The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You

by Elaine N. Aron

until they reach a shutdown point called “transmarginal inhibition.”

Often we can get used to stimulation. But sometimes we think we have and aren’t being bothered, but suddenly feel exhausted and realize why: We have been putting up with something at a conscious level while it was actually wearing us down. Even a moderate and familiar stimulation, like a day at work, can cause an HSP to need quiet by evening. At that point, one more “small” stimulation can be the last straw.