Empath? Part 1 Break Down

 

I'm old... let's just start off with that. All my education came from books. But I do like my technology!

Most of my reading is done online, it is my interactive 'TV'. I have been online since 1998 and gravitated to the spiritual circles in the early days. AngelFire, Yahoo Chat rooms and IRC. Those where the days...

Now we have Facebook where anything and everything can be found. I have noticed a blurred area of society where reality and entertainment collide. Lot's of things come out of that. Not sure what it is like out in the whole of the www, but with in the area of mystic and magic, it is pretty heavy.

One of the things in the blur zone is "empath". Lots of people claim to be an empath. Let's Google and see, 'what's an empath?'

From WebMD

While it's not an official psychological term, empaths are generally understood to be people who are extremely attuned to the feelings and emotions of others. The term stems from the word "empathy," which is the ability to understand another person from their point of view rather than your own -- in other words, to put yourself in their shoes. It's not quite the same as sympathy, which means you feel concern for someone who's going through a hard time.

People with high levels of empathy tend to have strong social, communication, and leadership skills. But empaths sometimes have a hard time setting boundaries between themselves and others.

The Website includes psychologist Judith Orloff's list for self assessment.

• People see you as oversensitive, introverted, or shy.
• You tend to internalize other people's feelings or physical symptoms.
• You often feel you don't fit in.
• Crowds make you feel drained.
• You often feel overwhelmed or anxious.
• You're overstimulated by smells, noise, and nonstop conversation.
• You're sensitive to chemicals and can't tolerate clothes that feel scratchy.
• Disagreements or shouting make you feel physically ill.
• You overeat because of stress.
• Intimate relationships can feel suffocating.
• Caffeine and medications affect you strongly.
• You dislike multitasking.
• You have a low pain threshold.
• You prefer rural areas or small towns to cities.

From LinkedIn Author A. Johnson

Here are 11 signs that you might be highly sensitive and/or an empath:

• You can sense other people's emotions easily.
• You're sensitive to coffee, alcohol, or other substances.
• You get anxious easily.
• You find crowded spaces overwhelming.
• You can't tolerate loud noises.
• You hate clutter.
• You don't like being rushed.

Now, I am glad she mentions 'Highly Sensitive'. But back to what is an Empath, need something from woogle... OK, that was hard. Scrolling trying to find something and there are all kinds of health sites, psychology sites, few university links.... I ended up adding the word 'goddess' to the search and I don't know why, it was the first thing that came to me.

From The Goddess Psyche

Not sure if you’re an empath? These common 7 signs will help clarify this question and provide an understanding of this complex gift.

She elaborates on each, but I am just going to list them, with the exception of the first on the list.

• You Take On Others Emotions As Your Own

"....Not only do you pick up on others’ emotions but you may actually feel them as if they are your own...."

• People Open Up To You
• You Are A Natural Healer
• You Cannot See Someone In Pain Without Wanting To Help
• You Are A Walking Lie Detector
• You Feel Overwhelmed With Unexplainable Emotions In Public
• You Deeply Care For Babies, Pets, And Animals

I would like to do a quick google of 'highly sensitive person'.

From Psychology Today

I suggest visiting and reading the whole article.

Highly Sensitive Person, or HSP, is a term coined by psychologist Elaine Aron. According to Aron’s theory, HSPs are a subset of the population who are high in a personality trait known as sensory-processing sensitivity, or SPS. Those with high levels of SPS display increased emotional sensitivity, stronger reactivity to both external and internal stimuli—pain, hunger, light, and noise—and a complex inner life.

From Health.com

1. Become easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input (e.g., bright lights and strong smells) 
2. Notice subtle changes in your environment
3. Feel other people's moods
4. Are sensitive to pain
5. Need alone time to recharge after a busy day
6. Find yourself daydreaming often and have a vivid imagination
7. Are deeply moved by art and music 
8. Often avoid violent movies or TV shows 
9. Get stressed out or overwhelmed while multitasking 

 I can relate to several things on those lists.

Deeply moved by art and music

Deeply care For Babies, Pets, And Animals

Prefer rural areas to cities

Often feel you don't fit in

Overwhelmed by strong sensory input/over stimulation

Issues with chemicals and scratchy cloths

Crowds make you feel drained/Crowded spaces are overwhelming

Can't tolerate loud noises

Daydreaming often and have a vivid imagination

People Open Up To You

Notice subtle changes in your environment

Need alone time to recharge after a busy day

... and I have grown out of others in the lists

People see you as oversensitive, introverted, or shy

Disagreements or shouting make you feel physically ill