Are You a Highly Sensitive Person?

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Graphic news coverage is not psychologically neutral for all audiences.

Exposure to graphic content can overwhelm highly sensitive people or those who have experienced major trauma.

Hyperphantasic people may be at risk for dissociation or hyperarousal after exposure to explicit material.

Trauma histories can heighten susceptibility to retraumatization even from indirect exposure.

Recently, the internet has been awash with stories and commentary related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes, many of which are saturated with graphic and disturbing details. Some social media influencers appear to even be counting on Epstein-related content to increase their reach.

Not everyone should consume this kind of material, however. When engaging with the Epstein coverage in particular or with graphic news stories in general, some people may be at an increased risk for re-traumatization or vicarious trauma. These include:

1. Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)

High sensitivity is an innate trait. In biology, it is called sensory processing sensitivity. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to this personality (1). It is even found in animals, too, with some youngsters appearing shyer and more withdrawn than their peers.

A widely used scale to measure high sensitivity contains 27 diverse but interrelated items (2). An HSP may exhibit some of the following:

A rich and complex inner life

Being deeply moved by the arts and music

Becoming easily overwhelmed

Difficulty performing a task when being observed

Being easily startled

Heightened sensitivity to pain, caffeine, and hunger

Strong attunement to inner bodily........

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