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.

Presents a neurobiological perspective of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS)Provides assessment criteria and measurement tools for highly sensitive children and adultsDiscusses the health and social outcomes of being highly sensitive in children and adultsExamines clinical issues related to high sensitivityOffers practical applications and a future vision for integrating high sensitivity in our society

1. The basics of sensory processing sensitivity
2. Assessment of sensory processing sensitivity across the lifespan
3. Sensory processing sensitivity—For better or for worse? Theory, evidence, and societal implications
4. Health and social outcomes in highly sensitive persons
5. Etiology of sensory processing sensitivity: Neurobiology, genes, and evolution
6. Clinical assessment of sensory processing sensitivity
7. Clinical characteristics of misophonia and its relation to sensory processing sensitivity: A critical analysis
8. The future of sensory processing sensitivity on planet
Earth and beyond