[subtle lights]

There is a term "empath" and it's used for those who can sense other people emotions, sometimes without consciously knowing what's going on.
This is not used in mainstream science or psychology, at least not yet. Which of course means that it hasn't been "proven" yet/ hasn't really been studied or there are no means by which it could be scientifically understood...yet.

I've been told I'm an empath and even did an online training to learn how to deal with this, to stay grounded and not get lost in other people's emotions.
I'm very sensitive and my mood changes a lot when I'm around people.

However I'm still reluctant related to all this empath stuff. I mean there is something there, for sure, but I also think that very often when I feel an emotion when with someone, that can be also my reaction to them based on my own issues/ conditioning.

Like when I feel hopelessness sitting next to a person it might be that I associate his appearance with a story that evokes that feeling of hopelessness.

But in the same time, it happens the other way around, like when I was standing in line in the pharmacy and felt relaxed and was not in a hurry at all, then some older ladies arrived and I started feeling impatient, started thinking why does this take so long, and I saw that the old lady behind me was actually impatient.
Now I don't know if this was about feeling her emotions,but it seemed so. Or I noticed her reaction first and then became impatient?

But sometimes I think I'm just very reactive, everything evokes some strong emotional reaction in me. That's not others emotions, that's mine.

It's so hard to understand this.
Some people can just accept stuff and I used to but my mind wants to understand it deeper.

[Sunflower123]

Would you tell me more about that online course? I'd like to take it. I don't know if you've read any of my posts about this but I've been trying very hard to walk the fine line between staying grounded and having my moods shift in relation to other's feelings, and feeling other's emotions. I consider it a blessing and a curse. It causes me much pain. I don't know what to label it but I know what you are talking about. Thanks for posting this. Best wishes.

[Wild Coyote]

Dr. Judith Orloff is a psychiatrist specializing in teaching empaths how to have a better life. She has a site: www.drjudithorloff.com

I've learned a lot from her over the past few years.


WC

[subtle lights]

This one is the site I've found a lot of helpful articles and info:
Tools and Coaching to go from Highly Sensitive to Happy Sensitive

Still I don't understand all this and it's confusing and people seem like either to accept it or say it doesn't exist but there is no bridge between.
I'm frustrated with all this.

In psychology/ neuroscience or watever there are currently two mainstream explanations, one is emotional contagion and the other is the theory or mirror neurons. But both are about the perceiver watching or consciously registering something which then causes the person to have the same emotions as the perceived emotions.
But this doesn't explain when you are not consciously observing and still feel the emotion.
Why aren't there studies or something, because so many people experience it but apparently if you are trying to talk about it the "scientists" and mainstream psychologists think you are crazy or whatever.
I'm so tired of how this world works.
(sorry, rant over)

[Trippin2.0]

Yes I do, I've described myself as a semi permeable membrane on more than one occasion...

Been this way as far back as I can remember.

I even experience physical symptoms (mostly susceptible to pain) at times, my former T was helping me build emotional boundaries.

I'm better, but not quite there yet.

I absorb and I'm reactionary, so I try to be very self aware under certain circumstances.

[*Laurie*]

Yes, I am quite sure that it's possible to feel others' emotions.

[eyesclosed]

Yes I believe this to be true. Especially if you've experienced something someone else is going through. You have the ability to put yourself in the other persons shoes go back and experience what it felt like. This is called empathy. Everyone has this ability. Some people choose not too because they have been taught not too. You can even go as far as trying to understand what someone is going through but not experience it. Letting them know you are trying and if they open up there emotions then you can have a better sense and are able to be supportive. These are very important relationship skills. In our fast paced world most don't want to stop there agenda to try and have empathy. That's why there are so many failed relationships. You are a nice person.

[healingme4me]

I do think that there is something to be said for the Intuitive in the meyers briggs personality types where empath is concerned.

I've personally known two empaths in the past so I would say they do exist to some degree.

These two women had one thing in common: they could sense when I was closing myself off from them and when I was hiding my feelings or even trying to deceive them.

I find empaths intimidating because I often prefer to keep my feelings hidden from people unless I find them relevant to a specific situation, however, I can't keep myself closed off from an empath and that does scare me.

Then again, I am the polar opposite on the Meyer's Briggs personality types; an INTJ. Feelings don't come easy for me and I don't like talking about them to most people.