Member-only story
5 Key Differences Between an Empath and a Co-Dependent
And, yes, you can be both!
Aren’t Empaths and Co-Dependents the Same?
If you are like me, you probably thought empaths and co-dependents were the same thing. It wasn’t until I read Judith Orloff’s book, Thriving as an Empath, that I realized there is a difference, and I happen to be both, an empath and a co-dependent.
An empath is someone that absorbs other people’s feelings, and energy. For example, when they walk in a room where someone has been arguing with their spouse, empaths can feel the tension. They can intuit the frustration and anger, making the empath suddenly feel tense, or angrier than they were before they walked in the room. It’s a very sudden change, that the empath who is unaware, may not even realize has happened. An empath that knows about this potential to pick up on the emotions of others, may know how to recognize and block the energy of others, using grounding techniques, or shielding themselves. There are many ways to ground or shield yourself, including using essential oils, carrying objects like crystals or religious symbols, breathing exercises, or visualization, for instance.
In contrast, a co-dependent is someone that believes they need to intervene in other people’s lives to keep something terrible from happening…
