Within HSPs (Highly Sensitive People) there is a smaller group who are called Empaths.
WHAT IS AN EMPATH? Being an empath basically means absorbing other people's emotions or physical symptoms into your own body or experiencing a very heightened intuition.
Although this topic seems much more linked to the spiritual field or related to each person's faith, Judith Orloff's story reveals that empaths have a specific type of neurological functioning within a spectrum, demystifying the topic and bringing the more subtle sensory field closer to science.
Childhood and High Sensitivity
Since she was little, Judith Orloff has felt the world more intensely than others around her. She remembers that when she entered shopping malls or crowded places, she left with pain, anxiety or exhaustion.
This happens because mirror neurons, responsible for our empathy, work harder and are more active in a group of people: empaths or highly empathetic people.
In this sense, Empaths absorb more of the world's stress, but they also feel its joy more easily.
Authentic path
Judith grew up in a family of doctors. She always knew she wanted to help people, but in a way that integrated the body, mind and spirit. This vision led her to become a psychiatrist, but with a unique approach that embraced both science and intuition.
Before she became famous, Judith Orloff struggled to balance her own sensitivity with the demands of traditional medicine. She felt there was more to healing than just the physical and was determined to find a way to bring empathy and emotional understanding to the center of her practice.
Book “Second Sight”
Her first book, "Second Sight" was a milestone in her career.
“That was my memoir, about how I became an intuitive psychiatrist empath, in a world of traditional science, when I was terrified about what my colleagues would think of me.”
This act of vulnerability put her on the map as a leading voice for empaths and highly sensitive people, offering strategies for protecting themselves and embracing this unique way of seeing people and the world.
Book “The Empath's Survival Guide”
She has written extensively about how empaths can thrive, focusing on self-care techniques, energetic boundaries, and the importance of a supportive environment.
Her book “The Empath's Survival Guide” has become an essential manual for empaths, covering everything from recognizing one's sensitivity to navigating relationships and work environments.
Dr Judith's 5 Strategies for Empaths are:
- Practices such as meditation or walks in nature to reconnect and center yourself;
- Set healthy boundaries, learning to say "no" to preserve your energy;
- Control overstimulation by limiting exposure to chaotic or stressful environments;
- Keep a gratitude journal or say positive affirmations at the end of the day to avoid those thoughts of self-doubt;
- Connect with other empaths to share experiences and tips.
Judith Orloff's journey is a testament to the power of empathy and emotional sensitivity.
She showed that, far from being weaknesses, these characteristics are sources of strength and wisdom. With it we can see the world with more compassion. And compassion is urgent in the world we live in!
Her work inspires empaths to live more authentically, embracing their personality with more courage.