Perhaps you have always had the ability to feel the emotions and physical symptoms of others as if they were your own. If this rings true in your life, you may be an “empath.” Only 1 to 2 percent of the population experience this type of sensitivity, having the ability to feel and absorb the emotions surrounding them.
In rare cases, being an empath may refer to intensely heightened perceptions. Roughly 1% to 2% of people can feel sensations on their skin while watching someone else be touched, a phenomenon linked to empathy and known as mirror-touch synesthesia.
Despite the great many people who refer to themselves as this type of person, in actuality, empaths make up a very small part of the population. In fact, according to a 2007 study on empathy, published in Nature Neuroscience, only 1 to 2 percent of the population consists of true empaths.
Heyoka empath
“Heyoka” means “sacred clown” or “spiritual fool” in the Lakota and Dakota Native American dialects. Heyoka empaths are said to be the rarest and most powerful variety, acting as a spiritual mirror to those around them to assist their growth.
What are Empaths? Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. Psychologists may use the term empath to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense.
1 Being an empath comes with a lot of positive traits. For one, Brown says, empaths are "highly intuitive and emotionally intelligent," so they can read the room, pick up on other people's energy, and be very aware of their own emotions, too. The catch? Taking on everyone's feelings can be a lot.
Emotional Empathy
"Thanks to mirror neurons, the same areas of the brain are activated when we see someone reacting emotionally as when we are emotionally aroused," Dr. Rutledge says. You also may just be more emotionally empathetic to the feelings of others, which can result in more crying.
The empath concept is controversial. Opinion is divided on whether empaths actually exist. There is also debate around some abilities associated with empaths. For instance, empaths are thought to have special skills in reading others, detecting lying, and healing.
Being an empath is not something you can control; it is something that you are born with. It is a wonderful gift to be so in tune with your and other people's emotions, but it can become difficult. You are not alone.
When empaths are exposed to early trauma or abuse their young nervous system may develop without healing making them hypervigilant. They can become exquisitely attuned to their environment to ward off threats and ensure they are safe or enter a state of hyperarousal.
If you're an empath, you are highly sensitive and supportive. People love to be around you because you have a nurturing nature. You're always available if someone needs help or advice. People trust empaths because they're very open and often good at empathic listening.
An empath is a particularly sensitive person, someone who is able to feel and experience exactly what others do. While empaths can make wonderful caring friends, in a romantic relationship they can often find it difficult because they tend to quickly become very intense.
Personality types ENFP, ENFJ, INFJ, and INFPs are natural empaths per the MBTI Personality types. Empaths are also called Idealists & Diplomats. Highly Sensitive People belong to these MBTI types. Intuitive Feelers or Empaths are only 20% of the population.
An curved arrow pointing right. Empaths and narcissists are often drawn to each other. This is because empaths have a lot of compassion and understanding to give, while narcissists thrive on someone worshipping them.
A portion of empaths I've treated have experienced early trauma such as emotional or physical abuse, or they were raised by alcoholic, depressed, or narcissistic parents. This could potentially wear down the usual healthy defenses that a child with nurturing parents develops.
Researchers have discovered a specialized group of brain cells that are responsible for compassion. These cells enable everyone to mirror emotions—to share another person's pain, fear, or joy. Because empaths are thought to have hyper-responsive mirror neurons, they deeply resonate with other people's feelings.
Empaths might also shy away from physical contact. They might be uncomfortable being in close proximity to people, especially those who express love through hugs and other forms of physical touch. This can become problematic in romantic relationships if the empath struggles to let their guard down and be intimate.
Fearing intimacy and getting closer.
Some empaths may avoid dating or romantic commitment because they fear being overwhelmed by a partner's energies and emotions.
As an empath in a tense moment, your heart rate may quicken even more than normal. Your anger may feel heightened, your sadness more intense. It's harder to control your own emotions because you have your emotions and your partner's emotions running through your body.
Additionally, because empaths are often highly attuned to the emotional states of others, they may be more prone to anxiety and stress-related disorders. Finally, empaths often struggle with managing their own emotions, particularly in situations where they are feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.
According to this data, the states with the most empathic citizens are Rhode Island, Montana, Vermont, Maine, Oregon, Illinois, North Carolina, Utah, and California.
I think it's good for all of us to make time for things that have no purpose other than to play, and empaths are no exception. Some of my favorite creative hobbies include writing poems, making scrapbooks, doing puzzles, learning piano, and playing video games.
Others, though, will thrive in an environment where they can help others and provide emotional support. Empaths have a connection to others' emotions and an ability to understand their experiences. They are great listeners and are often sought out for advice. These traits make them well-suited to be psychologists.