What Is an Empath and How Do You Know If You Are One?

Their ability to discern what others are feeling goes beyond empathy, which is defined simply as the ability to understand the feelings of others. Instead, being an empath extends to actually taking those feelings on.

Science is divided on whether or not true empaths—people who can tap into and take on the emotions of those around them—actually exist, though plenty of people claim to have such abilities.

We know that researchers have discovered what they’ve dubbed “mirror neurons” in the brain, which may help us mirror the emotions of those we come in contact with.1 And it appears some people may have more mirror neurons than others, suggesting that empaths may exist.

Signs You Might Be an Empath

How can you tell if you might be an empath? Some of the common empath traits include:

Empathy

There’s no doubt some people are more prone to empathy than others. We’ve all known someone in our lives who was just gifted at reading our feelings, just as we’ve all known people who seem completely disconnected from the feelings of those around them.

Intuition

Empaths also tend to have a great sense of intuition. They trust their instincts and often go with their gut when making decisions. Because they are so attuned to how others are feeling, they may pick up on subtle information or cues that might help guide their decision-making.

Caring

People who describe themselves as empaths also tend to care greatly about others. They understand the needs, wishes, and fears that others face, so an empath may strive to make sure that other people have the things they need to feel safe, secure, and happy. Because of this, people may describe them as tender or warm-hearted. However, this tendency can sometimes make it challenging for empaths to set boundaries with others.

Sensitivity

Empaths are not just sensitive to emotions but tend to pick up on other aspects of the environment. This means they may be more aware of sights, sounds, smells, and other physical sensations that other people might not notice. As a result, an empath may be more bothered by certain scents or more easily distracted by noises in their surroundings."

Read the full available article on VeryWellMind