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

by Bianca P. Acevedo PhD (Editor)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780128182512
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	05/20/2020
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Bianca P. Acevedo is a research scientist at the University of California, Santa Barbara and lives in New York City where she engages in consulting work while writing. She has a B.A. in Psychology from NYU and a PhD in Social/Health Psychology from Stony Brook University. She has done extensive research on the neural basis of high sensitivity, attachment and romantic love, and mind-body interventions; and taught courses such as Positive Psychology, Social Neuroscience, and Close Relationships. Her book, “The Highly Sensitive Brain” was nominated for the 2021 PROSE Award, and she was the recipient of the 2012 International Women in Science Award. Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Table of Contents

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

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Complete reference focused on clinical assessment and scientific perspectives on Sensory Processing Sensitivity

Editorial Reviews

"This is a high-quality text regarding its description and summation of existing knowledge of SPS. The book does a thorough job of describing the biological basis of SPS, including genetic and epigenetic components. These objective measurements will likely help legitimize SPS as a normal variant of sensory processing. The addition of several scales for the assessment of SPS as well as the descriptions of clinical strengths and weaknesses of individuals are highly useful. The book could benefit from more visuals, perhaps to aid in the understanding of the complex science that it discusses in some chapters. The book also does not have any color and can feel pedantic at times. Lastly, the book's final chapter, which discusses how SPS individuals may be helpful with off-world space missions - while interesting - seems out of place with the content of the rest of the book. Ultimately, the strengths of the book outweigh its deficiencies. " —Doody

From the Publisher