The Power of Sensitivity

I could relate to many of the experiences the HSP's in this book talked about. How refreshing! It was an easy read and very informative. I truly believe that actual proof in your life through experience helps you discover there is a solution to feeling overwhelmed, for example. Along with sensitivities to bright light, noise, crowds, and a few I wasn't aware of. It most certainly is a strength when you make that decision. There will always be people close to us that may think it's silly and say "Stop being so sensitive!" We are all connected, but that doesn't mean we're all wired the same way. Even if you aren't an HSP, this book explains the people that are, and it might be impossible to see how it's not all in our heads, but maybe that's why you have been looking into it. If you have someone close to u struggling with similar high sensitivities, read it and pass it along😄

An interesting collection of personal stories of and by highly sensitive people that gives insight into how these people solves their very personal problems in a non-HSP dominated environment. The books furthermore provides many tips and help resources.

What a wonderful idea to gather stories from ordinary people around the world about how they face the challenges of being highly sensitive. While reading these stories I could see myself in them and know what I went through is not unique, I am not a freak and others go through the similar things. Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences, from not wanting to go to school as a child, to being called, "grandma" in college because you did not want to party all night (this is what they call my daughter too) and for those of you who chose to reduce your hours of work so that you could have more enjoyable personal time, instead of burning out, isolating yourselves and jeopardizing your health. I especially enjoyed reading the author's commentary after each story, I found his perspective very helpful. I would highly recommend this book for the insightful personal stories and the successful strategies people use being a HSP.

Found it boring and bordering on new age reading. I waded and skied through most of it. As a HSP I just didn't find it helpful or interesting. I don't feel I can recommend it.

This might be one of my new favorite books, both as a psychotherapist and as an individual. I found the HSP success stories in this book extremely valuable in so many ways. I loved the way the stories were presented in the book. After Dr. Zeff shares an HSP success story he adds his own thoughts and information about the story, which leads to some very helpful advice and wisdom. As a psychotherapist who specializes in working with HSP's I have recommended it to all my clients and think all HSP's should read it! Non-HSP's can also benefit a great deal by reading and learning more about this trait because it is very likely they have an HSP in their life. I think it is very validating and as an HSP myself I have found that one of the most valuable and life changing experiences is to learn about how this innate trait may affect us AND enhance us. It's quite astounding to know that 1/5th of the population have this often misunderstood trait. Reading this book was even more validating to see other people have the same challenges and learning about their ideas and strategies was very compelling and informative. You receive a message that normalizes your lived experience as an HSP when you read this book. There are so many wonderful ideas and strategies that have been used successfully by other HSP's and I learned a lot myself. I often found myself thinking.... "that's a great idea!" What I also love is that it points out the positive parts of being an HSP because it's so important to understand that this trait has some wonderful qualities about it too! Such as an example of a nurse who intuitively knew something was wrong with a patient and because of her strong intuition she actually was responsible for saving this patient's life! There are wonderful examples of people who learned about their trait and were no longer overwhelmed by circumstances because there was an understanding and sense of acceptance of the trait which led to an ability to create tools, rather than be in an overwhelmed state. Dr. Zeff does a wonderful job of explaining that once we understand our identity we can overcome things that are challenging. There are also some great tips from parents of HSP children too. I actually learned a lot about accommodations and other ideas that can be utilized for children and adults. Another message clear in the book is that once we learn to accept this trait we can find that other people in our lives can accept it too. Often times we can be stuck behind fear of asking for our needs to be met for fear of someone thinking something is "wrong" with us. Some of the stories demonstrate that other people felt those same fears, but learned that once they asked for some of their needs to be met they were surprised that those needs could be met and that reactions of others tended to be accepting rather than judgmental! Once our needs are met at home, in relationships, at school, or in the workplace we can live a better life. I think some of the best messages in this book are teaching acceptance, normalizing the experience, and learning techniques and strategies to live a better life as an HSP!

This book is a valuable resource for HSPs and non-HSPs alike! The book is arranged by topic with each chapter containing one or more original writings from HSPs around the world. Following each entry Dr. Zeff provides skilled and insightful narrative while often including valuable resources for further study. I especially enjoyed the short length of each section. For a high sensation-seeking HSP like myself I appreciate being able to move through it at my own pace, yet feel like I hadn't stopped in the middle of a story. One of the stories I was captivated by is in chapter thirteen and addresses noise and the highly sensitive person. I think many HSPs can relate to Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome, though not all of us have to go to the lengths described in the book to mask or reduce irritating or annoying sounds. Jacquelyn Strickland's section in chapter nineteen contains a wonderful synopsis of what she terms the "empowered HSP," which is followed up in chapter twenty-two by the story of a woman embodying just this mindset (I won't spoil it for you), but I was impressed by the change the writer was able to bring about in the attitudes of others. I was also interested by chapter twenty-four's addressing of highly sensitive men. Rick Belden's story was very poignant as he encountered issues with a men's group and, more importantly, how he chose to handle it. The tips for successfully managing life as an HSP make this book a real winner whether you are an HSP yourself or know someone who is. If you're new to realizing that you're an HSP this book will help you understand how to better manage your life. Overall this is an extremely valuable compendium of real experiences and Dr. Zeff's over 30 years of experience helping HSPs better understand and navigate what are often confusing real-life issues.

A book filled with very good stories. No in-depth information about HSP's. Nice read though.

I was intrigued by Ted Zeff’s newest book The Power of Sensitivity: Success Stories by Highly Sensitive People Thriving in a Non-sensitive world. The book is a collection of stories from numerous Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and parents of Highly Sensitive children about their lives, how they cope, the gifts and opportunities of HSP-hood. I thought it would be an interesting read to see inside the lives of some of those who may not be so eager to offer “Let me tell you about my day!” I did not realize how much I would learn—since I inhabit the life of HSP myself and consider myself an expert at surviving in the non-HSP world. I was pleasantly surprised. First of all, the book is about thriving in a non-HSP world. It contains stories of how HSPs met, managed and reworked or transcended certain stressors—travel, career, hospitals, friendship, noise, taking risks—all very common to HSPs. And it contains stories of HSPs loving and honoring their sensitive selves through diet, music, meditation, sleep and other healthy choices. This is not a how-to book. It is a book of shining examples of courage, ingenuity, listening to inner guidance, self-care. It is a book to inspire and provoke possibilities. In the forward, Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person, states she read it in one afternoon and was “utterly satisfied.” I chose to read it over a few weeks, savoring the stories and letting them filter into my awareness. Each of the 25 sections of the book has a different focus with a vast variety of experiences presented. This book is a valuable read for all HSPs. And it is valuable for the friends, family and colleagues of HSPs who will gain insight and understanding into the HSP portion of the world.

An interesting collection of personal stories of and by highly sensitive people that gives insight into how these people solves their very personal problems in a non-HSP dominated environment. The books furthermore provides many tips and help resources.

Basically can state the obvious but does give some good ideas on dealing with HSP issues. Satisfying to hear others peoples impressions of how they cope and succeed as a HSP.

Just excellent. I read it through mostly in one sitting and I felt more at peace about my sensitivity. This book is a great contribution to helping sensitive souls accept this innate trait. Thank you.

enjoy reading it

One of the best book for everyone who wants to have happy life and understand yourself and others