Intuitive empath is a person who has an unusual capacity for sensing and understanding the feelings of others. Could you be one?

Intuitive empaths know what others feel without needing to be told, and they have an unusually sharp sense for whether someone is being truthful or lying.

For this reason, many self-proclaimed intuitive empaths go into the healing professions. There’s a lot of reported evidence from psychologists for the existence of empaths, and it often seems to suggest that they are unhappier than others.

Empathy is present, in general, to a greater degree in women. A study from the journal of Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews stated that there are gender differences as regards empathic response from infancy.

It has been suggested that females are more empathic as a result of neurological adaptation to the traditional role of child-rearing, as it requires a sharper understanding of non-verbal expressions.

The traits of an intuitive empath:

1. You understand where other people are coming from

When empaths are in interactions with others, they’re able to understand how the other person feels and why they feel it. This makes them excellent listeners and great friends. However, being able to put themselves in other people’s shoes and feel as they feel can be extremely stressful. Apart from having to deal with the stress and difficulties which arise in their own lives, they take on other people’s suffering as their own.

2. You are oversensitive

If you are extremely sensitive or have been labelled as being too emotional, you may be an empath. Empaths seem to have the ability to experience emotions at a greater intensity than the rest of us. This can lead to increased joy and pleasure in life, but when they’re exposed to negative stimuli, it can cause extreme anxiety and distress.

It also means that they’re more prone to mood swings than others, as stimuli from the environment can change rapidly from positive to negative. Empaths are often very sensitive to noise and other disturbances, too.

3. You can’t stand witnessing the suffering of others

At one extreme of the empathy spectrum (the low end), there are people with disorders which cause anti-social and often violent, criminal behaviour. Empathic people are on the opposite end of the spectrum, not being able, in some cases, even to watch violent films. They also find things that many people laugh at, like the misfortunes of others, unbearable to witness.

4. You aren’t comfortable in large groups

Because of the intensity and diversity of stimuli in situations involving a large number of people, empaths tend to find being around big groups exhausting and anxiety-creating. It’s common for empaths to prefer being alone or with one or two people.

If they have to be in social situations involving large groups, it’s often necessary for them to withdraw early and take time alone to recharge their batteries.

5. You have physical symptoms after emotionally intense situations

Empaths often find that they experience physical symptoms in response to high-intensity situations. Headaches are common as well as fatigue. Empaths may also be more likely to respond to the anxiety they feel by abusing their own bodies with drugs and overeating.

Scientific basis for the existence of intuitive empaths

Empathy is something that nearly all human beings have, with the exception of people who have psychological disorders that prevent them from feeling empathy. Empathy is, therefore, something which is found in human beings on a spectrum –  from high-empathy responses to low-empathy responses.

Confirming the existence of empaths scientifically is difficult though. Human neuroimaging is not at a level of advancement which would allow us to confirm that there’s something different going on in these people’s brains.

Up till now, tests have had to, in most cases, consist of surveys and questionnaires about how subjects perceive their own responses. This kind of evidence is very difficult for the scientific community to accept as a solid basis.

Scientists do not currently accept the use of terms such as intuitive empath just as they don’t accept terms like ‘psychic’ or ESP (Extra-Sensory Perception). Scientific research currently divides empathy into the categories of ‘emotional empathy’ and ‘cognitive empathy’. Emotional empathy is the ability to respond emotionally to what another person is going through, and cognitive empathy is the ability to comprehend another person’s perspective or mental state.

Neuroscience, however, which has been dedicated to investigating empathy over the last decade or so, has found that there is a scientific explanation for how living creatures are able to empathise with others.

Neuroscientists have called this phenomenon mirror-touch synaesthesia, where mirror neurons are activated when one animal sees another animal perform a particular behaviour. It has been suggested that in the case of empaths, mirror neuron activity is particularly acute.

It has been proposed that, like in the case of people with a very low empathic response, childhood trauma may be present to a greater degree in empaths than in the majority of the population.

The ability to empathise with the unpleasant experiences of another person may come, to some extent, from having had similar experiences. However, having had similar experiences does not always mean that someone is able to empathise with others going through the same thing.

Do you think you might be an intuitive empath? Share your thoughts with us.


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This Post Has 62 Comments

  1. Kristine ParkGross

    Very interesting article. You can tell you’ve done your research. I’ve been called an Empath since childhood. I believe my father’s Native American heritage left his mind more open to unexplainable phenomena like how if a dog from our neighborhood (one I’ve never met or been associated with) would be lurking around our yard, so he’d come get me, bring me outside and without him saying a word I’d find the dog & gesture for it to come over. Sure enough, without the hesitation it showed my father, it would come to me and let me show it affection & after touching foreheads with it(something I’ve always done and still do with any animal I meet, well maybe not the really big ones,lol) but after that I’d seem to know exactly what it needed. Some I had to bring things to it’s owners attention like a limp, others just got out & lost. One time I believe an old basset hound was just longing for adventure because after putting it in the car to drive around hoping it would acknowledge it’s home in some way, we got out back at our house it barked at us & trotted off wagging it’s tail, lol. Great memories but true to his word my father wouldn’t pay for any school that didn’t have me dealing with animals, children, or those with special needs (I’ve always gotten along great with all of those. Sadly I didn’t listen and regret it to this day. I do however have a small but wonderful group of very close friends, don’t go out often & prefer the company of my cat& quiet more than anything else. If that makes me empathic, I’m ok with that.

  2. Eva Rami

    I believe I am an empath if not more because I often sense the danger before it happens even though I can’t define it or I know deep down that street or that person or that new house will be lots of trouble..
    It is good when good events happen but when it’s fear I know I will wait for bad news..It is a bless and a curse at the same time I think..
    Nice article…keep up the good work

  3. Julie

    I most definitely fall into this category and before reading this article often wondered if I was just feeling others pain and bad vibes to avoid my own troubles. But I don’t think that’s the case. I believe I’m more than empathic. Yes it does cause me anxiety and I need my own space. But the plus side is that i truly feel at home with nature and the natural world and see beauty in what most people just take for granted great article thanks for sharing

  4. Jae

    I didn’t know there is this thing call intuitive empath that would describe myself since I cannot remember when I started becoming like this. All that was mentioned above was real and true. I always have these experience. I though I was just introvert person not until I read about this article. True, people like “us” — being intuitive empaths are undergoing distress and frequent mood changes depends on the situation of the person we are interacting with. Especially I work as a nurse, and I noticed my colleagues feel different towards our patients. I don’t know if they care less or I just care more. Or they sympathize or I just empathize. Or they are too stressful to understand deeper the feelings of a patient. Or I just overfeel the feeling of a patient. I don’t know — but I am always exhausted everytime I over sense people. 😩

    1. Angel

      So happy I stumbled across this article! I too have had and still do have the experiences you have. Never knew there was a scientific name for it. The definition, explains so much. I too am a nurse and always wondered why a lot of the other nurses I’ve worked with didn’t feel the same way towards their patients that I did. Up until now I would think…am I just too sensitive, am I crazy? “They” say after a while you become desensitized to things at work but 20yrs later, I haven’t changed. Yes, of course you have to be a little numb to certain things but it’s almost a coping mechanism for me in order to carry out my tasks. Otherwise I wouldn’t have a career. Would just end up most times running out of a procedure room in tears. Lol anyway I digress.
      There are even times, every day, when something will just pop into my head. I know it’s not my thought and almost immediately afterward, whatever it was, would manifest.
      As far as taking on other people’s issues, feelings etc. My son just asked me the other day, how is it I’m happiest when I’m at home instead of out with friends but would not be considered a “loner” or a “nerd”? I’ve never been able to explain. The fact of it is, while I don’t mind being social(I enjoy it) there’s only so much I can take before feeling exhausted mentally. Being home, helps me to recharge(as stated in the article) and get centred again.
      So much more I can say but I think I’ve probably said more than enough. Lol
      Just wanted to say I can totally relate to your experiences with this and how you feel. Thanks for sharing! And thanks for reading me out! 🙂

  5. Jeffrey

    I have never understood how once you have felt pain you can inflict it upon another. I become physically ill when faced with the hurt of others. Causing deliberate harm to another whether emotional or physical for FUN is one of our cultures greatest deficits.

    1. Rebecca

      I become physically ill as well when I have to see others in pain.

  6. nightingle

    That’s really me.

  7. Gennifer cseak

    I’ve been like this my entire life. I am not sure if my native American Indian blood has something to do with why I’m this way. I feel things. Peoples emotions. If they mean me harm
    I freaked my aunt out. She was staying with me after my uncle had passed. I could feel she was truly upset over something. She tried to cover it up and act like nothing was wrong. I just asked her what was wrong she said nothing. I told her I could feel something was bothering her. She looked at me and said what do you mean by you can feel something is wrong. She is the only person I’ve told about my secret.

  8. Luigi Provencher

    I’m pretty sure that I’m an Empath, too but how do I find out for sure? Are there any tests that I can take online?

  9. Carol Herring

    I also am of Native American Indian ancestry. There have been many instances in my life when out of the blue, I just “knew” something when I had no actual way of knowing. As a child, I was often told that I was fey, the Irish version of intuitive, and sometimes told that I was a witch (not in a neg stove way). Often I have shared the feelings I had with others, and sometimes the response I get is one of fright. Your article fits me so perfectly, it could be a second skin. Thank you for clearing my mind.

  10. Tamara Reyna

    For a gazillion reasons I know that I am an intuitive empath. I could portray myself as phychic easily if I Wanted to.When I was dabbling in tarot cards I gave several people readings that shocked them how I knew what I did about them. After pondering this for awhile I came up with the theory that I had the ability to pick up on minutely subtle hints or tells that most people can not. Your list of symptoms fit me to a t. I wonder what good is it to be what I am. As a kid my whole family loved watching the 3 stooges and the road runner. I hated them as I found no humor in people hurting each other or the coyote always being smashed or falling down large cliffs. In hindsight I think this was my first indication of being an empath. I am terrible in group counciling as well as it being terrible for me. It feels like besides my issues I’m dealing with all of everybody else’s issue as well. I have on numerous occasions given spot on advise to people and, I would be a super psycoligist except for the fact of listening to others problems all day would be unbearable and would drive me mad and or I would wind up a suicide. At times I appear insensitive and as if I don’t care. However, it is the exact opposite. I realize now that in order to protect myself I can sometimes cause others to see me as insensitive. I have felt like an emotional vampire pack is sucking the life from me. I have distanced myself from people who were especially vampiric even though it was not on purpose. I am 55 and have many many stories of being the way I am and the effects of it and the incidents of it in my life. I see being this way a curse. We all need some some amount of empathy and intuition but, to the extent that I am living with these things It becomes torture. Hevey sigh…

    1. karen

      Wow,YES as I was skimming through some of the other comments I was thinking they have no idea , and many I don’t think are , Then I saw yours and all I can say is EXACTLY.. Being an Intuitve Empath has had its moments and has guided me in or out of certain situations and given me the ability to “read between the line” for say but more then not It has been a curse and it seems the older I get the stronger my “6th sense” “Intuition” “Ability to feel what someone is feeling or to “read them’ OR “hear their thoughts gets. Because I can relate to everyone and everything on some level most cant understand many think I am not who I am If that makes sense . when I was younger up to a few year ago I always wondered how I knew what I knew or knew what someone was thinking (not reading there mind just a knowing of what they were thinking) or how so often like very often I think of someone from long ago or recent friend, acquaintance whatever and soon after I would either see this person or hear from or something portraying to . I am so very observant and I can feel everything going on around me . Its hard to go out with friends at times and have real fun cause I am soaking up others emotions or feelings that it interferes with my own and sometimes I don’t know if my feelings are my own.(if that makes sense) people who know me ask me all the time how did you know that , or you were just talking about them , or I can feel when someone is thinking of me from far away , I have tested this by calling just to hear them say wow I was just thinking of you .. but that is why I called ,I have been called a witch , wicked, or told my intuition is wicked. I cant explain it but sometimes something’s I would rather not know..

      1. Joe

        Look what you can sense about just having something pop up in your head and then like magic that something just presents its self (person) . I have the same deal. All of this is me from being able to almost see thorugh people and see the truth in people. I can visually see this as well as feeling or knowing there intentions. Lots of big crowded places kill me I hate it or just avoid it, like or need to isolate myself to feel safe peaceful and reenergize . Music sounds not the words in the song but the actual tones flood me with energy recharge or motivate me. I am super connected with animals its like they know we understand them . I am just glad to know that what I have lived with my whole life is not just me being crazy it real and probably how I have lived this long. Not sure about you but I would say 8 -10 years ago it just hit me. A over all sense of hopelessness or dread for humanity. So much negative in this world , greed, people hurting people and I dont see us fixing this . I cant watch the news either way too negative like the majority of people dont see this or feed on the bad energy. I hope all of us can change, help each other in the end we are all one species Human.

    2. Charlene Nelson

      I can relate to what you said to a tee. i too am 56 and have learned to be less sensitive due to the effects of others on my sensitivity. I was involved with a man who had personality disorder. And it was through my research of narcissism I discovered the magnetic pull between an empath and a narcissist. I always knew I was different and very intuitive. I knew when one of my sons died. Had no concrete evidence I could just feel it. I was right. That happens a lot for me. As far as I know I do not have any Native american blood but I am without a doubt and intuitive empath. I am from today forward going to comes to terms with it and learn how to set boundaries, live a healthy life.

  11. Nifara

    I consider being an Intuitive Empath a gift once you have learned who you are acknowledged and accepted it as a gift.
    I now use my gift to help others, I learned to protect myself while in public and crowds, I use Nature, meditation and other ways to balance my life and myself.
    I am tired often and know when to re-energize myself, know when to say No! by not taking on more than I can bear or being overwhelmed.
    I listen to different types of music when dealing with different emotions that I sense.
    I had to find what soothes me to help keep me balance, I am obsessed with cleanliness do I choose being OCD with keeping things clean and organized within my home so I don’t focus on what is happening outside.
    Since realizing who I am, I have researched and became knowledgeable to maintain my sanity.
    Gone are the years of knowing what others are thinking before they spoke it, now I have control of what I want to hear and when.
    My home is created as my haven an sanctuary, so I limit the amount of time I spend outside and prepare before doing so.
    I am 59 years of age and knew I have been an Intuitive Empath for most of my life and ran from it, but once I acknowledge and accepted it my life has changed because I use it to help others.
    Thank you for the opportunity to speak this out because I have never told it to anyone, people just think I am strange and a loner.

    1. Brenda

      Art and music has always been my release, escape, joy and creative response to who I really am. I am 59 years young and finally I am in a self discovery stage of acceptance. I have been empathic my entire life. My daydreams or night dreams are more of movie that I have watched many times and what I see in these visions are the fruition of a future event. I easily recognize when a person is not being truthful. I feel vibrations like a current of electricity from people that zap my energy. I help people achieve thier needs or wants while neglecting myself. I have been counciled within self help groups, family and friends have intervened by what seems natural to me. I am too forgiving they say, over the top sensitive to the needs of others, too giving of myself. I commit myself to animals that need love. Children draw to me like magnets. One question though many people ask me., is What does Brenda want or need that will bring her happiness? I was asked that again yesterday by a biker that has been working on my house upgrades. (I know my truth as I am no longer a secret.) I felt my heart throbbing in my chest and I was sure he could hear it also. I wanted to cry but smiled, I needed to smile but teared. My boyfriend walked in just then and he said… baby girl are you good? I am always good I said. I finally answered the question. What does Brenda really want or need…. I desire trust, loyalty, laughter, grace, peaceful beauty, most of all I need a heart of gold to live inside all mankind. Love is a natural response and it is genuine., if only mankind would harvest it and give it freely.

  12. Sammy

    This is me… I can’t explain it but somehow I can understand others with a slight change in their groove. I often feel angry that others are so insensitive to me and every single interaction with anyone at any time is super important to me. I’m extremely sensitive and have had people often denigrate me for this quality. I have every trait you outline me above… I felt things about my nephew living in a different country was using drugs and struggling with mental health – I told his mother to go and see him urgently and that week every detail came out that he was having pscychotic episodes brought on by drugs and and incident. She still doesn’t know how I knew this and neither do I.
    I can sense souls around me too that are kind and people I loved very much.
    I feel like an alien sometimes because others say you’re so sensitive like I have a disease but I know I’m gifted.

  13. Sunflower Kimi Johnson

    I’ve been an Empath my entire life, I’m 54 years old. I’ve felt things, and had visions. I’ve told strangers not to do something or to go down a certain street. Many times being empathetic has drained my energy, causing me to become sick. Self healing through certain herbs and vegetables work. I’m back up and running. I believe that having a Native American bloodline, has helped me with being an Empath.

  14. janet

    I experience a lot of empathy. Sitting on my second story porch one day, I realized as people went by I could feel them hurrying, happy, worried. I could never be a nurse. Too much pain. Also, into touch with birds, animals, plants & trees.

  15. Ruth Langley

    I’m not sure what I am exactly. I know my daughter is an Empath, but I have had experiences I can’t explain I will give you an example, Years ago I was separated from my husband and I had 2 small children. I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular, cleaning in my living room and suddenly I had this overwhelming feeling and Knowing that my husband was nearby. I plopped down in a chair and had to catch my breath.Then hardly 10 seconds passed and I saw his truck coming around the curve and drove into my driveway. He was bringing presents to my kids. Now tell me what that was?

  16. Ky Davis

    I’m now 24 years old and I can’t remember I time when I was never highly intuitive and honestly overly empathic. As soon as I meet someone I can sense how they feel, sense what sort of being they are , I’m overly observant of micro emotions, and body language. I’ve always cared deeply for other people, ANIMALS (reptiles and amphibians too), places, etc. I can describe it physically as a buzzing or tingling throughout my body and depending on the intensity and waves I can decipher what the emotion or message is. I’m not introverted, but I’m not a serious extrovert either. I guess I can deal with large social gatherings in doses, but I can’t fake it if I’m not feeling it or if I become overwhelmed. Sometimes this ability itself overall, is overwhelming, and certainly tiresome. Absolutely agree with this great article, true to the tune.

  17. Karen

    The more I research/read on the subject the more I find explanation for my feelings and actions. I’ve always: felt I “knew” what people were thinking/feeling regardless of their words; asked often how I knew things and really couldn’t answer; needed time alone (preferably outside); felt uncomfortable in crowds, felt angry-sad-scared-uneasy-anxious with no clue why. So many people in my life said they just “didn’t understand” what my “problem” was. It is a comfort to know I’m not crazy and feel gifted and blessed to have an answer. My biggest regret is that it took so many years for me to realize it!

  18. Joe

    I have always just been able to sense the positive people from the negative people from our first exchange of words. I feel as if I can see the energy that is put off as well as what their eyes show me . I have also at times out of no where just thought about a person I havent talked to for a long time , then suddenly that exact person contacts me or I will physically see them in person. I also at times just have a strong feeling of dread or negative heavy energy feeling and instinctly know something bad is about to happen. I normally stop when I get this warning , observe and think of what it might be . Then go back the other way or quit doing what I was doing. Its true that going to groups or counciling with a lot of people around is misery . I hear see feel everything all the time I am always on and it does drain me , put me in bad spirits. I like being alone all by my self , I am always tired it seems. Now I know whats going on with me. This is a gift and I want to research how to better hone these skills to strengthen the ability . Like any thing the more you use it the stronger better and easier it will be to reconize all the things I take in . Yes and I know for a fact that music defentaly effects us in a serious way. It can pull you back up if your drained, fuel us up with motivation and happyness but be care full I find that listing to sad depressing music will pull you down in to the hole . And when I have music on the only thing I hear /feel the notes or music lyrics pretty much are blocked out for me its the feeling of the vibes or energy vibrations.

  19. Terry

    Hi I think I am an intuitive empath and have been my whole life. I first new I was different when I was four as I had an out of body experience one afternoon when my mom put on the couch for a nap. Since then I had excelled at anything I put my mind too. I can and could feel peoples feelings,emotions and depression. I took computer programming at 14 which was 1974. Also other electives like chess, junior drafting, art and percussion. I can feel the presents of ufo’s as well as other things. My mind is like a sponge. I absorb everything. The thing I hate the most is fear and panic when absorbed because it always takes me by surprise and is the hardest to shake afterward.

  20. Rosanne

    Yes I am an intuitive empath and have been a caregiver my entire life even as a child. I never grew up wanting to be a caregiver or anurse but somehow when I had to pick a major for college that was the one I chose. Worked as an RN, took care of my four children, their families, my extended family etc. Being an empath is exhausting and can be very anxiety producing and depressing. Feeling everyone’s pains and struggles makes me feel like I have to take on their pain to lessen it for them. I wish I could stop being an empath although I believe God created me this way. I have also had psychic ability since I was about 11 years old that I can remember. The first time I went to see a medium, she closed her eyes to start reading me and said “why do I feel you should be reading me?” That was how I knew she was a legitimate medium. Try explaining being psychic, an empath to regular people especially religious people who then think I am either crazy, a “witch” or worse. When a family member is ill I can’t begin to describe the level of anxiety it causes in me. I have do meditation, yoga, prayer, massages, hot baths to release some of this energy that I absorb around me.

  21. Tammy Blake

    I am so blown away right now. I have felt all of these things my whole life and for some reason I was “told” to go searching online today when I woke up tired again. I finally understand SOOOO MUCH more about myself than I did just hours ago. And I am so thankful for all of your posts! It will make everything so much easier to understand and cope with now.
    Thank you all and good luck to you.

  22. Catherine

    Yes! This has been me throughout my life…I’m overly sensitive and it cripples me with anxiety, I hate loud noises and feel really drained and awkward in large groups. All of these describe me, thank you for this ! 🙏❤️

  23. StevenNodlehs

    I came to terms with being a super-empath a number of years ago – mainly to cope with the pain the natural world is feeling because of the human race and its unnatural place on this planet.

    I no longer put myself in the human species – my only wish is for the collapse of mankind, the planet will heal and like a forest fire, we will be reborn, back in equilibrium again, free of the anthropocentric effects of man.

    Oh could you imagine the peace?!?

  24. michelle a schlund

    I believe I am an intuitive empath, introvert all of my life (54y.o.) which has always made me feel like an outsider, different. anxiety,depression, panic attacks, judgement from others, always told I am “too sensitive” or “too emotional”, yet they are more than happy to pour their hearts out to me, as a “free therapist” I always prefer to be alone , with my own thoughts than in a crowd- noise, and superficial chit chat, easily sends me running home to my “nest”

    1. Kelly Haze

      Can so relate

  25. Natalie Miller

    I am so glad I found this! I have always wondered why I can’t seem to get a normal amount of sleep and be well rested. People I barely know will come to me with super personal problems and I somehow feel like they just put all there emotions and anxiety on me and I just keep it. I’m I cry almost every night for almost absolutely no reason. The only reason I can think of is that I just need to so I can unload all of the emotions I have taken in trough out the day.
    This explains so much

  26. Tuey Roberts

    It’s hard for me to watch embarrassing, tense or confrontational situations. I’ll change the channel quickly if simple examples of these are shown on tv. Everyone else in school would run toward a fight at school, but if run the other way. Violence toward others, specifically their crying is absolutely terrifying. All this, and I’m a freakishly fantastic fighter. Finally, this world lacks the ability to love, and it makes me physically weak/sick. I’m not tolerant because I’m to feeble to be assertive, rather I celebrate others right to be themselves.

  27. Sue Hill

    Of late, I have been incessantly exhausted, but I didn’t put much thought that it could be due to my empathic nature. Many years ago I stopped watching/listening to and reading the news. It makes me a very ignorant person in regards to whats going on, but not knowing about the atrocities in the world helps keep me sane. The old phrase ” ignorance is bliss ” speaks to me so well. All my life, people would tell me that I’m too sensitive or I take things too personally. I could never understand why people think it is hysterical to watch slapstick comedy or video shows of others falling or otherwise getting hurt. When they laugh, I cringe. No wonder i have depression and anxiety that seems incurable by psychotropic medication. There is no cure for being an empath.

  28. Karen

    Wow! No wonder I’m called crazy weird not normal. I’m a mess.

  29. Yomi

    I was told I was an empath by my yoga instructor. I had never heard the term “empath” before. I quickly cam home and looked it up and was completely blown away.

  30. Iezzi

    Empaths, I highly recommend learning how to meditate and how to ground yourself. Learn shielding exercises to protect yourselves. Learn the differences between narcissists (male and female) and empaths and how to recognize them. Stay safe and protect yourselves.
    Peace.

  31. Anna

    This is me to a tee. All my life I thought these traits somehow labeled me as different, odd, over sensitive. anti-social and so on. Thank you for your detailed article!

  32. KJ

    I’m glad I found this site, feels like reading about myself! What professions could suit an empath?

  33. Bruce

    I was raised by an abusive narcissist who beat my Mother, my Brother and me. He stopped beating me when I was six because I stopped crying. Instead he concentrated on my Mom and Brother. I have been an empath for as long as I can remember, although I had not heard the term empath until about 20 years ago. As much as my Father lacks in compassion, I am supercharged with it. People have always confided in me die to my ability to make them more at ease in their grief, Dottie or other troubles. I’ve found that I have to limit my emotional interaction with others who overwhelm me emotionally. Although it’s great to be able to truly emphasize with others this is not always a gift. Keeping myself emotionally grounded requires a lot of time being just by myself and using distractions such as hobbies to help me cope.

  34. Kimberly

    Now I understand … the past 5years have been a huge evolution of finally understanding what I thought was “wrong” with me … as a child, everything made me “cry” … super sensitive … Move forward 50 years and it’s now making sense… I (either) “feel” things about a person …. or “know” things about a person without them saying a word … sometimes a person walks into a room and I will “bristle” (a shiver comes over me) … the energy is soo overpowering (negative) I have to walk away! I’ve gently learned to “pluck” out the negatives in my life (huge survival skill) and ONLY surround myself with positive energy (people) … it’s OK to give Empathically to positive people … but the negatives will suck you dry — learn the difference … I worked for a psychologist and clients would confess/share very tragic/abusive/sad details about their lives … once home, I would need to lay down, meditate “remove/purge” everything from my day before I could cook/care for my family … it was emotionally exhausting… I’ve learned how to achieve a better balance now by working from home and also by not making eye contact when I fell negative energy walk through the door … some people just refuse to help themselves (and like to point fingers at others in an effort to deflect attention from themselves) … … … when faced with an unavoidable crowd (weddings, reunions, large get togethers) I always need to “nap” to clear my mind and “refresh” before dealing with what may come my way, energy wise!!

  35. D.woods

    Excellent..

  36. Karen

    Thank you for this article I have been on a journey of trying to figure this out for years. Years ago, I was leaving for lunch with a co-worker when another said, “Be careful when you go with her. Strange things always happen.” I never thought about it until years later when my pastor was doing a sermon that I could feel in my bones. He was so emotional and in so much pain that I began crying and couldn’t stop. How could I know that? Why didn’t anyone else feel it? And yes, I always know when someone is not being truthful. Too many instances of just knowing and feeling that have been accurate. Complete strangers often tell me things and feel comfortable doing it. I have learned that if I am in a hurry to not make eye contact. My daughter and husband sometimes refuse to go shopping with me and my son (he is just like me). We both do our best to just go with it!

  37. Kael Weis

    I have been so sad and lost my whole life. I am finally starting to understand why. I found this article extremely helpful. I’ve suspected I might be an empath for a while, but now I am absolutely sure. The symptoms seem to get stronger every year. Thank you so much for this. Now I need to make hard life changes and do a lot of studying. Maybe if I can learn to control it or at least manage it better. I can finally find some peace and happiness

  38. Hunts S nooneson

    This helped I always knew my mom was but I’ve been self medicating since14 …this is all primordial in my opinion…thanks for these comments…

  39. Beverly Stone

    I was told by a person that sees from the “other side” that I was an Empath. I went to him out of curiosity and told him some of my experiences such as seeing events in my dreams, feeling other peoples, feeling drained a loner. very emotional, people tell me everything. This article validates what he told me. Thank you!

  40. Melissa Bozarth

    WOW…it has taken me I until now…going on 50 in May…to figure out WHY I WAS SO DIFFERENT MN..THANK YOU…AND GOD BLESS YOU…THIS HELPS IMMENSELY!

  41. Rachel

    I believe I am an intuitive empath but its not strong.

  42. Peggy

    I am a intuitive empath ! It took me a very long time to figure out and how to use my abilities

  43. Jadi Grace

    Yes without a doubt

  44. Ava

    I’ve been experiencing all of this and I feel I have to reach out to others and help them even if it is emotionally difficult. I need protection and guidance and healing so I can try to be better and help those around me I feel the calling to. What does it mean when we find someone that makes us feel like this? What does this all mean for me and that person? What do we do?

  45. Linda Cline

    I am definitely an Intuitive Empath! Only lately have I read about it. Until then I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I fit all of the criteria. Even as a child I felt extreme empathy for animals and people less fortunate. I am a retired RN after 43 years of working in hospitals. The last 23 years were spent working on acute psych inpatient floors. I feel I can read people and I’m a good listner. I’m always trying to help others even to the point of giving a little money to people I resonate with on the street. I married a disabled man. We fostered 23 children over ten years. We adopted one of them, a handicapped girl. Retired, we have fostered over 165 dogs for a mill dog rescue and Cocker rescue. I can’t stand to see anybody or thing suffer. I even feel sorry for plants! When there are forest fires I can’t watch then because I know animals are burning to death. I can’t watch war footage because I can’t stand to see the injured or refugees. I want to help everyone. The article was right, it hurts and is depressing. I’m on Antidepressants. In my life I just hope for peace, not happiness. I can’t control it and would love to be able to turn it off. I feel for all the abused animals “out there” because I know they are there. Sometimes I feel blessed to have this gift of empathy and sometimes I think it’s a curse.

  46. Joanne Clarke

    Yea i believe iam a intuitive Empath, I feel things about people alot, sense what’s going on around me, and I do know when someone is lieing to me, alot of things u said r true, but alot I didnt know about , it’s really amazing to learn more about it.

  47. Char

    I gotta do more research. I know that I am and I have to find a way to feel better. The things said make so much sense. I think the more I research the more things I can find to combat the side effects 😩.

  48. Skeptic bug

    I don’t know whether I fall under this group. But I do know that too much concern for loved ones makes you intuitive to certain extend. I become unhappy or depressed if things goes wrong in my dear ones life. I can give the best solutions in their life, can figure out their issues but totally helpless when it comes my life. Emotional imbalance, mood shifts occur very often. Get easily addicted to whatever is a quick fix for my mood. Negative thoughts makes me sick mentally and physically. I’m in need of help. For me it’s not a super power, feels like a self destructing state of flow.

    Side effects I felt:

    – Overthinking
    – Judgemental
    – No hope
    – Pessimism
    – Dilemma
    – Unable to stick in a regular job
    – Being stoic, lathargic

    I don’t like celebrating this state since most of us become odd one out in social circles. We become lonely often.

    Afterthought, if you could help me with my problem, feel free to figure it out for me.

  49. Miss T

    While going through a difficult time I had a psychologist tell me I was an empath so I decided to look it up. This article explains a lot. I thought it was just being a good judge of character, like how my boss brings candidates for hire to me to “sniff them out”. He even calls me sniffer. I have always known I could “feel” things or sense dangerous places or people so I’ve had to come up with my own ways to block out certain things. I can’t watch the news or violent films because it is impossible for me to not put the face of someone I know on the victim. Anyway, cheers to all.

  50. pedro

    Are we all able to tap into other peoples frequency?
    This is the main trait of an Empath right?

    I can see and feel what they are going to say, before they say it. I can read yur mind.
    I can tell you about your relatioship, if its real or fake, if he loves you or if he’s using you. I can tell if
    somebody is pulling off an insurance scam or any of these things, and yet… I work at a grocery store

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