Empowered by sensitivity? It sounds strange, doesn’t it? Sort of ironic, contradictory, even mutually exclusive.
How can you be empowered by something so soft, subtle and delicate, in a world full of hard, overpowering and loud people? Indeed, many of us Empaths get trampled, used, thrown around, and taken advantage of. But we have a secret.
Deep down inside, beyond the veil of our superficial appearances, we harbor something quiet, but powerful. Our gifts don’t dominate, tyrannize or overthrow people, but that doesn’t detract from their strength, or usefulness. If anything, our powerful but subtle gifts benefit us more in the long term, allowing us to gather emotional, psychological and physical information from our surroundings that is often inaccessible and undisclosed to the average, unreceptive mind.
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While we can’t bully, back-stab or use brute force, we can heal, guide, protect and deeply understand the lives of the people around us. In essence, we can gather immense amounts of knowledge. And knowledge, as they say, is power.
If you would like to discover whether you are an empath, take our empath test. Also, if you would like to discover what type of Empath you are, you will discover the 10 types at the end of this article.
Are You An Empath?
If you are an Empath, you will experience a combination of some or all of the following symptoms:
- You absorb other people’s emotions like a sponge, carrying them as your own.
- When someone close to you is physically ill, you can feel this as physical pains in your body.
- You often suffer from physical or mental fatigue and tiredness.
- You find Solitude immensely refreshing, and you require it to “recharge”.
- You often experience many mood swings or emotional states throughout the day.
- Witnessing violence or cruelty is unbearable to you.
- You are a very good listener.
- People often come to you with their problems.
- Animals and children are attracted to you.
- You are caring and nurturing by nature.
- You are hyper-aware of the physical environment, e.g. to smell, taste, sight, touch, hearing, etc.
- You can’t stand interpersonal conflict.
- Crowded places are very overwhelming and draining to you.
10 Types Of Empaths
While being an Empath can have its many positives and benefits, it can also weigh us down heavily with confusion, disorientation and anxiety. That is why it’s important to put a name to what we individually experience to better understand ourselves, and identify others who share the same abilities as us.
For this reason, I have included below a list, and small description, of each type of Empath. By understanding who you are, what gifts you possess and where you stand in life, you will be able to begin working with your soul. I elaborate on these types in our awakened empath book.
Claircognizant Empath
This is usually defined by the ability to simply know something needs to be done, or is true or misleading, without having any basis in logic or reason. Often this type of Empath will just “know” when something is right to do, or not, or when someone is lying or hiding something.
Emotionally Receptive Empath
Most Empaths are emotionally receptive, and can physically and emotionally feel the emotions from other people before they are even expressed.
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Physically Receptive Empath
Many Empaths are also physically receptive to other people’s illnesses and bodily pains. This often manifests itself in the Empath’s own body, and can be an especially useful skill in healing.
Fauna Empath
This type of Empath can hear, feel and interact with animals.
Flora Empath
This type of Empath can communicate with plants, being able to receive physical and emotional signals.
Geomantic Empath
The Geomantic Empath can read the energy and signals transmitted by the earth. Many are able to feel/predict natural disasters before they occur.
Medium Empath
This type of Empath can either see, hear, feel (or a combination of these elements) spirits, usually from deceased individuals.
Psychometric Empath
This manifests itself as the ability to receive information, energy and impressions from physical objects, e.g. photographs, clothing, jewelry, utensils, etc.
Precognitive Empath
This type of Empath can feel the occurrence of an event or situation before it actually happens. This is usually manifested in dreams, or as physical/emotional sensations, for instance: dread, anxiety, or excitement.
Telepathic Empath
The ability to accurately read a person’s unexpressed thoughts is the main defining feature of the Telepathic Empath.
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Free Test (Discover Which One You Are)
If you have trouble identifying which empathic gift you have, feel free to take our Empath Type Test
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Being an Empath can be difficult and confusing, but with awareness of your gifts and abilities, you can refine them and use them to guide, heal and protect yourself and the people you love.
My hopes are that the information within this article can continue to make ripples within your life. Please share with me any stories or experiences you have below. This will help all of us broaden our knowledge and understanding of what it is to be an Empath!
If you would like to keep reading about empaths, you’re welcome to click on one of our other empath articles below:
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This is a good article. My question about the 10 types of empathy. Im a claircognizant, emotionally, physically, and telepathic. Is this normal? I also wanted to know more about the healing thing.
Yes, it is normal for Empaths to share more than one gift.
I have just stumbled across this after doing some research and I’ve read all the different types of empath. Is it unusual to be more than one type? I feel like I relate to a number of them..precognative, psychometric, telepathic, fauna, physically receptive, emotionally receptive and claircognizant. I have felt things deeply my entire life and never right much of it but after reading this is like my world finally makes sense! Thank you so very much
Ahlinara, it’s not uncommon. Sensitivity to energy is not always exclusive to different people for Empaths, and can expand to animals, nature, places and objects. It all depends on what part of the sensitivity spectrum you are.
So I’ve got a question… I have a friend who’s an empath; I don’t know that she experiences exactly what other people experience, but negative moods make her feel sick or tired or upset. She also has an unusual number of supernatural experiences. On top of all this, she can never keep a charge on a watch or cel-phone battery; it’s like she absorbs the energy. Do you think that’s all related?
I’m not sure about her watch and celphone battery Ewynne, but she definitely shows signs of being an Empath … or at least, she might be HSP (a Highly Sensitive Person), which I have written about before here.
Hello,
I found your article after googling (I was desperate) about Empath traits. I have had anxiety my whole life. I’m 34 now and it gets worse and worse every year it seems. I was even certain something was wrong with me and went to doctor after doctor praying for am explanation. What I got was “it’s anxiety, you’re stressed”. I am a very highly sensitive woman, I feel deeply for people, death terrifies me and I seem to have a hard time moving past that. Then there’s things like this morning, I woke up very anxious, started to feed into my panic attack and my husband who has bad allergies took two allergy pills (ok don’t know this when I woke up) and he felt really woozy and sick. I didn’t know this and woke very anxious dizzy and sick to my stomach. I don’t know why this happens or how to shake it off me, it’s scary and I fight constantly with my fear and faith. I’m still not sure I believe this is what I am but some help would be appreciated. I have questions and don’t know where to find answers. If you’re able to help me understand a little better can you please reply back. Thank you!
Tiffany, sounds as though you are dealing with GAD – general anxiety disorder, like me. This often times springs from gifts such as Empathy, as well as being a HSP (highly sensitive person). Your existential anxiety (i.e. of death) may also contribute towards your general feelings of unease. I recommend that you find ways of working through this fear. E.g. I’ve found watching documentaries and reading books on the topic to really help expand my understanding and awareness of death. Also, many say that psychoactive substances such as Ayahuasca (used by Shamans, and taken by many people), LSD, Psilocybin mushrooms, Mescalin, etc. gives birth many mystical and life-changing experiences that completely removes ones fear of death due to an expanded understanding of the world.
I hope these suggestions help!
I just recently found out that I am an empathy. I can read people very well and can tell automatically what a person is like by their energy. I can feel negative energy. It makes me feel really sick like I need to back away from that person. The air around me feels thick and dark. Being able to read people and lloking into their eyes I can tell if they are lying to me or not. I love being alone. Going into public places is so frightening. When I am around someone who is toxic to me I feel physically and emotionally upset and am unbalanced for days at a time and become sick with throat infections and colds. Maybe it is because my immune system shuts down. Being an empathy for me is such a curse. I absolutely hate it. When I was 21 years old my mom got a referral for me to see a counsellor and the counsellor referred me to a psychiatrist and insisted I was “borderline” because of my rollercoaster emotions. I am subjected to medications that I don’t want to take. I can’t share this with anyone because people think I am “nuts”. I feel alone. Thank you for this website but I have to admit I still feel no relief. My only relief is being alone.
Dazedandconfused, I understand. I currently live with a person who has such heavy, stifling energy. Even talking to them for the space of 10 minutes sucks my energy away (more than usual people do), and that is hard to live with on a daily basis. The truth is, sometimes we fall into the habit of being the “victim” too much, letting hopelessness overtake us unnecessarily. As an Empath, I’ve found the following practices to not only be beneficial, but absolutely necessary:
– Meditation. 10 minutes every day, minimum. Meditation helps you to become an observer of your thoughts and feelings without identifying with them or causing pain. The process is slow, but worthy.
– Grounding. There are many ways to ground yourself which you might like to research to help yourself out. But the main objective is to root yourself in the present moment via sensations (e.g. focusing on your breath going in, going out – or carrying a small object that you can focus intently on in intense situations).
– Exercise. Whether typical Western forms such as running, boxing, etc. Or Asian forms such as Qigong, Tai Chi, or Yoga.
There are countless other technique and ways of clearing your emotions and centering yourself, but these three are the main ones that have personally helped me a lot. You are not helpless, and you are not a victim unless you allow yourself to be. You just need to learn, and persist with, other tools.
I hope this helps, and motivates you to go looking for other solutions.
Thank you! I do jog on the tread mill 5-6 times a week but someone mentioned to me that I should exercise outside.
I do agree with you 100% that I do allow myself to feel like I am a victim. I read that carrying or wearing blue kyanite or citrine is very helpful and hematite is also great in keeping me grounded.
I deeply appreciate the advice you gave me. I will be looking into other resources for myself. Thanks again Luna
You are most welcome dazedandconfused, it’s my pleasure to help. I do hope that the quality of your life is improved by your own efforts (this is immensely empowering!)
I can relate quite a bit with searching for answers and the borderline diagnosis as well. I do not want to go on medication and that’s how I stumbled here. The traits make me feel so crazy sometimes, the mood swings unbearable. I’ve asked several people how to create a bubble or shield around me sometimes when it’s not an advisable situation to take on others energy, like at a trade show. I’m looking for another line of work that can feel more in line with my life’s purpose and soul. I can relate to multiple types mentioned in the article as well and feel reassurance that I’m not alone. I very much resonate with crystals as well and find them so healing. Many around me think that’s crackers and too “new age”:so it’s refreshing to find somewhere that believes in these energies and is supportive. Thank you!
this information coming out, on us empaths in the mental health world is new. I feel a certain relief that it is finely being talked about. Credited as a helping and healing tool: instead of a mental condition or disease. Like you ..I have tried the medications they prescribe actually I was on antidepressants antianxiety for 11 years, I have been off meds for 11 months now, feel better, but way more intensely, bad and good emotions.. counselling I found helped more, but a counsellor that can relate, I have been an empath my whole life I know that now, my mom was too, I suspect 2 of my kids are too, at least now I have a name for it whew…understanding that I am like a human antenna for others joys and pain as well as my own, is a crazy responsibility lol still on my own journey trying to figure out what the empaths purpose is? and if its so great….why do we hurt so much and where and how to rid ourselves from the negative emotions and or physical pains from others and ourselves. Your Normal! for an empath….lol but so far they got us pegged at about 5 % of the population that is why we feel so alone ,,maybe..I am 48 and feel I have been dodging the nut houses most of my life..lol My mom who died when I was 12, went through electric shock therapy, every drug imaginable, she practically lived in an out of institutions, suicide attempt after suicide attempt, many of which I had walked in on etc,,,I did not want that to happen to me or my children, so I tried to find away to let this be a strength for me and hopefully the people I love ….it is a gift! don’t let others convince you that it is a curse, people say that stuff when “they” don’t understand. You have much to offer, accept and love yourself.
I recently had an overwhelming series of events that moved me to FINALLY face my fear of myself and look into it …. I’ve always been creeped out by myself , if that makes sense -I have completely tried to push away the emotions, intensity and visions – and borderline perceived interactions with the emotional piece of others – it’s all so damn hard to describe and I’ve always thought I was maybe crazy ? But no way I’m trying to channel it , to accept myself , and to perhaps even open myself to it where I have shut down in the past …. I feel even more intensely now that I am a mother – it’s pure torture … and it’s all the time now … art and music take me into a trace like state of sadness or bliss – I stare into my 2 young sons eyes and just feel the deepest most bittersweet emotion for them and am even seeing a bit into their futures – nothing specific like with a crystal ball – just a very vague and general pain and sadness for them – or as if I’m inside their hearts …. I need help from y’all as to what my next step should be … these forums are great but I want some coaching … some practices and methods to try … I’m drowning in this … I can’t go on so affected by everyone’s suffering… I’m worried I’ve become overly emotional at work and that I can’t shake it any more – and I’m a recruiter by profession- so factor THAT into all of this … I read into a handful of people every single day at their most vulnerable moment….
Hi luna! This is a really nice article and it really caught my attention. I read yr article about old soul as well and i could feel that i am one. Im not really sure if im an empath. But I feel really drenced and tired around people. Nobody understands me. I have a fear of speaking myself out not because of my social anxiety disorder. Yes, I was diagnosed with that. And since that everybody thought that I was sick, so that was the reason I always back out from events. So my friends and my family just leave it as an disorder. As a matter if fact, I could still do my presentation in my course really well. I even got an A for my presentation. That was when I spend time alone to recharge myself and I would forget everything that I am going through just to continue my life.It was not easy I must say. Its not something that I choose to forget, its something I have to because I didnt have any other choice. But when i dont, i feel drenched. My hands started to shiver. I couldnt think straight. Its as though my mind is blocked. I wouldnt remember how to walk properly and my file would keep droping from my hands. It was the worsts fear ever. My mates would laugh and ask ‘whats wrong with you?’. And it will only make it worst. If I dont, my teacher would call me the smartest girl in class and I belong to higher stream. Im really good at hiding it from her because I just know how. Strange isnt it? I gave my best to prove my parents I could be a nice independant person . But that causes them to think I have a split personality. So Luna, all of this confidence in front of people and able to speak aloud, does that still makes me a social phobic?
By the sounds of it you do deal with some social anxiety issues. What times/places/situations do you feel the most anxious in? Many social phobic people develop pretty solid social masks to hide the fact that they are struggling so much internally. I previously wrote about social anxiety and ways to sort it out, based on my own experience. You may like to check it out: https://lonerwolf.com/overcome-social-anxiety-disorder/
Hi Luna, I resonate very well with all the 10 types of empaths. As one of the other commenters comment that they often feel empty when their alone (me too). I like the refresh feeling I get after from being alone but at times I can feel really empty like nothing is inside of me when I’m alone. What can help me from feeling so empty? Another problem I have is not only I feel what’s going on with people inside of me but I also project that energy into the environment and people tend to be concern because nothing in my life matches to the wayvi feel at that moment
Nice site you have here :)
According to this article, I’m an Emotionally Receptive Empath :) My ex girlfriend told me; “you are very sensitive, you see EVERYTHING” But the thing is, I don’t “see” things, I just pick up the “vibes” some people send out. I sense immediately when people are sad, but I don’t consider that empathic, just aware of other people perhaps(?). Oh, and I’m an Old Soul as well :)
Thank you Canis! We just underwent a re-design yesterday, so I’m happy to hear that you like it!
Yes, perhaps you could also call it high receptivity – which is essentially what being an Empath is: being extremely receptive to the environment around you. Though the word “Empath” really does give it that extra flourish ;)
Thank you for reading!
Hello again! When I read your profile I wanted to email you and ask about what an empath was but as soon as I clicked spiritual,this article was at the top of the page.
I know I relate to every characteristic you have listed but somehow I always have some self doubt when it comes to labeling me as something. I have this fear of saying that I am an empath and then it not being true or that it is just me choosing and wanting to be one. I learn a lot from reading yet Im always looking for an answer, maybe from someone who truly knows me enough for me to believe them, like God.
When I was young, I loved animals and from elementary I loved babies and little kids. To me I feel like when I see a child I automatically love him/her as if they were my own child and Im sure they feel it.
I also always find my self exhausted especially when there’s stress between people I care about. I get angry easily at people who do what I know to be wrong and cry out for justice when people act certain ways. I dont like it when people are insensitive to the feelings of others, and I know when people want to take advantage of me yet I always seem to let it happen. In my mind,those people know what they do,they know the truth and what their intentions are but I know that as long as I keep doing the right thing, good things happen. I would not trade that result just to try and get something I want.
I definitely hate violence. Gory movies, war movies and fighting movies I definitely have to close my eyes. Its as if you can feel each punch, each stab. With sad movies you can feel their pain (thats how I distinguish good acting lol) feeling the emotions the actor is trying to get across.
Mistakes I make give me a bad feeling in my stomach, like fighting with others and I feel like I take longer to forgive myself than it would for a person to forgive me. I never forget because I know its always important to remember.
I also find that people are very predictable. I even sometimes test it by saying something just to hear someone say exactly what I expected them to say. It makes me tend to finish other peoples sentences or when giving friends advice I always relate whatever they are feeling with my own experiences or how I would handle it so that they are more open and know that there is no judgement. At work when I talk to colleagues they often say they talk to me because I comfort them and make them feel better which makes me feel good.
I just really want to be understood and understand myself because its hard feeling like everyone else is different. My mind is complicated. I apologize for such a long comment!
Please teach me how to refine gifts so I can teach my own mind to rest.
Beginning the road of self-discovery is always very difficult and confusing at first Jenny. It’s a path that can take years, even whole lifetimes to refine, so I am still learning a lot as well.
I can really identify with your feelings of not wanting to label yourself as anything too closely, and this sense of immense uncertainty I have about everything has continued for quite a few years.
I used to strongly identify as a Christian, and was very narrow-minded about my beliefs. But after going through an Awakening an coming through the other side much more wizened to life, I can see how fallible labels are deep down. After all, we are constantly changing and evolving beings, like anything on planet earth. When we box ourselves up into one category this can really detriment us. But on the other side, sometimes labels are necessary for us to develop self-understanding and self-acceptance. So it really depends on what level you are in life psychologically and spiritually.
So if you are still at that stage where you are trying to establish an identity, I would say, don’t stop yourself from identifying as an Empath, but hold it very loosely. Many people gain immense egotistical benefit from identifying with a certain type of people, and this can detriment them if they aren’t willing to be flexible. So this is important to keep in mind.
I hope this makes sense! Thank you for sharing! ^_^
Thank you so much for this article. I’m an empath and have discovered this a while now. I used to be a career counsellor for 14 years with various diverse people of varying ages, all coming with problems other than the original one which was to assist them getting back into employment.
The experiences of emotional pain used to be awful. I felt everything, and tried to safeguard myself from each client, but to do avail.
Then I also realised that physical pain used to also manifest itself.
Last year I made the decision to stop working with this clientele and career area and change things up.
Since then, I’ve ended a relationship and have decided not to pursue any more relationships as I find the super draining, just for me to end up with nothing but exhaustion.
I’ve stopped talking to many people who were quite close as I thought they were ‘leeching’ of my goodness.
I dream and pray everyday that something will change so that I can live life the way that I would love to live it, but currently this is impossible.
So, I just keep plodding along and hoping and praying and trying to understand and be open with my gift.
Thanx again.
Sounds as though you have made some significant life changes Miranda, and that can be a rocky time of life. I went through ones of these periods a couple of years ago, and it leaves you feeling lost and at times alone. The good news is that you are aware of your gifts, and you’re aware of why you feel and think the way you do. Self-Awareness is the essential element in any type of personal growth. The next step is to explore your options for dealing with your emotional and physical pain. Read online, read offline, research, ask questions, attend groups, look into alternative remedies, ancient techniques: there are many ways to ground and protect yourself from outer forces. You just have to actively look for them. I’m still searching and experimenting (personally, I’ve found self-hypnosis to be quite valuable and effective as an auditory person), and the journey can take years. But is ultimately worth it in the end.
So best wishes with your search, and with rebuilding a strong foundation for your life.
Luna
Luna I appreciate the way you follow the spirit in order to give great advice to us.
That means a lot to me, thank you Keosha for your kind words. :)
I love your blog. You have some vey insightful posts that explain a lot of what I have been wondering.
I’m most definitely a Claircognizant and Telepathic Empath. Even as a young girl I was able to read people and sense things. Being an empath I haven’t always listened to this though. I’ve been bullied and seen as a weak person that doesn’t say much or think much in which case I do actually think a lot and sense a lot. Not knowing what is was growing up at the time it was confusing as to why I was getting those senses. As I have matured, it has given me the ability understand it and to read people and situations where I know people have been lying and something is wrong. Some have actually wondered how I have known. I have never been able to explain it because I always have had this sense of just knowing.
I have an extremely strong intuition which at times causes anxiety when I sense something. I also have a strong sense of self awareness. I enjoy my own company and love solitude and find being around a lot of people is draining. Having my personal space is very important for me.
Thanks for a really great post. :-)
Charlie, all of these gifts seem to be two-edged swords in a way. While they offer us a lot of power and insight, they can also affect our lives negatively if not managed properly. But it’s hard to turn the “on and off” switch off when you don’t know where it is! Hopefully in the future there will be another article here listing the tried and tested techniques for creating better peace and wholeness in life while being an Empath.
Thank you for sharing!
Luna