Empath

In psychology, empaths (/ˈɛmpæθ/; from Ancient Greek ἐμπάθ(εια) (empáth(eia)) 'passion') are people who have a higher than usual level of empathy, called hyperempathy.^[1] While objective empathy level testing is difficult, tests such as the EQ-8 have gained some acceptance as tests for being empathic.^[2][3] Highly sensitive person is also often synonymous,^[4] but is used to describe sensory processing sensitivity as well.

In parapsychology, the mechanism for being an empath is said to be psychic channeling; psychics and mediums say that they channel the emotional states and experiences of other living beings, or the spirits of dead people, in the form of "emotional resonance".

The term empath is sometimes used in a broader sense to describe someone who is more adept at understanding, i.e. is more sensitive to the feelings of others than the average person; or as a descriptor for someone who is higher on an empathetic "spectrum" of sorts.^[5] Seen this way, an empath is someone who can perceive, understand, or share the feelings of another person, without necessarily believing said feelings are being directly communicated to them through some as yet unknown "second sight" mechanism or telepathic channel.^[6]

The term's modern usage flows mostly from the work of American psychiatrist Judith Orloff. Orloff uses the term to describe people who have an innate ability to read the emotional state of others. She believes that empaths are able to sense the thoughts, feelings and energy of those around them, and that they are able to use this ability to provide healing or comfort to others, if they manage their condition correctly.^[7] Orloff's work is controversial, as she says that she is a clairvoyant (psychic);^[8][9] her definition and classification of types of empaths is neither recognized by mainstream psychiatry nor is it included in the DSM-5. For her part, Orloff believes her psychiatric colleagues to be "stuck in the Dark Ages".^[10]

Although empaths are often associated with the paranormal,^[11]: 62 the concept has been studied and researched by scientists. Neuroscientists have found evidence to suggest that some people have greater or lesser ability to share and feel the emotions of others.^[5][12][13] Mirror neurons are neurons that fire both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another. Interfering with the level of activation of mirror neurons via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been experimentally studied.^[14]

In psychology, a dark empath is a person capable of empathising, but uses their empathy to feign sympathy, flatter, and exploit others. Dark empaths are associated with dark triad traits such as Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy. These personality types like the ability to control others and utilize them for their own benefit.^[15]

The previous studies highlighted there are some typical characteristics in dark empaths. For instance,

• Revengeful actions like bullying, slander, or intimidation
• Using emotional blackmail techniques or exploiting others
• Physically violent towards others
• Extroverted characteristics.^[16]

Online, self-describing empaths are sometimes mocked for using the moniker. Shane Dawson was mocked for using the term to describe himself after a poorly-received apology YouTube video in 2018.^[17]

Empaths have also featured in various works of fiction, such as the Marvel Comics character Empath^[18] Forest Whitaker's character Dan Smithson in Species (film) (1995) and the Star Trek: The Next Generation character Deanna Troi.^[19]

• Artificial empathy
• Empathy-altruism
• Empathy gap
• Mirror-touch synesthesia
• Pathological altruism
• Superficial charm