A lot of people have taken to labeling themselves as "empaths", which is a disturbing development to this therapist. Humans should have empathy normally. When did being empathic become an anomaly? Empathy is not an anomaly nor is it a special power. The term "empath," it is often used to describe a person who is highly sensitive to the emotions and feelings of others. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and is a normal part of human experience. Some people believe they are "empaths" because they feel a strong connection to other people's emotions, but it's important to remember that empathy is not a distinct personality trait or type. Empathy is a common human experience and can vary in degree and intensity. If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed by your sensitivity to other people's emotions, it may be helpful to seek professional support from a therapist or counselor. They can help you develop coping strategies and support you in managing your emotions in a healthy way.
Our social services system is based on having empathy for people struggling with issues which may not be an issue for us, but we have empathy for their struggle and are willing to dedicate resources to making that struggle less of a burden. Our legal system is based on empathy as it allows lesser charges if someone is impaired by a mental illness or is very young. Animals even display empathy for each other and even other species. Some wonderful examples are seen in this video from TikTok.
TikTok Video of Animals Displaying Empathy
Empathy is such a norm that people without this ability are considered severely abnormal. Lack of empathy is a major element of antisocial personality disorder, commonly referred to as psychopathy or sociopathy. Only in a society where narcissism and psychopathy have become the norm does empathy look like an anomaly. It shouldn't be. It should be standard operating procedure for humans.
As a society, we need to expect everyone to have empathy. That is what makes us humane.