What differentiates and HSP from an empath?
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and empaths share heightened sensitivity to stimuli and emotions, yet there are significant variations between the two personality types.
Defining HSP’s and empaths
Dr Elaine Aron, a psychologist, has coined the term “Highly Sensitive Person” (HSP) in the 1990s and released her book ‘The Highly Sensitive Person’ about it in 1996. HSP’s are people who are extremely sensitive to external stimuli including noise, light, and other bodily sensations. Their deeper central nervous system sensitivity processes the impulses differently than widely accepted social norms, and some refer to this as sensory processing sensitivity, or SPS for short.
It is human nature to be sensitive to certain things, however an HSP is defined as a different level of sensitivity. While extremely sensitive persons are frequently criticized for being “too sensitive,” it remains a personality trait with both strengths and challenges.
Empaths, on the other hand, are individuals who are highly attuned to the feelings, emotions and energy of others. Empaths feel what another person is feeling at a deeper emotional level.
The empath’s ability to perceive what others are feeling extends beyond mere comprehension of sentiments, it involves genuine assimilation of the feelings and emotions of others around them.
Dr. Judith Orloff, a Californian psychiatrist, has described the empathic personality in her book “The Empath Survival Guide”. She describes empaths as emotional sponges who absorb both the stress and the joy of the world, often to an extreme.
Regardless of her insights, science remains divided on whether or not ‘true empaths’ actually exist, though plenty of people claim to have such abilities. Even though, researchers have discovered what they call “mirror neurons” in the brain, which may allow us to replicate the emotions of others we interact with and it appears that some people have more mirror neurons than others, implying that empaths exist.
The focus of their sensitivities
Highly sensitive persons primarily experience heightened sensitivity to external stimuli, such as loud noises, bright lights, strong, specific smells or crowded environments. Their sensitivity may also be amplified by emotional stimuli, but it isn’t the central focus of their sensitivity. Whereas empaths are primarily focused on emotional sensitivity. Most of the time, they are deeply attuned to the feelings and emotions of others, often unaware, identifying and experiencing them as if they were their own.
Empaths may also be sensitive to external stimuli as HSP’s, but their primary sensitivity lies in the realm of emotions.
Response to Others’ Emotions
HSPs might be affected by the emotions of others, but they typically do not absorb or internalize them to the same extent as empaths. They may feel empathy and compassion for others’ emotions but are better in maintaining their emotional boundaries whereas empaths often struggle. Their heightened ability to absorb and internalize the emotions of others, often identifying and experiencing them as if they were their own, could trigger an emotional mirror situation. The following situation briefly describes where an empath experiences a mirror situation:
On her day off, Laura enjoys the subtle energy of the music in the background whilst reading her book.
Her husband promptly opens the front door and enters, slamming it shut behind him. He had been reprimanded unfairly at work earlier that day, and he’s still upset about it. Laura just absorbs his intense emotions a sponge without noticing it. Whereas she had been at ease just a moment ago, his energy arouses her instinctual fight responses. They start bickering over a trivial matter, escalating the situation.
Laura’s abnormal responses reflect the common mirror situation that can become emotional when an empath is oblivious of their vulnerabilities.
Needless to say that empaths may feel overwhelmed or drained by the emotions of others, especially in intense or negative emotional environments.
Differences in guarding boundaries
HSPs might have strong boundaries and self-awareness, allowing them to regulate their sensitivity to external stimuli and emotions, but it’s not always the case. They can often recognise when they need to take a break or get away from stressful situations.
On the other hand, empaths often struggle maintaining boundaries, because they instinctively feel compelled to rescue others. Moreover, they might have difficulties distinguishing between their own emotions and others, leading to tiredness, feeling overwhelmed or burn-outs, especially after long exposure to negative environments.
More often than not, empaths prioritise taking care of others rather than themselves.
Their focal points for selfcare
Self-care is beneficial for both HSP’s and empaths.
The exercises for HSP’s focus mainly on managing the sensitivity to external stimuli, such as creating quiet environments, exercising mindfulness and engaging in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction.
Empaths may benefit from the same self-care routines, but should concentrate on their emotional sensitivity and maintaining appropriate boundaries with others. Their routines should include exercises like energy protection, grounding, and establishing clear emotional recognition and boundary awareness.
Summary
While both HSPs and empaths share heightened sensitivity to stimuli and emotions, empaths primarily focus on emotional sensitivity and have a heightened ability to absorb and internalize the emotions of others. HSPs, on the other hand, may experience sensitivity to both external and emotional stimuli but typically have stronger boundaries and self-awareness to manage their sensitivity effectively.
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