I'm far too sensitive

Sounds as though someone has been doing too much research.

Do some research 😊

Narcissists are attracted to empaths, apparently, because it is easy to manipulate them.

I'm not convinced of that, either.

Calendargirl

Never heard of an ‘empath’ before reading this thread.

I thought it was a race of aliens from Star Trek.

MissAdventure

Have you read the thread about music that makes people teary?

I spent the last few days blubbing almost constantly as I read about other peoples mums, songs which I don't even like, and situations I've never been in.

Everyone who contributed to it seemed to be doing the exact same thing.

Maybe the thread attracted empaths, though?

😁👍

M0nica

I get your point Skylight, but in that case why are you misinterpreting what seem 'off' messages when they come from people close to you who you know and understand.

I am always very uncomfortable with the use of empathy. I wouldn't dare to say that I could know or understand how someone else is thinkingand feeling, how can I ? and I think those who think they can are dangerous. It is like the nonsense about 'walking in other people's shoes' You can't, they won't fit.

I can certainly have deep sympathy for someone's plight and do what I can to help them, but to claim that I know how they are feeling or thinking, no way.

In that case all the highly regarded psychologists who believe there are people who can be described as intuitive empaths are talking rubbish 🤔

Have you read the thread about music that makes people teary?

I spent the last few days blubbing almost constantly as I read about other peoples mums, songs which I don't even like, and situations I've never been in.

Everyone who contributed to it seemed to be doing the exact same thing.

Maybe the thread attracted empaths, though?

I get your point Skylight, but in that case why are you misinterpreting what seem 'off' messages when they come from people close to you who you know and understand.

I am always very uncomfortable with the use of empathy. I wouldn't dare to say that I could know or understand how someone else is thinkingand feeling, how can I ? and I think those who think they can are dangerous. It is like the nonsense about 'walking in other people's shoes' You can't, they won't fit.

I can certainly have deep sympathy for someone's plight and do what I can to help them, but to claim that I know how they are feeling or thinking, no way.

MissAdventure

I'm not keen on the word empath, any more than I am on the diagnosis of narcissist, about everyone who is selfish.

Being too sensitive, or anxious is nearer the mark, surely, for people who read imagined meanings into situations or conversations.

Regardless of the title, when people are prone to soaking up the emotions of others like a sponge and they recognise when others are upset more than the average person then it can become a problem. They aren't necessarily more caring although many are. People can be just as caring without being an empath, ie people who are just far more intuitive.

Don't write the wrong thing on a work email.

Excuse typos & wrong spelling, checking in quickly between work emails. I'm obviously distracted today 🤦‍♀️😂

I'm not keen on the word empath, any more than I am on the diagnosis of narcissist, about everyone who is selfish.

Being too sensitive, or anxious is nearer the mark, surely, for people who read imagined meanings into situations or conversations.

Oldfrill, sorry but it most certainly is caring because I worry about how they are feeling that day, especially if the coment is hurtful. I always know if it just because they're busy in a rush etc simply becsuse I know the people well and whats normal and whats not.

pandapatch

I think some of the replies are rather harsh.
The OP says
"If anyone can relate or help me to stop worrying so much about how others are feeling, especially family, I'd really appreciate it."

She is worrying that her family aren't OK. I sympathise as I do this if a message seems a bit different to usual.

But it usually turns out they were just busy trying to do 10 things at once - so that's what I tell myself is the case - but if you are a worrier it's not always easy

OP also said
"If I feel the tone is off or my reply has been dismissed with a throwaway comment or ignored it can leave me feeling really upset"

That's not caring about the other person.

SporeRB

I am on two Whatsapp group, one with my overseas siblings and another with my daughter.

The same thing happened to me. I wrote a number of long sentences and my daughter will reply with one very short sentence. My siblings rarely reply to my few postings except for my younger sister who often attached a heart emoji.

The best thing to do is not to read too much into social media messages.

As far as I know, an empath is a sensitive person who could pick up and absorb other people’s emotions (usually negative) which could affect that person the whole day.

Not sure whether I am an empath. Once at work, I asked my colleagues whether they thought there was something not quite right with our line manager. They all replied no but a few days later, he went off sick with stress.

Excellent post Spore, you've got it 😊

I am on two Whatsapp group, one with my overseas siblings and another with my daughter.

The same thing happened to me. I wrote a number of long sentences and my daughter will reply with one very short sentence. My siblings rarely reply to my few postings except for my younger sister who often attached a heart emoji.

The best thing to do is not to read too much into social media messages.

As far as I know, an empath is a sensitive person who could pick up and absorb other people’s emotions (usually negative) which could affect that person the whole day.

Not sure whether I am an empath. Once at work, I asked my colleagues whether they thought there was something not quite right with our line manager. They all replied no but a few days later, he went off sick with stress.

crazyH

Not heard of ‘empath’ ….but I’m definitely one of them. D.I.l. dropped something off yesterday but hardly said a word. She was in and out. She is a busy young mum, but I concluded that she was upset with me for something

Google empath. I can assure you it comes with its issues and FWIW its never about how we are being affected. A true empath understands this.

pandapatch

I think some of the replies are rather harsh.
The OP says
"If anyone can relate or help me to stop worrying so much about how others are feeling, especially family, I'd really appreciate it."

She is worrying that her family aren't OK. I sympathise as I do this if a message seems a bit different to usual.

But it usually turns out they were just busy trying to do 10 things at once - so that's what I tell myself is the case - but if you are a worrier it's not always easy

Thank you

Not heard of ‘empath’ ….but I’m definitely one of them. D.I.l. dropped something off yesterday but hardly said a word. She was in and out. She is a busy young mum, but I concluded that she was upset with me for something

I think some of the replies are rather harsh.
The OP says
"If anyone can relate or help me to stop worrying so much about how others are feeling, especially family, I'd really appreciate it."

She is worrying that her family aren't OK. I sympathise as I do this if a message seems a bit different to usual.

But it usually turns out they were just busy trying to do 10 things at once - so that's what I tell myself is the case - but if you are a worrier it's not always easy

I have a sister like that, she often thinks people are off with her or worries about someone else’s problems way after they have been sorted, she made every subject, comment or problem about her and how she feels, rather than walking on eggshells with her we now have a separate Whattsapp group which doesn’t include her.

Esmay

The downside of being an empath is the ability to pick up other people's moods very easily .
They can't always be sunny and positive .
I've been described as an empath - so I know how you feel .
It's not easy .
I try to avoid situations , which I know are going to upset me .
And when I sense negatively in family and friends I pray for them .

I often do the same 🙏

biglouis

Some people are in the business of "being offended". They probably have too much time on their hands and should get a hobby.

I'm never offended, only concerned

I am retired from my job and for what it's worth it was within a caring profession. It suited me perfectly. I still work from home part time in a less demanding occupation. I think I'm trying to get across my original post is only a fraction of the problem and often the people messaging do have known issues which can cause me concern for the rest of the day over & above what is necessary.

Some people are in the business of "being offended". They probably have too much time on their hands and should get a hobby.