In lay terms, being Empathic means being able to feel what another person is feeling, either emotionally, physically, or both (receiving emotional or sensory information through non-physical or "extra-sensory" means).
A true Empath can sense or experience the emotions and/or physical sensations of others, both in close proximity, and/or at a distance.
Advanced Empaths also sometimes have the ability to ‘draw out’ physical or emotional pain from another person and take it into their own body, with the intention of then releasing or expelling that pain and providing temporary or permanent relief for the subject.
An Empath is often highly aware of the health and state of mind of their loved ones, no mater how physically near or far away the individuals may be. It is not uncommon for an Empath to ‘freak out’ for no reason, only to discover later that a friend or family member went through some sort of trauma at that exact moment. This is particularly noticeable in twins or other Empaths who spend a great deal of time together, as they will often physically experience the same traumas as their loved ones.
A true Empath can sense or experience the emotions and/or physical sensations of others, both in close proximity, and/or at a distance.
Advanced Empaths also sometimes have the ability to ‘draw out’ physical or emotional pain from another person and take it into their own body, with the intention of then releasing or expelling that pain and providing temporary or permanent relief for the subject.
An Empath is often highly aware of the health and state of mind of their loved ones, no mater how physically near or far away the individuals may be. It is not uncommon for an Empath to ‘freak out’ for no reason, only to discover later that a friend or family member went through some sort of trauma at that exact moment. This is particularly noticeable in twins or other Empaths who spend a great deal of time together, as they will often physically experience the same traumas as their loved ones.
For example, one girl suddenly experienced a severe asthma attack and nearly died in the middle of a supermarket, only to find out later that her twin sister had accidentally inhaled battery acid and was being treated at a nearby hospital. The accident and the asthma attack happened almost simultaneously, in different parts of the city.
Similarly, many Empaths experience a constant barrage of unexplainable aches, pains, and mood swings, not realizing that they are experiencing the physical and emotional states of their friends and loved ones.
Sadly, many are misdiagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, bi-polar or other mood/personality disorders, schizophrenia, or even hypochondria.
For a detailed treatise on this subject, please read the article "Feeling a Little Empathic - A Survival guide for the Extraordinarily Sensitive" by David M. Burgess, available for free online, or for purchase in booklet form through CafePress.
Similarly, many Empaths experience a constant barrage of unexplainable aches, pains, and mood swings, not realizing that they are experiencing the physical and emotional states of their friends and loved ones.
Sadly, many are misdiagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, bi-polar or other mood/personality disorders, schizophrenia, or even hypochondria.
For a detailed treatise on this subject, please read the article "Feeling a Little Empathic - A Survival guide for the Extraordinarily Sensitive" by David M. Burgess, available for free online, or for purchase in booklet form through CafePress.
by Catalyst1122 July 27, 2011
An empath is a person who is gifted in senceing other peoples emotion and is aloud to feel outher peoples pain to help cope and to help heal withothers emotional scares
girl: u just hit me in the face and i didn't feel a thing
dude: *taps girl on shoulder* u might not of but i sure did *rubs side of face*
dude: *taps girl on shoulder* u might not of but i sure did *rubs side of face*
by mobid weasle March 17, 2005
Someone with autism (or a related social disability) who believes themself to be able to read the emotions of others on a superhuman level. Ironically, self-described empaths typically develop emotional maturity much later than their peers. This causes them to perceive the basic human ability to pick up on social cues as extraordinary and unique. A perfect example of the Dunning-Kruger effect.
Random stranger in Walmart: "Take a fucking shower dude! You stink!"
Empath: "Hmm... this person appears to be annoyed for some reason."
Empath: "Hmm... this person appears to be annoyed for some reason."
by InternetPoopStalker January 18, 2022
Typically a person who is very empathetic and is capable of understanding someone elses feelings.
Other than that, there are some narcissistic butts that think they know more about your feelings than you do yourself, and label themselves as an Empath.
"You must be sad," examined Bill.
"Actually, I am not sad at all," Lucy explain.
"Yes, you are, you don't have to hide your emotions," Bill replied.
"I am not sad though," Lucy said, "I am actually doing pretty fine."
"It's okay Lucy, I am an empath, I know what you're experiencing," Bill said.
Lucy actually wasn't sad during this, of course Bill didn't seem to care because he thought he has some superpower to read one's mind.
Other than that, there are some narcissistic butts that think they know more about your feelings than you do yourself, and label themselves as an Empath.
"You must be sad," examined Bill.
"Actually, I am not sad at all," Lucy explain.
"Yes, you are, you don't have to hide your emotions," Bill replied.
"I am not sad though," Lucy said, "I am actually doing pretty fine."
"It's okay Lucy, I am an empath, I know what you're experiencing," Bill said.
Lucy actually wasn't sad during this, of course Bill didn't seem to care because he thought he has some superpower to read one's mind.
by Koyovi January 14, 2022
Pertaining to the quality of understanding and sharing another person's experiences and emotions without having experienced them oneself.
Even though Jake had never gone through such a situation himself, his empathive response to Maria's struggles made her feel truly understood and supported
by AbsoluteViking October 19, 2023
Self professed Empaths feel their intense(nearly always negative)awareness of other people,is a sign of their deep empathic sensitivity rather than a classic misanthropic response to others who one sees purely as objects to be used to provide ones own narcissistic supply of attention.
"I knew I was a total Empath by my inability to be around children,the elderly,the sick&the elderly,the disabled,the poor&needy."
by Lümpen Troll September 6, 2022
by SomeoneElseWhoCares October 17, 2020