Who Has Anomalous Experiences Today? Evidence for the Highly Sensitive Person Paradox

Abstract

Anomalous experiences are often viewed as red flags for psychosis—yet many individuals who report them show no signs of clinical disorder. This study reveals a paradox: traits associated with the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) do not increase Anomalous Perceived Phenomena (APP). Instead, when considered within the Psychosis Continuum Model (PCM), sensitivity appears to act as a suppressor. Drawing on data from 1215 adults, we tested the Integrated Temperamental-Sensitivity Theory of Anomalous Experience (ITSTAE), a multifactorial model integrating temperament, HSP traits, and PCM dynamics. As expected, psychotic traits predicted higher APP scores. However, HSP traits only became predictive when moderated by PCM—and notably, the effect was negative. The more sensitive the individual, the fewer anomalous perceptions they reported under psychotic pressure. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) confirmed the model’s fit, with explained variance in APP rising from 47.1% to 61.4% when PCM mediation was included. Multitrait-Multimethod (MTMM) analyses further validated the conceptual independence of HSP and PCM. These findings challenge psychiatric reductionism and suggest a more nuanced, non-pathologizing lens on altered perception. Far from signaling fragility, heightened sensitivity may serve as a buffer—a cognitive shield—against psychosis-linked anomalous experiences. This model reframes sensitivity not as vulnerability, but as a form of psychological complexity.