Empath vs. Hsp: There Is a Difference
A few years after learning I was an empath, I heard the term “HSP,” which is short for “highly sensitive person.” It was another lightbulb moment for me. “Ah, so I’m not overly picky and difficult; I'm just super sensitive to environmental stimuli.”
What’s an HSP?
An HSP has a sensitive nervous system that processes internal and external stimuli more deeply, is more easily overwhelmed, and is highly aware of subtle environmental cues.
The 4 core characteristics of an HSP are the following (D.O.E.S.):
Depth of processing - they reflect, process, and analyze information more deeply than others.
Overstimulation/overarousability - from busy/noisy environments
Emotional reactivity and empathy - they feel emotions intensely and have high levels of empathy for others.
Sensing the subtle - changes in environment (sounds, smells, moods)
HSP vs. Empaths
It’s important to note that many empaths are HSP, but not all HSP are empaths. It’s believed that about 20% of the population are HSPs, whereas 1.5-2% of the population are truly empathic.
An empath is a person who absorbs and internalizes others’ emotions/energy into their own system, whereas an HSP has a genetically influenced sensitive nervous system that processes stimuli deeply. HSPs are sensitive to sensory input (light, noise, crowds, textures), whereas empaths are highly sensitive to subtle energy, environments, and emotional fields. Empaths require energetic boundaries, and HSPs require sensory and emotional boundaries (rest & reduced stimulation). An HSP would say, “This is a lot,” whereas an empath would say, “This isn’t mine.”
Empaths have to learn how to differentiate other people’s energy from their own; they have to create and maintain energetic boundaries, and they have to release absorbed emotions and energetic cording.
HSPs need to regulate their nervous system, reduce stimulation, and process their emotions.
Being Both
As I mentioned before, many empaths are HSP, but not all HSP are empaths - but you can also be both. As someone who is both, let me tell you, life can be rather challenging. I’ve been sensitive my entire life, but it wasn’t until my intuitive gifts opened up that my sensitivities went to an extreme.
I pick up on details most people overlook.
I can’t wear certain fabrics due to how they feel.
I can smell cigarette smoke from someone far away as if they’re right next to me.
The scents from shampoos, detergents, and perfumes can be overwhelming and even lead to migraines.
I rarely use a cell phone, as I can feel my hand or ear burning when I hold it.
Don’t get me started on smart meters (the electric companies switched out the old analog meters on everyone’s homes, often without telling people) - they cause nerve pain and grate my nervous system.
High-pitched noises that others don’t seem to hear can drive my head in.
When many people are talking at once or there is background noise - unless I really focus, I can’t hear what they’re saying.
I can’t be around people in gatherings for extended periods of time, and I can’t have long conversations without feeling depleted.
Constant noise leads me to anxiety.
To take it one step further, I’m intuitive, and part of that is being clairsentient - I can feel people’s energy no matter where they are in the world as well as those who are no longer in this world. The deceased who want to be crossed over sometimes use strong smells to get my attention - that no one else can sense. I can walk into a home or be out somewhere and feel right away if the energy is off.
How I Live With Sensitivities
I used to live in some of the largest cities (i.e., New York & Mexico City), and they really did a number on my nervous system - though I didn’t realize it at the time. Now, I look to live in places that are in or near nature.
Whenever there’s an event, I often drive separately so I can leave if I need to.
My family will see me disappear for 20-30 minutes at a time when we all get together. When I start to get overwhelmed, I have to take that time for myself.
I attended my nephew’s band concert and took earplugs - I could still hear, but the noise level was reduced enough that it was more comfortable.
I connect with people over a computer vs. a cell phone, so I reduce my exposure to the radiation I can feel.
I try to find places that still have analog meters on the homes (which is getting damn near impossible).
I no longer live in apartment buildings.
I get out in nature as much as possible to help my nervous system.
Whenever I’m staying with someone, I let them know that strong scents are a migraine trigger and what those scents might include, such as perfume and nail polish, and I ask if they could not use them while I’m there.
I use non-scented cleaning products and detergents.
I don’t watch the news. If there’s something going on that I need to know about, it often comes to me in other ways - through conversations or on social media.
I do a lot of energetic clearing and alignment work on myself.
One of the Biggest Challenges
I think one of the biggest challenges of being an empath, an HSP, or both is that we’re often misunderstood. If people aren’t like us, they really don’t get it. What’s worse is when they choose not to try to understand. It’s easier for them to write you off as oversensitive, too picky, or my all-time favorite - crazy. In a world where we may not feel "normal," we have to realize that we are indeed normal, just different. In the book Empathipedia, Dave states, "We are normal - atypical for sure, but still normal."
Elaine Aron has a few movies out that are wonderful. They helped me understand myself better as an HSP. I even tried to get my family to watch them, but they weren’t interested. That was a hard lesson - you can’t force people to open their minds, to change, or to try to understand you. What you can do is plant the seeds, but they have to arrive there on their own - and you have to learn to be o.k. with that.
What’s important is understanding your sensitivities and functioning in spite of them, as well as allowing them to be your superpower. My empathic abilities often lead to others getting in touch with their own empathy. My sensitivities play into my being an intuitive, where I help people clear their energetic, emotional, and mental blockages at an in-depth level.
If you suspect you may be an empath, an HSP, or maybe even both, there are a few links I recommend checking out:
Empaths:
Empathipedia by Dave Markowitz
https://drjudithorloff.com/quizzes/are-you-an-empath-20-question-self-assessment-test/
HSP:
https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
Elaine Aron’s movies:
Sensitive: The Untold Story
Sensitive and In Love
Both of these are available on Amazon Prime, or if you go to her website, you can rent them there.
Heart Hugs, Adrienne
