Empaths are often Introverts

Most people who know empaths also know that empaths are often introverts. Who is an empath? Empaths are people who can understand other people’s emotions, pain, thoughts, intentions, motives, attitude, and behaviors. They are highly sensitive people (HSP), and they have a special gift of observation and intuition which enables them to identify others emotions and energies (Hundt, 2017). Since most introverts are also highly sensitive people, they tend to be empaths (Cain, 2012). Empaths can be so sensitive that they feel moved by the sight of a hunched old lady sitting on a bench across the street, while others would just pass by without being affected (Franklyn, 2016). Because of their highly sensitive ability to identify others pain and their tendency to help others, empaths can often get tangled with problems that are not their own. This is true in the case of empaths who are introverts.

The openness and loving attitude of empaths cause them to become vulnerable to the stories of those who take advantage of their empathy (Orloff, 2017). However, empaths who are extroverts can quickly identify deceptive people and make intelligent decisions to come out of their vulnerability. They can easily detach themselves from individuals who take advantage of them, unlike the empaths who are introverts. Extrovert empaths are warrior-type empaths who are bold, courageous, strong, fearless, can be forceful, and even less compassionate when people try to manipulate or play games with them (Hundt, 2016). It is the introvert empaths who go through pain consistently because of their tendency to help others as they trust people on unequivocally. Besides, they find it hard to detach themselves from people with whom they are associated and find themselves tangled in the problems of others in the process of helping. Kagan’s work on highly reactive children demonstrated that children who are introverts were sensitive to social and sensory stimulation (Cain, 2012). This explains why empaths who are introverts find it challenging to say “no” to others when asked for favors or help.

As empaths lend a listening ear to others, they fall into the trap of those who easily take advantage of their empathy and manipulate them to achieve their personal goals. As an effort to save themselves from recurring mental pain, disappointments and regrets, empaths often tend to become introverted as they evolve through life stages (Myles, 2016). Introvert empaths are often treated unfairly by the manipulators who behave cold, withhold love, and give the silent treatment or show indifference, knowing that it will take a toll on the empath’s mind (Orloff, 2017). Consequently, a predominant of empaths are introverts, as they choose to become introverts to escape unnecessary pain and agony in their lives.

I have been an empath since my teen years. Since my early years of childhood, I was more of an introvert. However, when I entered adulthood, I grew out of my shell and adopted the personality of an ambivert (a balance of extroverted and introverted personalities). Some of the Christian values I learned and held made me presume that I needed to become an extrovert if I have to help others in order to satisfy my soul. Consequently, as an empath, I only found that I encountered more pain by helping others than what I would have encountered by not volunteering to help. I counted my pain and struggles as trials of living a Christian lifestyle. After having suffered mental pain and agony for close to 13 years, I realized that my belief system in helping others and subsequent suffering was unwarranted. The outcome didn’t make me less of an empath, but I chose to become an introvert instead. I don’t need to help others at the cost of damaging myself or my mental peace and serenity. I am happy for what I am now. Empaths are often introverts like me…
References

Cain, S. (2012). Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. UK: Penguin Publishers

Hundt, I. (2017). Four Signs You May Be an Empath-Warrior. The Blog. Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/isabel-hundt-/four-signs-you-may-be-an-empath-warrior_b_9401918.html

Orloff, J. (2017). The Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies for Sensitive People. Colorado: Sounds True.

Myles, A. (2016). An Empath: The Highly Sensitive Person’s Guide to Energy, Emotions and Relationships. Indiana: Xlibris Corporation.