Do you often feel overwhelmed by other people’s emotions? Can you easily put yourself in someone else’s shoes? If so, then you might be an Empath. Are you wondering, “What is an empath?”.
Find out what an empath is, the signs, and the types. Then, take the empath test to discover if you have the traits of an empath and how to prevent emotional exhaustion.
What Is an Empath?
Empaths are people who can deeply feel the emotions of others and experience them as if they were their own [1]. The term “empathy” comes from the Greek words “em” (“in”) and “pathos” (“passion, feeling, suffering”).
At the end of the 19th century, German philosopher Robert Vischer introduced the concept of Einfuhlung, which means “in-feeling” or “feeling into,” to describe how some people can emotionally experience a piece of art. An example of aesthetic empathy is when you see a tragic painting and feel deep sadness or when a sculpture amazes you with its vital energy.
In 1909, the American psychologist Edward Bradford Titchener adapted this term to the English language, calling it empathy. With the development of psychology, the concept went beyond the scope of art. It began to describe a person’s ability to understand the emotions of someone else, to feel their pain, joy, sadness, or fear on a deeper level [2].
Later, humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers discovered that empathy helps create a trusting relationship between the therapist and the patient [3].
Ready to assess your emotional intelligence and enhance your empathy? Take our Emotional Intelligence Test and discover how you can improve your emotional awareness and build stronger, more compassionate connections!
Types of Empaths
In psychology, there are five main types of empathy [4]:
- Emotional empathy is the ability to feel the same emotions as another person. For example, an emotional empath might cry when listening to someone’s sad story.
- Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand someone else’s feelings without necessarily sharing them. This is a more analytical approach widely used by mental health specialists.
- Compassionate empathy shows up through specific actions towards another person. This type of empathy involves not only understanding the feelings of another person but also desire to help.
- Physical empathy is a sensitivity to the physical suffering of others. A physical empath may occasionally even experience symptoms that aren’t their own.
- Intuitive empathy is an almost instinctive ability to tune into the emotional state of other people.
How Does Empathy Work in Our Brain?
The “superpower” of empaths is based on the work of mirror neurons. These brain cells are activated not only when a person performs an action but also when they witness the behaviors of others.
For example, when you see someone smiling or sad, your mirror neurons reproduce these feelings inside you. Thus, mirror neurons allow empaths to “experience” other people’s feelings as if they were their own.
Modern research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has revealed an amazing fact: when we observe other people’s emotions, it activates the same areas of our brain that are activated when we experience our own emotions [5].
Thus, social neuroscientist and psychologist Tania Singer and her team at the Max Planck Institute have clearly shown how our anterior cingulate cortex is activated when our partner is in pain. It is the area of the brain that is responsible for the emotional side of physical pain, allowing us not only to understand human emotions but also to literally “play” them out inside ourselves. That’s why we automatically squint or cringe when someone falls in front of us or hits themselves hard [6].
4 Signs You Might Be an Empath
According to studies conducted by social neuroscientist, psychologist, and world expert on empathy and compassion Tania Singer, the following signs associated with the perception of emotions, behavior, and reaction to the world around you indicate you might be an empath [1]:
1. Increased sensitivity to the emotions of others
Empathic people tend to not just sympathize–they literally may experience the pain of other people. A touching video, a tragic story, or even a sad look can cause a strong emotional response in them. As a result, they might be easily hurt or upset by other people’s suffering.
2. The ability to “read” people
Empaths tend to be highly attuned to other people’s emotions. They don’t simply notice sadness or anxiety but feel it like it’s happening in their own life, even if the person tries to hide it. Moreover, they may notice things that most people miss: tone of voice, the slightest changes in facial expression, or body language like gestures or posture.
3. Difficulty with personal boundaries
Because of their openness to other people’s feelings, empathetic personalities may have difficulty setting boundaries. The reason is empathetic people tend to let other people’s needs in so deeply that they sometimes can’t separate them from their own or are afraid to hurt others. This makes them vulnerable to toxic people and emotionally tense situations.
4. Need for solitude
After communicating with others, an empath may feel exhausted. This explains why resting after social activity is so important for them. Empaths may frequently need time alone to recharge their batteries.
The Pros and Cons of Being an Empath
Indeed, empathy is a positive trait in general. Here are a few key benefits of being an empath:
Pros
- They’re good listeners: Empaths tend to be supportive and caring, perceiving the emotions and experiences of others. Their ability to listen attentively can improve the quality and depth of their relationships with people.
- They’re compassionate: Empaths tend to have a high level of compassion, which allows them to sympathize with and support others during difficult times. They know how to be emotionally available and how to be a better friend, and their willingness to help can make them valuable team members and friends.
- They have increased self-awareness: Because empaths perceive the emotions of others, they are often more aware of their own feelings. This can help them better understand themselves, their needs, and thus become more emotionally mature.
Cons
At the same time, there are situations where empathic people have a much harder time than others. Disadvantages of empathy may include:
- They can be easily emotionally overloaded: One of the main disadvantages of empathy is that naturally sensitive empaths can carry the “emotional burden” of others, which can lead to exhaustion or emotional burnout. Constantly experiencing negative emotions from other people can lead to fatigue and stress [7].
- They may have difficulties with setting personal boundaries: Empaths can have difficulty establishing healthy boundaries between their own emotions and those of others, which can lead to them taking responsibility for the emotional well-being of others. This, in turn, can lead to feelings of overload and devaluation of their own needs.
How to Protect Yourself as an Empath
Your empathy is a gift, but to feel safe and learn to put yourself first, you might practice the following self-care tips:
1. Establish boundaries
The first thing you need to do is set personal boundaries. Don’t be afraid to say “no” if you feel that you can’t help or listen at the moment. Remember that you don’t have to save everyone around you. Learn to choose where you are ready to invest your energy, as it’s a valuable resource.
2. Distinguish your own emotions from the emotions of other people
Highly empathetic people may delve so deeply into the feelings of others that they begin to confuse them with their own. In this case, ask yourself: “Is what I feel really mine?” If the answer is “no,” try to mentally let go of someone else’s pain.
3. Take time to recharge
After emotionally draining communication, give yourself time and space to recover. You may walk, go in for sports, practice mindfulness, or just have a calm evening doing your favorite activity to free yourself from accumulated emotions.
4. Ask for support
As an empathetic person, you may be used to being a support for others rather than asking for help or care. As a result, this pattern may turn out to be a vicious circle: the empath accepts the negativity of others, helps, and empathizes but cannot ask for help themselves. This imbalance, in turn, may lead to emotional exhaustion. Thus, don’t be afraid to bother your friends or family members with your feelings or thoughts–talk to someone you trust if necessary, or seek help from a mental health professional.
How to Strengthen and Embrace Your Empathic Abilities
If you are an empath, to become the best version of yourself, your main task is to learn to take care of yourself in the same way you take care of others. So remember that if you want to be a resource for other people, you may first fill yourself.
Emily Mendez, M.S., Ed.S explained how a person can strengthen and embrace their empathic abilities.
The first step in strengthening your empathetic abilities is to practice active listening. This allows you to better understand the emotions of others. To enhance active listening skills, listen to understand and then ask clarifying questions to be sure that you do understand what the person is saying. Specifically, ask what they are feeling. Then, acknowledge and validate the person’s emotions.
Test: How to Know If You’re an Empath
Select the option that most accurately describes you for each statement. After you finish, add up your responses to see the results.
- How do you feel in crowded spaces or social events?
A) I feel exhausted after being around many people.
B) I feel energized and enjoy social interaction. - How do you feel when someone shares their personal problems with you?
A) I feel affected and often take on their emotions.
B) I feel sympathy but can bounce back quickly. - How do you respond to emotional scenes in movies?
A) I cry or feel moved by the emotional moments.
B) I may get emotional but can quickly move on. - Do you find it difficult to set personal boundaries with people?
A) I tend to avoid conflict and feel responsible for other people’s feelings.
B) Sometimes, but I can usually set boundaries when needed. - How do you feel when people around you are happy?
A) I experience their joy and am inspired by it.
B) I enjoy their happiness but don’t necessarily feel it myself. - Can you tell how others are feeling, even if they don’t say anything?
A) Yes, I can sense people’s energy and moods.
B) Occasionally, but I depend more on spoken cues than my gut feeling.
Results:
- Mostly A’s: You are likely a highly sensitive person and empath. You are highly sensitive to the emotions and energy of others and often take on their feelings. It could be helpful, but there are times when you should emotionally distance yourself from situations that make you feel bad so that you do not drain your own emotions.
- Mostly B’s: You have empathetic traits but are not ready to dwell on people’s emotions, which is good. You’re likely to handle emotional situations with ease.
The Impact of Being an Empath on Emotional Well-Being
Empaths are open, flexible, and strive to understand others. However, their tendency to feel overwhelmed and emotionally fatigued can make it difficult for them to remain stable and effective in the long run in life. Therefore, it is important for an empath to learn to be aware of their boundaries and understand what situations or people can emotionally drain them to avoid or minimize such contacts.
We asked Emily Mendez, M.S., Ed.S., how being an empath can impact emotional well-being.
It can negatively impact emotional well-being if you let it. That’s because empaths tend to take on the emotions of others. This can be emotionally exhausting and draining. If you are struggling with this, consider seeing a therapist. They can help you develop better emotional boundaries.
Final Words
If you’re an empath, the Breeze app has got you covered, offering informative tests about relationships, personal growth, career, emotional intelligence, and much more. Here you can also find a mood tracker, relaxation games and personalized routines tailored to your specific goals, habits, and patterns. Start your self-discovery journey for a more mindful, fulfilling life.
Sources
- Singer T., Olga M. Klimecki. Empathy and compassion. September 2014.
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Empathy. June 2019.
- Lucy Yao; Rian Kabir. Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy). February 2023.
- Philip A. Powell, Jennifer Roberts. Situational determinants of cognitive, affective, and compassionate empathy in naturalistic digital interactions. March 2017.
- Moriguchi Y, Decety J, Ohnishi T, Maeda M, Mori T, Nemoto K, Matsuda H, Komaki G. Empathy and judging other’s pain: an fMRI study of alexithymia. September 2007.
- Singer T., Seymour B., O’Doherty J., Kaube H, Dolan RJ, Frith CD. Empathy for pain involves the affective but not sensory components of pain. February 2004.
- Stoewen D.L. Moving from compassion fatigue to compassion resilience Part 4: Signs and consequences of compassion fatigue. Can Vet J. November 2020.
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