Empaths are highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. Psychologists may use the term empath to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense.

Behavior is normally described as altruistic when it is motivated by a desire to benefit someone other than oneself for that person’s sake. The term is used as the contrary of “self-interested” or “selfish” or “egoistic”—words applied to behavior that is motivated solely by the desire to benefit oneself.

Anterior insular cortex is necessary for empathetic pain perception.

Empathy is learned behavior even though the capacity for it is inborn. The best way to think about empathy is an innate capacity that needs to be developed, and to see it as a detail in a larger picture.

People can show empathy to other species too. Imagine your beloved dog is dying. You try to keep her happy and comfortable for as long as possible, but a day comes when she is in too much pain to enjoy her life. You take her to the vet and have her put to sleep.

Why are empaths so susceptible to alcohol, drug, sex, food, gambling, shopping, and other addictions? Empaths can become overwhelmed and overstimulated due to their extreme sensitivity.

6 Tips to Help Protect Your Empath Energy

1. Set boundaries. Having healthy boundaries is important for all of us, but if you’re an empath it can be particularly useful.
2. Give journaling a go.
3. Start a mindfulness practice.
4. Try visualisation techniques.
5. Get back to nature regularly.
6. Plan for emotion overload.

Most empaths are introverted though some can also be extroverted. Introverted empaths, like me, have a minimal tolerance for socializing and small talk. They tend to be quieter at gatherings and prefer leaving early. Often they arrive in their own cars so they don’t feel trapped or dependent on others for a ride.

10 Secrets of Loving an Empath

1. Value regular alone time to decompress and meditate.
2. Discuss how much time you spend socializing.
3. Negotiate and make adjustments in physical space.
4. Focus on a single emotional issue and don’t repeat yourself!
5. Don’t take things personally, even when they are personal.
6. Use The Sandwich Technique: Make requests not demands.