The Highly Sensitive Brain : Research, Assessment, and Treatment of Sensory Processing Sensitivity

__The Highly Sensitive Brain__ is the first handbook to cover the science, measurement, and clinical discussion of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), a trait associated with enhanced responsivity, awareness, depth-of-processing and attunement to the environment and other individuals. Grounded in theoretical models of high sensitivity, this volume discusses the assessment of SPS in children and adults, as well as its health and social outcomes. This edition also synthesizes up-to-date research on the biological mechanisms associated with high sensitivity, such as its neural and genetic basis. It also discusses clinical issues related to SPS and seemingly-related disorders such as misophonia, a hyper-sensitivity to specific sounds. In addition, to practical assessment of SPS embedded throughout this volume is discussion of the biological basis of SPS, exploring why this trait exists and persists in humans and other species. __The Highly Sensitive Brain__ is a useful handbook and may be of special interest to clinicians, physicians, health-care workers, educators, and researchers. Cover THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE BRAIN Research, Assessment, and Treatment of Sensory Processing Sensitivity Copyright Contributors Introduction Acknowledgments 1 The basics of sensory processing sensitivity The science of sensory processing sensitivity The history of sensory processing sensitivity Why does variation in sensory processing sensitivity exist? Why is high sensitivity a minority? What are the advantages of high sensitivity? Is high sensitivity a disorder? What can we say about sensitivity now? References 2 Assessment of sensory processing sensitivity across the lifespan SPS in the context of the environmental sensitivity metaframework SPS and phenotypic markers of sensitivity Measures for the assessment of SPS in childhood and adolescence The Highly Sensitive Person—Parent-report scale The Highly Sensitive Child—Self-report scale The Highly Sensitive Child—Parent-report scale The Highly Sensitive Child Rating System Measures for the assessment of SPS in adulthood Dandelions, Tulips, and Orchids: A metaphor of individual differences in sensitivity Future directions References 3 Sensory processing sensitivity—For better or for worse? Theory, evidence, and societal implications SPS in the context of theories on environmental sensitivity Diathesis-stress theory Biological sensitivity to context theory Differential susceptibility theory Vantage sensitivity theory Sensory processing sensitivity theory A metaframework of environmental sensitivity Other considerations Implications for research on SPS Empirical evidence for SPS as a marker for environmental sensitivity Evidence favoring diathesis-stress Evidence favoring differential susceptibility and vantage sensitivity Other evidence for SPS as a marker of environmental sensitivity Conclusion Implications and future directions Conclusion References 4 Health and social outcomes in highly sensitive persons Theories of SPS Health and social outcomes in children and adolescents Depression and anxiety in highly sensitive children Continuity and discontinuity in social anxiety Moderators of social adjustment Parenting Peer relationships and adolescents Health and social outcomes in adults Physical health Mental health Neuroticism Anxiety and depression Personality disorders Creativity Life and work satisfaction Life satisfaction and happiness Work satisfaction among highly sensitive adults Social outcomes Relationships Communication Conclusion References 5 Etiology of sensory processing sensitivity: Neurobiology, genes, and evolution Evolutionary basis for sensory processing sensitivity Genes underlying SPS Epigenetics Serotonin Dopamine Other genes The neural basis of SPS Neurobiology of SPS: Evidence from human studies Neurobiology of SPS: Evidence from animal studies Peripheral sensitivities Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis Glucose metabolism and sensations Summary and future perspectives References 6 Clinical assessment of sensory processing sensitivity Assessment of highly sensitive persons A blend of approaches to assessment When other seemingly contradictory traits are present Taking into account differential susceptibility Working with HSPs When the therapist is not highly sensitive When both therapist and client are highly sensitive Five goals for these clients Gender, culture, ethnicity Typical issues working HSP issues in a clinical context Overstimulation Emotional regulation Sensitivity to criticism Personal relationships, career, and the workplace Research on relationships Adjusting to those who are not as sensitive Getting off to the right start Conclusion References 7 Clinical characteristics of misophonia and its relation to sensory processing sensitivity: A critical analysis Basic conceptualization of misophonia Defining the boundaries of misophonia Assessment of misophonia Emotional reactions associated with misophonia—Disgust and anger Association of misophonia with other disorders Sensory processing sensitivity and misophonia Interventions and treatment of misophonia Conclusions and future directions Couching misophonia in fundable terms Getting the word out References 8 The future of sensory processing sensitivity on planet Earth and beyond The future of sensory processing sensitivity beyond planet Earth The challenges of space travel for SPS The benefits of SPS for space travel References APPENDIX. Misophonia severity index Symptom checklist Index A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W Back Cover The Highly Sensitive Brain is the first handbook to cover the science, measurement, and clinical discussion of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS), a trait associated with enhanced responsivity, awareness, depth-of-processing and attunement to the environment and other individuals. Grounded in theoretical models of high sensitivity, this volume discusses the assessment of SPS in children and adults, as well as its health and social outcomes. This edition also synthesizes up-to-date research on the biological mechanisms associated with high sensitivity, such as its neural and genetic basis. It also discusses clinical issues related to SPS and seemingly-related disorders such as misophonia, a hyper-sensitivity to specific sounds. In addition, to practical assessment of SPS embedded throughout this volume is discussion of the biological basis of SPS, exploring why this trait exists and persists in humansand other species. The Highly Sensitive Brain is a useful handbook and may be of special interest to clinicians, physicians, health-care workers, educators, and researchers. Presents a neurobiological perspective of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) Provides assessment criteria and measurement tools for highly sensitive children and adults Discusses the health and social outcomes of being highly sensitive in children and adults Examines clinical issues related to high sensitivity Offers practical applications and a future vision for integrating high sensitivity in our society