523: Are You an Empath or Highly Sensitive Person? Here's the Difference
リアクション
2026年08月13日
Episode Summary
Have you ever wondered if you are an empath, a highly sensitive person, or both?
I’m breaking down the difference between an empath and an HSP, which stands for highly sensitive person. I explain what empathy is, what makes someone an empath, and how empaths often absorb the emotions and energy of people, groups, and places. When we do not understand this about ourselves, it can lead to overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and the feeling that something is wrong with us when really, we are picking up on energy that may not even belong to us.
I also share common traits of empaths, including sensitivity to light, sound, crowds, other people’s emotions, nature, animals, and authenticity. Then, I explain how highly sensitive people are similar to empaths, but with one key difference: HSPs may sense and feel deeply, but they do not absorb other people’s emotions in the same way an empath does.
Key Takeaways
-Empathy is the ability to feel with another person, but being an empath takes this sensitivity to another level
-Empaths are deeply attuned to the energy and emotions of people, groups, and places
-Many empaths do not realize they are absorbing emotions that are not their own
-Unaware empaths may experience overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, or mood instability
-Empaths often feel deeply connected to nature and animals
-Crowds, noise, bright lights, television, news, and chaotic environments can feel overwhelming to an empath’s nervous system
-People are often naturally drawn to empaths and may share deeply personal things with them
-Empaths can often sense when someone is being inauthentic or hiding behind a mask
-Alone time, or “cave time,” helps empaths recharge
-Self-care, nature, grounding, boundaries, and micro moments of peace are essential for empaths
-Highly sensitive people and empaths share many traits, but HSPs do not absorb other people’s emotions in the same way
-You can be both an empath and a highly sensitive person
Empath vs. Highly Sensitive Person
An empath is someone who is highly attuned to the emotions, energy, and experiences of other people, groups, and environments. Empaths often do more than feel compassion for others. They may actually absorb other people’s emotions and mistake those feelings for their own. This can create overwhelm, exhaustion, anxiety, or emotional ups and downs if they do not understand what is happening.
A highly sensitive person, or HSP, is also deeply sensitive to their environment, emotions, stimulation, and energy. HSPs may be sensitive to light, sound, crowds, conflict, and the emotional tone of a room. Many HSPs are intuitive, compassionate, and easily overstimulated, but the key difference is that they do not typically take on or absorb other people’s emotions in the same way an empath does.
Related Episodes
You may also enjoy:
250: How to Build Empathy and Improve Relationships: https://www.theadultchair.com/podcasts/250?rq=empath
301: Narcissism 101: What It Is & How To Heal It: https://www.theadultchair.com/podcasts/301?rq=empath
420: Navigating Grief: https://www.theadultchair.com/podcasts/420?rq=empath
MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT
Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com
Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective
https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant
The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair
Have you ever wondered if you are an empath, a highly sensitive person, or both?
I’m breaking down the difference between an empath and an HSP, which stands for highly sensitive person. I explain what empathy is, what makes someone an empath, and how empaths often absorb the emotions and energy of people, groups, and places. When we do not understand this about ourselves, it can lead to overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, mood swings, and the feeling that something is wrong with us when really, we are picking up on energy that may not even belong to us.
I also share common traits of empaths, including sensitivity to light, sound, crowds, other people’s emotions, nature, animals, and authenticity. Then, I explain how highly sensitive people are similar to empaths, but with one key difference: HSPs may sense and feel deeply, but they do not absorb other people’s emotions in the same way an empath does.
Key Takeaways
-Empathy is the ability to feel with another person, but being an empath takes this sensitivity to another level
-Empaths are deeply attuned to the energy and emotions of people, groups, and places
-Many empaths do not realize they are absorbing emotions that are not their own
-Unaware empaths may experience overwhelm, fatigue, anxiety, depression, or mood instability
-Empaths often feel deeply connected to nature and animals
-Crowds, noise, bright lights, television, news, and chaotic environments can feel overwhelming to an empath’s nervous system
-People are often naturally drawn to empaths and may share deeply personal things with them
-Empaths can often sense when someone is being inauthentic or hiding behind a mask
-Alone time, or “cave time,” helps empaths recharge
-Self-care, nature, grounding, boundaries, and micro moments of peace are essential for empaths
-Highly sensitive people and empaths share many traits, but HSPs do not absorb other people’s emotions in the same way
-You can be both an empath and a highly sensitive person
Empath vs. Highly Sensitive Person
An empath is someone who is highly attuned to the emotions, energy, and experiences of other people, groups, and environments. Empaths often do more than feel compassion for others. They may actually absorb other people’s emotions and mistake those feelings for their own. This can create overwhelm, exhaustion, anxiety, or emotional ups and downs if they do not understand what is happening.
A highly sensitive person, or HSP, is also deeply sensitive to their environment, emotions, stimulation, and energy. HSPs may be sensitive to light, sound, crowds, conflict, and the emotional tone of a room. Many HSPs are intuitive, compassionate, and easily overstimulated, but the key difference is that they do not typically take on or absorb other people’s emotions in the same way an empath does.
Related Episodes
You may also enjoy:
250: How to Build Empathy and Improve Relationships: https://www.theadultchair.com/podcasts/250?rq=empath
301: Narcissism 101: What It Is & How To Heal It: https://www.theadultchair.com/podcasts/301?rq=empath
420: Navigating Grief: https://www.theadultchair.com/podcasts/420?rq=empath
MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT
Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com
Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective
https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant
The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair
