what does hsp stand for

HSP stands for "Highly Sensitive Person." It refers to individuals who have an increased or deeper sensitivity of the central nervous system to physical, emotional, or social stimuli, often described as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). This is a personality trait, not a disorder or disease, characterized by heightened awareness and stronger responses to both positive and negative stimuli in their environment. About 15-20% of the population are estimated to be HSPs, experiencing the world more intensely and sometimes feeling overwhelmed by stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, or emotional cues.