I associate it deeply with BPD style emotional abuse. Everyone who’s done that form of abuse to me has called themselves an empath. But inevitably, nope, it’s just hypervigilance and projection and don’t I dare correct them on how I’m feeling.
Incidentally I have a cptsd response where I often mask discomfort and fear so it’s especially things like me saying “no” and “I don’t want that” that get disbelieved by these “empaths”
Is empath some sort of dogwhistle? The only time I’ve seen the phrase “I’m an empath” was in between conservative misinformation on Facebook.
What they think it means: I have empathy with the struggles of others and can put myself in their shoes to try and understand them.
What it actually means: I’m an insufferable arse who refuses to acknowledge or respect another person’s point of view.
I’ve seen it with some crystal-healers and alt woo woo types.
I think they mean well… shrug
they seem much much less judgemental and hung up on dogma than the “bless your heart” and “I’ll pray for you” types.
YMMV
I associate it deeply with BPD style emotional abuse. Everyone who’s done that form of abuse to me has called themselves an empath. But inevitably, nope, it’s just hypervigilance and projection and don’t I dare correct them on how I’m feeling.
Incidentally I have a cptsd response where I often mask discomfort and fear so it’s especially things like me saying “no” and “I don’t want that” that get disbelieved by these “empaths”