Below is a quiz designed for self-identified empaths to explore their empathic tendencies. This quiz is intended for personal insight and self-discovery, rather than a diagnostic tool.
Answer each question honestly, and then tally your responses to see where you might fall on the empath spectrum.
Empath Self-Discovery Quiz
For each statement, choose the response that best describes how frequently you feel or experience the described situation:
- Almost Always (A)
- Often (B)
- Sometimes (C)
- Rarely (D)
- Never (E)
Questions
- I can easily pick up on the emotions of others, even before they’ve expressed how they’re feeling.
- Crowded places can overwhelm me, making me feel exhausted or anxious.
- I have a deep appreciation for nature, art, and music, often feeling overwhelmed by their beauty.
- I find myself needing periods of solitude to “recharge” after social interactions.
- People tend to come to me with their problems, and I’m a good listener.
- I have a rich and complex inner emotional life.
- I am deeply moved by acts of kindness or cruelty, often feeling these actions as if they were my own experiences.
- I can become easily engulfed by the emotions of movies, books, or news stories, as if I am living through the events myself.
- I often feel a strong urge to help people, even if it means putting my own needs aside.
- I have been told that I’m “too sensitive” or that I “need to toughen up.”
- I can sense the mood in a room as soon as I enter it, even if nothing has been said.
- I often feel drained after spending time around people who are stressed or upset.
- I sometimes feel physical symptoms (like fatigue or pain) that are actually reflections of someone else’s emotions.
- I have a hard time setting boundaries in relationships, often feeling guilty for saying no.
- I am deeply affected by negative news or events happening around the world, often feeling helpless or sorrowful.
Scoring
Tally your responses according to the following points: A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1.
- 65-75 Points: You are highly empathic. You deeply feel the emotions of others and often find yourself taking on those emotional states as your own. It’s important for you to practice setting healthy boundaries and finding ways to protect your energy.
- 50-64 Points: You have a strong empathic tendency. You are sensitive to the emotions and energies around you, but you may also have some strategies in place to manage and protect your well-being.
- 35-49 Points: You have a moderate level of empathy. You can relate to others and understand their feelings, but you also maintain a certain level of emotional separation. This balance helps you support others while also taking care of yourself.
- 20-34 Points: You have a lower sensitivity to the emotions of others. While you can be empathetic when the situation calls for it, you are less likely to be overwhelmed by the emotions around you.
- Below 20 Points: You may find it challenging to connect with or absorb the emotions of others. This doesn’t mean you lack empathy, but you might engage with it in a more intellectual or less emotional way.
Keep in mind that this quiz is not a definitive measure of your capacity for empathy. It’s designed to offer insight into how you might experience and process the emotions of others.
Everyone has a unique way of interacting with the world, and being an empath is just one aspect of the vast spectrum of human experience.