Have you ever wondered why people become empaths? Do you think people are born empaths or develop these traits over time? In this blog, we will learn the difference between empaths and Highly Sensitive People (HSP’s), the factors that lead to their development and treatment approaches.

Is there a difference between an Empath and Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)?

Empaths have a heightened ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empaths are not just empathetic. They frequently absorb and internalize the emotions of those around them. They can feel the emotions of people and animals. Empaths are sensitive to non-verbal cues and energy shifts. This can make their connections with others very intense and powerful.

On the other hand, Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP's) are a broader category. It can occur in various ways like sensory experiences, emotions and the environment. While empaths are sensitive to emotions, HSPs have a wider range of sensitivities. They are more responsive to sensory input and having a deep emotional awareness. Examples of sensory input is sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing.

In the rest of the blog, we will use empath and HSP interchangeably even though there are differences.

How to Know If I Am an Empath?

Empathy is essential to human connection. Without empathy, it's hard to create healthy relationships. To determine if you are an empath or highly sensitive person, it's help to understand the types of empathy. Cognitive empathy involves understanding another person's perspective. Emotional empathy is the ability to share and feel the emotions of others. Empaths often have both types of empathy.

Characteristics of empaths go beyond just being sensitive. If you are an empath, you might absorb the energy of a room and feel emotionally tired after being with a lot of people. You also sense emotions of those around you, even when they don't say anything. Empaths can consider their increase in sensitivity can be both a gift and a challenge. Being an empath can lead to deep connections yet be draining.

The Big Debate: Nature vs. Nurture

There are different theories about being an empath. According to the nature argument, being an empath is part of your genetic makeup. That means you were born that way! There is a gene called OXTR Gene (Oxytocin Receptor gene) that is associated with empathy and love. Oxytocin is a hormone that increases your capacity to love and bond with others. Researchers have even seen differences in the brain. Brain regions associated with emotional processing have more activity in empaths than non-empaths.

The nurture argument suggests that environmental influences shape empaths and HSPS. These influences include childhood experiences, upbringing, and societal norms. It believes that experiences and exposure contribute to the development of empathy. With increased exposure to to diverse perspectives and cultures comes increased empathy. Family history also plays a role. There's some evidence that empaths often come from families where sensitivity and empathy are common.

Humans are complex. It's important to recognize the impact of both genetics and environment on empathy.

What Does Trauma Have To Do With Empaths?

As a result of childhood trauma, you might develop heightened empathy as a way to cope. Trauma can lead you to be hyperaware of emotions of others as a survival strategy. This happens a lot if you grew up in environments where expressing your emotions may be unsafe or shamed. Children who experience trauma can find it hard to regulate their own emotions. This leads them to become very attuned to the emotions of others so they can try to regulate. Connecting with and understanding the emotions of others can create a sense of safety and control. Empathy helps children get support and navigate a world that feels unpredictable and scary. Not everyone who experiences childhood trauma becomes an empath.

Trauma survivors often develop hypervigilance as apart of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Hypervigilance is a state of heightened alertness and awareness of their surroundings. This heightened awareness can also extend to emotional cues. This can make you more aware of the feelings and needs of those around you. Even though hyperviglance was developed out of the need to anticipate potential threats, it can contribute to the development of empathetic abilities. Empaths and HSP's may lack self-trust as a result of being shamed and bullied. They can develop a deep-seated belief that it’s unsafe to feel their feelings or their feelings are bad or wrong. 

Living as a HSP

Understanding yourself as an empath goes beyond recognizing the traits. It involves navigating the societal stigma and internal stigma associated with being "sensitive." You can address the stigma by increasing self-acceptance. You can also do practical strategies to protect your emotional well-being. Empaths may face challenges in managing their emotions and setting boundaries. Empaths can also struggle with emotional burnout.

If you’re a parent of an empath, there’s a lot you can do to help nurture this trait. Creating a supportive and emotionally expressive environment in your home is important. This sets the foundation for empathetic development. Encourage your children to understand and articulate their emotions. Teaching empathy through modeling and exposing them to diverse perspectives is very helpful. 

Highly Sensitive Person Treatment

• Journal: Journaling about your emotions and experiences is a great way to get your things out of your head. You can try free writing or using prompts!

• Setting Clear Boundaries: Setting boundaries is easier said than done. It is not just about saying no to things that are not good for your health. It is also saying yes to things that are good for you. Setting boundaries is about telling others what you needs and upholding those needs.

• Limit stimulation: It can be helpful to reduce the amount of noise, distractions, bright lights in your environment. This stimulation can builds up over time and cause sensory overwhelm. 

• Mindfulness: Use body scans, progressive muscle relaxation or breathing techniques to check into your body throughout the day. These mindfulness techniques will help you notice how you are feeling. Take time to care of your body, not just your mind. 

• Trauma treatments: In addition to at home strategies, empaths and HSPs can benefit from therapy. Although not all empaths have trauma, trauma or attachment therapies are effective treatments. Common counseling for empaths including somatic therapy including Somatic Experiencing, EMDR and DBT for PTSD. 

Therapy for Empaths in Detroit and Ann Arbor, MI

As an Empath or Highly Sensitive Person, it’s important to feel understood by your therapist. You spend so much of your time understanding and being attuned to others, it’s time for someone else to pay attention to your needs. At Embodied Wellness, PLLC, our empath therapists in Michigan are experts in helping you heal from childhood trauma, set boundaries and see the gifts of being an empath. To start highly sensitive person treatment, follow these easy steps.

1. Schedule a free therapy consultation through our website.

2. Get scheduled with an empath therapist

3. Start your healing journey!

Online Therapy Services We Offer in Detroit & Throughout Michigan

At Embodied Wellness, PLLC we offer many services for both adults and teenagers through online therapy in Michigan. We specialize in OCD therapy, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, trauma therapy, and PTSD treatment. Some of the other techniques we use include EMDR therapy, Internal Family Systems and somatic therapy. If you are ready to start getting the mental health support you deserve, reach out today!

About the Author: 

Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP is the founder of Embodied Wellness, PLLC, a group therapy practice providing online therapy in Michigan. She is passionate about expanding awareness of somatic therapy as way to treat and heal trauma. She incorporates other holistic treatments into her practice including EMDR and IFS.