I am also a empath –I do not like anyone who gets pleasure out of hurting defenseless people or pester/torture animals . I have problems being around them. This is long term and does not change with time..
I am the same way–I have no tolerance for bullies. My friends and family are afraid that one day my big mouth will get me hurt, but I have no fear of anyone. I don’t know if this is good or bad, but so far, no one I’ve stood up to or told off for bullying someone else or a defenseless animal has reacted in any way other than to walk away. I’m not an imposing physical figure (at 5’2″ – haha!), but I think the look of rage in my eyes makes them think that I might be the psycho. I love that. 
I am empathic to the point where being around someone else who is in a bad mood can completely ruin my day. I remember a girl at church, who was kind of all over the place with her emotions. Looking back, I would guess she probably was either bi-polar or maybe had ADHD, I don’t know, but I never knew which one of her was going to show up, so I got to the point where I just tried to avoid her. I really thought for a long time that her negative energy was directed at me–even though it wasn’t (I was her little sister’s friend, so she and I really had nothing to do with each other).
This quality, overall, is a good one to have, because it makes you a better friend. People who don’t open up to others about their problems are more likely to open up to someone taking the initiative and asking, “are you okay?” I’ve had people lay it all out there, and then tell me that they appreciated being able to talk to someone.
I think that outweighs the negative.