"Empath" means "self-obsessed woo-accredited fool" ...

[SuziQuatrosFatNan]

... doesn't it?

Yes.

Why? I think empath is the person who understands and feels other's feeling and emotions better than normal people.

I have no idea but your description made me laugh!

No it doesn't mean that.

Yes. As well as a busy body with delusions of self importance.

You sound nice

Although in fairness a lot of people seem to identify themselves as that, even though they're clearly not.

I don’t think I’ve heard anyone use it

Empathy yes but describing themselves as an empath think I’ve missed it

Yes!

Yes - also Wanker

Some people are sensitive and pick up feelings of those around them, have empathy for others, don't think there is anything woo about it.

No.

Absolutely it does. And I think you're being rather polite. I'd add
'mawkishly sentimental, self-congratulatory about being unable to regulate their own emotions, and labouring under the delusion that being unable to deal with watching the news makes them a combination of Deanna Troi and Mother Teresa'.

It's kind of sad that people who feels empathy for others are called a fool, tbh.

@roguetomato

Why? I think empath is the person who understands and feels other's feeling and emotions better than normal people.

In this case they should feel and understand my feeling of irrational rage when they tell me they are an empath

Most people feel empathy for others dont they?

I think its specifically about people who describe themselves as 'an empath' rather than people who feel empathy, which is hopefully most of us.

I would describe my ds 7 as an empath. He really takes on the emotions of others. He would not describe himself as a empath! Does it not just mean sensitive to other feelings?

I know some people who describe themselves as empaths but are utterly self absorbed cunts without an empathetic bone in their body.

UANBU

Some people have called me an empath as I really 'feel' others emotions. Sometimes even a emoji on mn depending on context sets me off its annoying

I never have and never would call myself one though, both because of thinking like the op, and because I think to think of it as 'being human'

Those that describe themselves as Empaths - yep.

Someone who is one but doesn't know it/tell you - fine

I've said this before but honest people never seem to tell people that they are honest, kind or nice people never need to use these words about themself and the genuinely empathetic don't tend to announce this fact by calling themselves empaths. Never trust anyone who gives themself this sort of label as they're more likely to be the opposite.

@roguetomato

It's kind of sad that people who feels empathy for others are called a fool, tbh.

But we all feel empathy for other people. We don't band about a specific term to describe how special and unique we are for a normal human response to other people's feelings or experiences.

Especially as there's zero evidence that people who like to self-describe as an 'empath' are in fact any more empathic than the people who don't -- it's entirely self-appointed.

SnuggyBuggy totally agree. I had a boss who described herself as 'emotionally literate' She really wasn't.

I have known a few people who are not only have a lot of empathy for others but are also very very good at reading others emotions - they could tell when someone is upset but hiding it for instance when no-one else could. They were also tended to be good at knowing the best way to respond. It almost looked like a sixth sense from the outside but of course it wasnt really. I suppose those people would be "empaths" but I never heard them describe themselves as such.
The only person I know who did describe herself as an empath had the hide of a rhino when it came to detecting offence from others. So I think it is often a label used by those who lack self awareness...