Challenging Misperceptions Regarding Empathy and Asserting Boundaries
"You're cold!", "You're selfish!"; "You're a narcissist!"; "You have no empathy!": The Empath’s double bind when setting appropriate boundaries
For many empaths, the world is an intricate tapestry of emotions and sensations, making them deeply attuned to the feelings of others. However, this sensitivity can lead to a painful paradox, especially for adult survivors of Family Scapegoating Abuse (FSA). When empaths attempt to establish boundaries to protect their well-being, they may find themselves labeled as cold, selfish, or lacking in empathy. This article explores this double bind and offers insights for those navigating the complexities of their relationships as empaths.
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When Empath-Types Set Boundaries
Have you ever set a boundary with someone - a completely reasonable one - or expressed a preference, want, or need, and been accused of “not having any empathy" or of being “cold,” “selfish,” or “narcissistic”?
This has happened to me more times than I care to count, and it happens even more since I became a p…