

0= Not at all        1-2=Somewhat        3=Moderately        4-5=A lot        6=Extremely    

3. I am easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input.

6. I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.

2. Other people’s moods affect me.

2. I tend to be very sensitive to pain.

3. On busy days, I will withdraw and seek temporary privacy or relief from stimulation.

0. I am particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

0. I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, sirens.

0. I have a rich, complex inner life.

1. I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.

1. I am deeply moved by the arts or music.

3. My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled that I just have to go off by myself.

6. I am conscientious.

6. I startle easily.

3. I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.

6. When people are physically uncomfortable in a space, I know what needs to be done to be comfortable (change temperature, light, seating).

2. I am annoyed when people try to get me to do too many things at once.

0. I try hard to avoid making mistakes or forgetting things.

0. I make a point to avoid violent movies and TV shows.

1. I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is going on around me.

1. Being very hungry creates a strong reaction in my mood or ability to concentrate.

2. Changes in my life shake me up.

0. I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, works of art.

1. I find it unpleasant to have a lot going on at once.

2. I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.

2. I am bothered by intense stimuli, like loud noises or chaotic scenes.

0. When I was a child, my parents or teachers saw me as sensitive or shy.

0. When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous or shaky that I do much worse than I would otherwise.

[iluminati]

My score was a 40.  

Pretty middle of the road.  It's what I expected, and based on how people view me, sounds about right.  

[DreamGirl]

73


If fewer questions are true of you, but extremely true, that might also justify calling you highly sensitive.

I had some really "extremely true" ones. Others were just moderate.

[lbjnltx]

50

5's for "avoid making mistakes and forgetting" and "conscientious"

3 for "people watching me complete a task"

Don't like it ... .never have.

All the rest were 0,1,2

I could stand to be a little more sensitive to subtleties in my environment... .sometimes I think I am oblivious.

[Waifed]

64

[Mutt]

51

I answered 5 to I have a rich, complex inner life, in the context that I'm introverted and very self aware.

I also answered 5 to I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.

I'm a level headed person and I'm not one that likes drama, I like peacefulness. Like many life was like a roller-coaster for several years and I want to maintain calmness; less chaotic day to day life.

[Zon]

117  

Did I add that right?  Well, there were a few sixes I thought could be sevens.  

I know I am sensitive.  While I can "handle" distractions, loud noises and too many things at once, I can get very frazzled.  I do not run for cover, but I do start messing up all that I am trying to get done.  I get very snappy too.  Loud noises are fine if part of something entertaining to me (i.e., action movies).  One time, I had a job with a subwoofer near me with speakers in the room playing techno music.  That was a very short job.  When I started, that music was not there.

I hate vacations unless it requires little to be done once there.

I store a LOT of anxiety and stress to counter those events.  I think I need to take some Tums thinking about it.  

P.S.  My wife hates that I startle so easily.  She takes it as an affront to her.

[Woolspinner2000]

103   I'm just a bit sensitive, I'd say. Lots of 6s on my list.

I always spot things in the outdoors on walks that no one else sees. Good eyes and ears! (Trying to stay positive about my sensitivity).

Woolspinner

[littlebirdcline]

125

Ding! Ding! Ding!  I guess I win the prize so far: 125!

I am a massive introvert who has learned to behave like an extrovert, so it does not surprise me at all.  This seems like a cruel twist of fate when your mother has BPD and lacks any real insight and sensitivity.  

[Stalwart]

66 and a bit surprised but happy with it.

I didn't think I was that sensitive, but I'm willing to hold up to the score.

Just out of respect to the question our relationship has really turned around into a far better, more harmonious and rewarding relationship together in the past two and half years than treading the flames of Dante's Inferno prior to that.

I guess it takes a certain amount of sensitivity to accomplish that, so I'm proud of my score now.  

[agoodperson]

83 and struggling

[HappyNihilist]

103 here.

My T told me early on that I was a highly sensitive person, and I've found Aron's book very helpful.

I don't see it as a bad or a good thing - it's just who I am. I really enjoy multitasking and juggling multiple projects; I'm not that bothered by change; I'm not very sensitive to pain; and violent movies are some of my favorite kinds. But I'm super-sensitive to external stimuli; moved by the arts; affected by others' moods; and deeply in need of alone time to recharge.

I am a massive introvert who has learned to behave like an extrovert

 Oh, I feel you so much on this.

[Pingo]

129

Oh good Lord! I got 129! No wonder I want to go live in the mountains away from everyone and everything!

This is not a fun way to live. Yes I am thankful to be so aware of my surroundings and appreciative of art and nature and music, finding beauty in the smallest of things, being conscientious... .But getting stressed by loud noises, being so easily startled, being aware of everyone else's moods... .it's horrible. I actually avoid scenarios where I might be overwhelmed. Was I always this way? Yes but not to this degree. Since my r/s with my uBPDexh I have been left a nervous wreck. I have been doing a lot of work to dampen the nerves and not be so stressed. Outside of therapy, I walk everyday, try to get out in nature, I've been doing yoga and even a little meditating. It's helping but at a snail's pace. I really have to push myself to be social and get out with other people. I could easily curl up and live the life of a hermit but I know it's not healthy and I want to be healthy!

[Painterly2014]

46

Maybe not being so sensitive is why I stayed in the BPD relationship until it almost did me in.  25 years in this marriage and I am a shell.   I am really struggling with all of it.  I have some ok days and many bad days between them.  I cant seem to shake the sadness and fear even though I couldn't have gone on any longer with his behavior. I had to get out.  Our house just sold last weekend that I am living in and I am moving across town to a new one in a few weeks.  Its really nice but I cant get excited about it. He is with my replacement enjoying himself while I am stressed out and used up.

[Blimblam]

I have a score of 108.

I am not surprised. While I do enjoy high stimuli environments at times like at a concert if I like the music I generally avoid such environments.  I would always jest I am allergic to modern society.

[Maternus]

97

[Sunfl0wer]

96

Lol,  carefully, cautiously joining group hug!  

I never did that test before now.  96

Many of the questions tend to target much of what I associate with my PTSD traits.  Having issues with sensory stimuli, scary movies, in tune to things etc.

What does it mean to be HSP

It means I am much talented at relating to people at my job.

I am also cautious and protective.

Sometimes I can be more emotional than is helpful for me to be.