to hate the term 'empath'

[Penny4UrThoughts]

In my experience it's usually used in one of two ways.

1. 'I'm so super awesome. I'm an empath. People just tell me all their secrets because they know I understand. I can just sense how you are feeling because I'm an empath and you know, it's ok. It will get better. I can feel it. That's just me, can't help but to help people. It's just who I am. There's not many of us about. I'm an empath, did I mention it?' Or

2)' life is so hard. I find it really difficult to make meaningful friendships because as soon as we meet they just tell me their life story and it's all so dramatic and I find it exhausting. I can't cope with all the drama other people choose to have in their lives. It's because I'm an empath and I'm sooo sensitive to everyone's emotions, but people can just sense it and want to tell me everything. It's so hard to be an empath'.

There are people in my life that could probably be describes as empaths, but they wouldn't choose to use the term. The people that I have come across that self-describe themselves as such invariably fall into one of those two groups.

The worst one was at a training programme. We were asked to describe ourselves and her opening was 'well, I'm an empath' and then she proceeded to be disruptive and ride roughshod over the friend that she came with when they were in the spotlight, like she couldn't handle someone else getting the attention.

Racism against betazoids?

What?

That word doesn't mean what you think it means.

empath
ˈɛmpaθ/Submit
noun
(chiefly in science fiction) a person with the paranormal ability to perceive the mental or emotional state of another individual.

I have absolutely no idea what you're on about

I work in supporting lots of very vulnerable clients who have often had multiple traumatic experiences in their lives and the number of staff members I have had to let go over the years who have described themselves as this is unbelievable, they invariably cause more trouble than they are worth as they refuse to be constrained by things such professional ethics and boundaries.

its like those twats who describe themselves as a "peoples person", they are usually the most irritating fuckers imaginable and folk avoid them like the plague

"Any man who must say I am the king is no true king"

The only empath I know of is Deana Troi.

There are others?

I have a friend who is "highly sensitive". I see where you're coming from

People person and empath = nosey fuckers.

abigcup i'm sure the dictionary definitive will catch up at some point, as the term is commonly used in certain circles to mean what I have posted about.

To everyone, you can find out if you too are an empath! www.empathtest.com

I've only heard the term used to describe the opposite of a narcissist (usually once they've realised the abuse they've been subjected to). Never heard anyone describe themselves as one though in a boasty sense!

I've thought of another one... Manuel de la Rocha.

allday, it doesn't surprise me to hear that. The 'empaths' that I have come across make it all about them, and the gifts that they can offer - rather than what is best for the person that needs support.

Having a minor rant because the empath test came up on my Facebook page and the comments are filled with 'ooh, I knew it!' etc

That empath test is fantastic...literally!

"You feel drained after being around certain people for too long"...Yes, normally because they are annoying me

"Your mood changes depending on who walks in the room?" Again yes...because it's someone who fucks me off!!

Apparently I'm a Unicorn princess something empath....my arse!!

It is good when people self identify as an empath though so you know to avoid them without having to go with the ballache of finding out what they are actually like.

I'm a Unicorn Goddess empath

do I win?

Huh? The two examples you gave are using the word in the same way (short for empathetic). I'm a bit confused though as I've never heard it shortened.

Your Super Serious Title is: The Planetary Healer Empath (New MN nickname alert)

I am an "out of control healer". Who knew?

If you want to score as well as me, because of course you do, all you need to do is be an antisocial grump who doesn't appreciate people's company and finds social interaction totally draining, but loves nature and spends all day every day at the beach.

Definitely racism against betazoids!

MissBax - yes, it's like two people both claiming to be a teacher, one person loves the job and has to tell everyone they are an empath while making out it makes them the best possible person, the other is saying that they are SOOO worn out by it and it makes life SOOO hard.

With teachers, there are lots of people in between those two states. With self-proclaimed empaths, there only seems to be those two states.

Hmmmm. I think there is something dodgy about that test. I am a Unicorn Goddess and an 'Out Of Control Healer' too. .

I used to work with someone who would describe herself as an empath. We worked with older people in support type jobs. She would say stupid stuff like, 'Oh. I just can't help myself. It's because I care, you see'. The rest of us would be . Until one day another colleague had enough and blew her stack telling 'Empath' to shut up or fuck off .

Ohhhh I see what you mean - I thought you meant it had two meanings. How odd! I always find it weird when people talk about their character in that sense though - "oh I'm such a good listener that I have people constantly turning to me for advice" or "people know how laid back I am so I've never had an issue with (insert bollocks here)"!

i'm sure the dictionary definitive will catch up at some point, as the term is commonly used in certain circles to mean what I have posted about

Um, no. Just because you have some dickish friends who use words wrongly does not mean the dictionary will catch up with your nonsense!