Being an Empath

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

I recently came across this term and I didn't realize that there was a title for the way I had always known to felt.

 

Being an Empath is being able to feel the feelings of those around you, whether strangers or not and also being able to read people very well (intuitive).

 

All my life I have had overwhelming feelings and sensations surrounding other people. Like a vibe that would transmit through me when someone else was happy, sad, or angry. I could literally feel it and for no given reason.

 

When I watch a violent movie or read the news, it can sometimes be unbearable. I take others emotions as my own. I know when someone isn't being honest, or if they are saying one thing, but feeling another. I pick up other ailments off another (colds, body aches/pains) especially those I'm close too. I've always been sensitive to the underdog, anyone who is suffering or in pain. Most of all, people always offload their problems on me (even strangers).

 

If someone cries, I cry. If someone is angry, I can feel that anger inside me. If someone is having a bad day but pretending to be happy, I know how they really feel.

 

Do any of you get this way also? Sometimes it can be very overwhelming and stressful carrying others emotions with me. Is there any way to control it?

[carhill]

Do any of you get this way also? Sometimes it can be very overwhelming and stressful carrying others emotions with me. Is there any way to control it?

 

Being in public was debilitating. My word for it was 'noisy'. For myself, a combination of long-term immersion and therapy helped detach. One downside I've noted is the dead silence can seem 'lonely' but it isn't really. It's normal, just a difference from past emotional memories.

 

You might try googling 'hsp personality type' and see if any of that makes sense to you.

[AShogunNamedMarcus]

The way I keep it at bay, my daughter does this too, is by creating a wall of apathy.

 

You disconnect. Instead of absorbing, let everything bounce off you. It might feel like part of you is dead, but it's just a defense. Save your empathy for matters of importance to you.

 

Being an introverted HSP, I have way too much going on inside as it is. I cannot afford the toll that unregulated empathy would cost so I have to block it.

 

Edit: not sure why this is in the spirituality section

[Zahara]

The way I keep it at bay, my daughter does this too, is by creating a wall of apathy.

 

I wish I could do this. I can do it but for 3 seconds and then I am back to being affected.

[pureinheart]

I recently came across this term and I didn't realize that there was a title for the way I had always known to felt.

 

Being an Empath is being able to feel the feelings of those around you, whether strangers or not and also being able to read people very well (intuitive).

 

All my life I have had overwhelming feelings and sensations surrounding other people. Like a vibe that would transmit through me when someone else was happy, sad, or angry. I could literally feel it and for no given reason.

 

When I watch a violent movie or read the news, it can sometimes be unbearable. I take others emotions as my own. I know when someone isn't being honest, or if they are saying one thing, but feeling another. I pick up other ailments off another (colds, body aches/pains) especially those I'm close too. I've always been sensitive to the underdog, anyone who is suffering or in pain. Most of all, people always offload their problems on me (even strangers).

 

If someone cries, I cry. If someone is angry, I can feel that anger inside me. If someone is having a bad day but pretending to be happy, I know how they really feel.

 

Do any of you get this way also? Sometimes it can be very overwhelming and stressful carrying others emotions with me. Is there any way to control it?

 

Hey BYCS,

 

I deal with this too and IMO it's very easy to become detached, not wanting to "feel" anything, much like ASNM describes. It goes against my natural character to become detached so this causes a war from within per se making everything worse.

 

Not sure where you're at spiritually (apologies for not knowing your back story) or if you operate in the spiritual realm. I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so I guess you'd call me a Christian. I have to remember to give all of the stuff to Him as He bares all of our burdens.

 

Speaking on a spiritual level, I'm learning there is a reason for this. It keeps me sensitive and there are times that these "burdens" keep me in deep prayer. I would consider most of these feelings are what I will term "travails". With a travail one needs to pray it through until it lifts.

 

This is difficult and my heart goes out to you ((((((hugs))))))

[writergal]

Everyone is born with an intuition and with the ability to be empathic, I think. Some are more in-tune than others.

[Never Again]

I wish I could do this. I can do it but for 3 seconds and then I am back to being affected.

 

I can build a wall of apathy, but it becomes too all-encompassing and I risk blocking out far too much.

 

It's not all it's cracked up to be.

 

The choice becomes - block a majority of it out...or become heavily affected (and negative emotions tend to register a little more heavily than positive).

 

Edit: not sure why this is in the spirituality section

 

Cotton's is likely attributing this to the spiritual/supernatural capacity to pick up on the vibrations of others - hence the use of "empath" instead of "empathetic".

 

Regardless of the definition or belief on the matter, I have no doubt that the effects on her are very real.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

You read my mind Pfenixphire :-)

 

You always know what to say!!! <3

[letsplaygofish2]

I am an empath too, which makes it difficult to feel my own feelings and not every one's else. Now that the noise has settled down, I'm able to feel myself and work through my own breakup. But an empath isn't a bad thing, it's a blessing really. You can use your skill to help people through their darkness..

[Eggplant]

I am the same. I hate being overly affected by other people's moods. I also have low tolerance for TV violence.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

I am an empath too, which makes it difficult to feel my own feelings and not every one's else. Now that the noise has settled down, I'm able to feel myself and work through my own breakup. But an empath isn't a bad thing, it's a blessing really. You can use your skill to help people through their darkness..

 

What was weird was awhile ago when I was with my ex bf, we were watching TV on the couch and I was SOO angry and I had no idea why. I just was awfully mad at him for no reason. I wanted to go in my room and scream and rage. It was so weird. I kept asking myself why I would be mad at him like this when he did nothing wrong.

 

Well later, I found out that he had a horrible, awful day (he has a high stress job) and said he needed space to clear his head and went in his room. I then realized it was his pain and anger I felt. but I hated feeling that way because it felt like MY own pain/anger and I didn't know what to do with it.

[Khyla]

During sex, I can feel everything I do to him as if I'm doing it to myself. I orgasm giving BJs, etc. I feel like I'm the one with a steel shaft seeking release. That part of being an empath is amazing! The rest I have become calloused towards, because I can't relate. I feel I'm beyond a lot of the petty and self-pitious emotions ppl feel. I'd rather just try to send out positive energy than take on their negative ones, but sometimes it's exhausting, and I just close myself up to others. I have had a few unexplained dreams or exhibit a feeling of uneasiness for a day or 2, and later find out that someone I knew passed away during that time, or there was a major world disaster somewhere.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

During sex, I can feel everything I do to him as if I'm doing it to myself. I orgasm giving BJs, etc. I feel like I'm the one with a steel shaft seeking release. That part of being an empath is amazing! The rest I have become calloused towards, because I can't relate. I feel I'm beyond a lot of the petty and self-pitious emotions ppl feel. I'd rather just try to send out positive energy than take on their negative ones, but sometimes it's exhausting, and I just close myself up to others. I have had a few unexplained dreams or exhibit a feeling of uneasiness for a day or 2, and later find out that someone I knew passed away during that time, or there was a major world disaster somewhere.

 

How do you just shut it out? and I've never felt his orgasms lol!!

[letsplaygofish2]

First of all you need to fully ground yourself. Imagine tree roots growing out from your feet and planting deeply into the ground. You'll then imagine a white light around you. Furthermore, try to connect yourself with the Universe/God through a light cord from the top of your head to the Sky...

 

It requires consistency, so you'll have to do it every now and then. Good luck!

[Khyla]

first of all you need to fully ground yourself. Imagine tree roots growing out from your feet and planting deeply into the ground. You'll then imagine a white light around you. Furthermore, try to connect yourself with the universe/god through a light cord from the top of your head to the sky...

 

It requires consistency, so you'll have to do it every now and then. Good luck!

 

every day!