What Is a Sigma Empath? Plus 11 Signs You Are One

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Unpacking this rare and contradictory personality

Co-authored by Hannah Madden Reviewed by Seth Hall

Last Updated: October 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Sigma Empath Definition

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Signs You Are a Sigma Empath

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Coping as a Sigma Empath

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Do you feel like you understand the emotions of others well, sometimes even better than your own? Are you a social-yet-introverted person who tends to live outside of the status quo? If so, you might just be a sigma empath. These strong, independent personalities come with both pros and cons, but one thing is for sure: they’re definitely unique. To learn more about Sigma empaths and discover the signs that you might be one, keep reading.

Things You Should Know

A Sigma empath is a lone wolf who feels the emotions of other people but is also in tune with their own feelings.
You may be a Sigma empath if you can read people easily and know when people are lying.
You may also be a Sigma empath if you get overwhelmed by your environment easily or you have a heightened sense of smell or hearing.

Section 1 of 3:

What is a sigma empath?

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A sigma empath is an independent person who feels other people’s emotions deeply. They embody the traits of a sigma personality (sociable yet introverted, self-reliant, tends to be a lone wolf) as well as an empath (someone who feels other people’s emotions deeply). Sigma empaths have the unique ability to read and understand other people while also keeping them at arm’s length.^{[1]
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- Sigma personality types tend to be indifferent to social status. They are non-conformists and are confident about themselves no matter what situation they’re in.
- Empaths are in tune with the emotions of others, and can often read people very easily.
- While regular empaths may block their own emotions in favor of other people’s, sigma empaths still feel their own emotions deeply.
- Sigma empaths feel very connected to humanity and often feel strongly about justice in the world.

Quiz

wikiHow Quiz: Am I a Narcissist or an Empath?

Empath, narcissist, or somewhere in between? If you’re wondering where you rank, you’ve come to the right place. This quiz is fine-tuned to help you know yourself better and increase your self-awareness. So whether you’re a super empathetic softie or you’re all about yourself, you’ll know in a matter of minutes. Take our quiz to discover more!

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Your friend calls to say that they lost their job today. You feel:

Completely devastated. That must be awful for them.

You feel sad, but you’re able to keep it from ruining your day.

You might be a little bummed out, but you bounce back quickly.

Secretly glad, since you now feel superior to her in terms of employment.

Section 2 of 3:

Signs You Are a Sigma Empath

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You’re very intuitive. Many sigma empaths have a lot of intuition and can trust their gut daily. Sigma empaths can trust their intuition to help them make decisions, even if there’s no “logical” reason for it.
- For instance, maybe you start dating someone who seems really awesome on the outside, but you can’t shake the feeling that they’re lying to you. As a sigma empath, you can trust your gut to let you know when something is wrong.
- Some people even believe that sigma empaths have natural psychic powers or can connect with the other side.
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You can tell when people are lying easily. Since Sigma empaths can read people so easily, they can often tell when friends or family members are not honest with them. If people find it hard to lie around you or you can immediately tell when someone is hiding the truth, you may be a sigma empath.^{[2]
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- Many people detect lies subconsciously. Your mind is likely picking up on little cues, like tone of voice and body language, that you may not even be aware of.
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You can read other people’s emotions easily. One of the main signs of a sigma empath is the ability to feel other people’s emotions as deeply as they do. When your friend is hurt, you are, too. When your family members are elated, so are you. Even when they don’t tell you what they’re feeling, you can look at a person and simply understand what they’re going through.^{[3]
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- For instance, maybe your partner comes home after work and you instantly know they’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious (even before they say anything).
- Being an empath can be a good thing, but it can also be overwhelming. Being able to feel other people’s emotions at all times can exhaust you and leave you feeling overwhelmed.
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Your senses are heightened. Many sigma empaths are described as being “sensitive.” This is because your senses are actually stronger: you might have a heightened sense of smell, being able to catch a whiff of something that others can’t. Or, you may be able to hear things from very far away. You’re so in tune with your senses that they actually appear stronger than other people’s.^{[4]
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- Maybe you walk outside one day and smell smoke, but your friends can’t. Don’t be surprised if you check the news and find out that there is a wildfire a couple of miles away.
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You have vivid dreams or nightmares. Dreams and nightmares are your brain’s way of processing emotions and events that happened during the day.^{[5]
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Research source} Since sigma empaths feel a lot of emotions all at once, it’s very likely that you have long, realistic dreams that may even turn into nightmares.
- Many sigma empaths can also practice lucid dreaming.
- Some people even believe that sigma empaths have the ability to look into the future using their dreams.
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You get overwhelmed by your environment easily. Since sigma empaths are so in tune with the world around them, they tend to feel stressed out by what’s going on near them. Loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells may all feel overwhelming to you if you’re a sigma empath.^{[6]
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- Ask yourself: how do you feel at house parties? Sigma empaths may enjoy socializing but become drained and irritated after a few hours.
- This can also lead sigma empaths to become easily distracted by what’s around them.
Dramatic people and situations tend to drain sigma empaths easily. Because dramatic people have a lot of emotional needs, a sigma empath might feel exhausted after interacting with them. If you find yourself shying away from personalities who always have someone or something to gossip about, you may just be a sigma empath.^{[7]
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Your personality is full of contradictions. Sigma empaths can often be confusing to other people (and even themselves). Social yet introverted, in tune with others yet needing to be alone, and feeling your own emotions as well as other people’s. These contradictions make Sigma empaths very well-rounded, but they can also be isolating, as many people struggle to understand them.^{[8]
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- Sigma empaths also understand the people around them but don’t have a strong desire to be accepted or respected by them.
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You don’t want to be in the spotlight. Sigma empaths are people who don’t really care about the social hierarchy. They understand it, and they’re in tune with the emotions of people around them, but sigma empaths don’t want to be leaders. Instead, they’re content with fading into the background and living life on their own terms.^{[9]
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- Sigma empaths are often described as “lone wolves.” They have friends and are friendly people, but often need to spend time alone to relax and recharge.
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You have a calming, soothing presence. Many people find sigma empaths relaxing to be around. Your friends might thank you for calming them down or giving them comfort when they’re upset. While sigma empaths may feel their emotions deeply, they can also soothe the people around them very well.
- Even strangers tend to gravitate toward sigma empaths when they’re in need. You might find that whenever you’re out and about, people ask you for assistance because you have a calming presence.
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You treat everyone equally. Sigma empaths are sometimes called the “antidote for narcissists.” Since sigma empaths don’t care about social status, they don’t give narcissists the attention that they so desperately crave. If you have any arrogant people in your life who constantly want to be the center of attention, you might notice that they get frustrated or upset when they’re around you.^{[10]
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- You may treat delivery drivers with the same respect as CEOs.

Section 3 of 3:

Coping as a Sigma Empath

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Practice self-care often. Being a sigma empath can be exhausting. If you’re feeling upset or overwhelmed, do something nice for yourself, like soaking in a bubble bath, exercising, or reading a good book. Try to do something relaxing for yourself at least once a day (even if it’s only for 10 or 15 minutes).^{[11]
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National Institute of Mental Health
Informational website from U.S. government focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness.

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- Since sigma empaths feel the emotions of others, it’s important to take care of yourself first and foremost. Focusing on other people 100% of the time can lead to burnout.
- Self-care will also help you focus on your own feelings and emotions rather than getting too distracted by other people’s.
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Use mindfulness to avoid getting overwhelmed. Being mindful helps you live in the moment and focus on what’s right in front of you. If you find yourself getting distracted or thinking about other people’s emotions, take deep breaths and practice looking right in front of you. Slow down and think about all the things you can sense right now using all 5 of your senses.^{[12]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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- Meditating can also be very helpful. Meditation helps you relax and clear your mind, especially when you’re stressed.
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Set boundaries for yourself. Sigma empaths often find themselves taking on the emotional well-being of others. To avoid spending all your time caring for other people, set clear boundaries and be sure to take time for yourself, too. Remember: you can’t help other people if you’re completely drained all the time.^{[13]
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- You might ask your friends to check in with you before venting about their issues. “You know I’m always here to help, but I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed lately. Would you mind asking if I’m in a good headspace before talking about your relationship issues?”
- You could also schedule alone time for yourself so you can rest and recharge. Dedicate one or two evenings a week where you just lounge at home, not doing much of anything.
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Ground yourself to connect to your own energy. As a sigma empath, you may find yourself focusing on the energy of others rather than on your own. Ground yourself by standing with your feet flat on the floor and focusing on your body. Take a deep breath and picture how your energy is flowing from your feet into the floor, growing roots.^{[14]
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Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living

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- You can ground yourself as often as once a day, or whenever you find yourself feeling overwhelmed.
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Keep your inner circle small. As a sigma empath, you probably have a close circle of friends that you keep up with. Protect your peace by keeping your friends close and tight-knit. Expanding your social circle is fine, but you may find that the more friends you have, the more drained you feel.^{[15]
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- Or, if you still want to meet new people, treat them like acquaintances instead of close friends. This will help you avoid taking on the emotional needs of every new person that you meet.
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Find jobs that align with your abilities, interests, and need for quiet time. As a sigma empath, jobs that require a lot of socialization time may not be for you. Instead, look for career paths that keep you working on small teams and limiting human interaction. You might try jobs like:^{[16]
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- Artist
- Writer
- Musician
- Librarian
- Web designer
- Programmer

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While you may identify with the sigma empath label, it’s important to note that this is not a scientifically-backed term.

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Some "sigma empath" traits, like sensory sensitivity and strong emotions, can be signs of neurodivergence. Understanding how your mind works is important for self-care and living a healthy lifestyle.

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