Empath or just emotional?

[Chris]

I think it is safe to say that we all know someone whom we would call "emotional". Even as empaths we probably know at least one person that fits that description. Are these people just misunderstood empaths? Or are we just "emotional" people as well? Is it impossible that the things we feel are coming from ourselves? Is that any less possible than these feelings coming from somewhere else? Many of you reading this will cite your own reasons for knowing that what you experience is that of the empath. But if even one "emotional" person could be said to not be an empath then we must consider the possibility that none of us are.

[EarthAngel]

Being an Empath doesn't mean that you're emotional. It means you can read and possibly feel other ppl's emotions.

Since this isn't a proven science, it's just something you have to take your own word for. If you don't believe there is such a thing as being an Empath then that's ok. For me, it was a life-changing discovery.

[Chris]

How do you know you are reading and/or feeling emotions from another person? Like I originally asked: is it impossible that what you feel is coming from inside you?

[EarthAngel]

honestly, the only reason i didn't answer that is bc it seemed like you were fishing for a debate. the purpose of this site is for support for those who believe they are an empath, not to debate whether there really is such a thing.

i'm reading some of your other posts to see where you're coming from. i'll talk about this all day long with those who support it but i have no interest in defending its existence.

i'll get back to you after i've read some more.

[Chris]

It seems like you are getting emotional.

and no, I'm not interested in a debate. I just want to see how people respond. Since you replied to the question without answering it I felt like I should see if you misunderstood the question. I hope you find what you are looking for in my previous forum posts, though I can't imagine how they bare any relevance to this particular discussion. But hey, if you would rather do that than discuss then be my guest.

Have a nice day :)

[EarthAngel]

i'm responding again only bc i said i would. this is it for me hun. i'm out.

[Eli]

I would say that at times, it is impossible. I've had experiences where I've been in a perfectly good mood and then I go and interact with one person and it literally feels like there has been stuff shoved at (and sometimes into) me. Although I can't be sure what it is exactly, it feels like emotions of some sort.

Not every emotional person is an empath and not every empath is emotional.

[Chris]

thanks for responding, veritas knight. I imagine that you echo the sentiments of many other members.

[Eli]

You're welcome. I'd like to take a moment to explain my last statement, though. I've known a lot of people who are emotional and who are not empathic (ie, my friend Linnea who is a fairly stereotypical girl in the fact that she'll cry over sad movies and stuff) and I've known some people who are empathic, but not emotional (at least outwardly). This is how I am and it takes quite a lot to get me to react in such a way that I am showing what I am feeling. In fact, I would wager that there are only a few people that I am comfortable enough around to show anything and everything about what I am feeling.

It's a question that people really just have to answer for themselves. If you're an empath, then there should be something inside of you that tells you and although you may need someone to bring that to your attention (I know that I did!), I believe it's something that you just know. And if you are an empath and you try denying that fact, it's not going to work very well.

-Eli

[peacedove]

Good one Chris I will say yes sometimes I wonder who`s stuff I am feeling but the more i work on being an Empath the easier it has been, I know when it is emotion for me and also know when it is from other people that I am picking up on....dont get my wrong still in a work in progress and I still get mixed up but not as bad you really do have to know what is within your self to understand what and who are around you...all this babbling make sense>??
Blessings and always enjoy your questions thank you
Irene

[Chris]

It makes sense to me, Irene :) You and Veritas Knight seem to be echoing each other. You say that you have an instinctual understanding of the source of the emotions you are feeling and that knowing yourself enhances that instinct. A really positive answer and one I was counting on.
Thanks for responding.

-Chris

[KojaK]

Ah, but at the same time, we must consider the possibility that everyone is an empath.

^.^

[Chris]

All or nothing, eh? But yes, I agree with you, Kojak. I have been leaning toward that very idea myself for some time now. I tend to think that we all possess the same empathic capabilities. Either that, or none of us do. As extreme as those ideas may sound I feel like the middle ground is just as radical. For me, it seems like the word "empath" is being buried under layer after layer of individual definitions. Without straying too far beyond the scope of this thread, let me finish by saying that I am beginning to wonder where "empath" begins and ends.