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
Those who scored higher in cognitive empathy on the test had greater gray matter density in the midcingulate cortex, a part of the brain connecting the two hemispheres that processes social information and helps with decision-making.
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.
The Mirror Neuron System
These cells enable everyone to mirror emotions, to share another person's pain, fear, or joy. Because empaths are thought to have hyperresponsive mirror neurons, they deeply resonate with other people's feelings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Plenty of alone time (to center and recharge)
Peace is difficult to find when surrounded by other people, sounds, and various stimuli. So, empaths need regular alone time and mini-breaks throughout the day to refocus and recharge. It's not just about being alone — it's about self-preservation and self-care.
Childhood neglect or abuse can affect your sensitivity levels as an adult. 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.
Empaths tend to love hard and intensely, experiencing deep feelings of connection. They are fully in tune with their partners - reading not only what they say but also what they don't say - their body language, their silence and even their lies.
The narcissist has the opportunity to exploit the empath's need for love for their own fulfillment. In this sense, the narcissist is unlikely to consider their actions as problems. Until they are able to reflect on their own behaviors and feel their feelings, the narcissist will not change.
In the field of music psychology, a number of recent studies have suggested that empathy is related to intensity of emotional responses to music, listening style, and musical preferences — for example, empathic people are more likely to enjoy sad music.
People who scored high on empathy were found to prefer mellow music – such as R&B and soft rock, music that was low in energy and music that had emotional depth. By contrast, people who scored high on systemizing said they preferred intense music, such as punk and heavy metal.
Empaths might experience burnout or emotional exhaustion; they can also be hurt through the actions of others with less empathy. Learning to say no, setting healthy boundaries, and practicing self-care can help empaths recover.
“Empaths tend to excel in industries that provide a service to others—like hospitality, medical, teaching, and social work,” Enjolie says. “The jobs in these industries require an enhanced sense of intuition, sensitivity, and connection in order to effectively serve others.”
Heyoka empath
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. The Heyoka's unorthodox approach to life makes others question their own preconceived notions of what's right and wrong, real and fantasy.
Empaths are wonderfully adept at understanding people and keeping the peace, but the emotional toll on them can cause mental health concerns. Being an empath is not something you can control; it is something that you are born with.
An empath can fall in love with whoever they want to, but it may not work out if the person they fall for isn't able to express their feelings. In the case of empaths romantic relationships, they will be more compatible with someone who isn't afraid to show emotions and will allow others to as well.
Like the peace symbol, the empathy symbol features an exterior circle, but the symbol includes two lines resembling arms or branches reaching out that are joined by a line.
The concept is not recognised formally by the medical or mental health professions. However, the following indicators are suggested by those who promote the empath concept (1): Taking on the feelings of others. Feeling stress experienced in other people.
Empaths might experience burnout or emotional exhaustion; they can also be hurt through the actions of others with less empathy. Learning to say no, setting healthy boundaries, and practicing self-care can help empaths recover.
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.