Are You an Empath? How to Stop Being an Emotional Sponge

[UglyNRude]

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Thought some of you might enjoy this.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-orl...97483.html

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When investigating paranormal don't rely on assumptions, base your decisions on evidence.

[Fiona]

That was an interesting read.

I've been told before by friends and my husband that I am quite empathetic.

The thing is, I have at times been over-emotional and over-sensitive. I also feel for other people and animals - I can't tell you the amount of times that I have got distressed or cried about something and embarrassed my husband lol.

I can't help it though... it shapes who I am and the way I see the world, so I don't want to particularly change.

[scarygirl67]

I answered "yes" to six of the questions. I am glad to say I have also gotten a lot from following the advice that is on there in dealing with it. The thing that was the hardest, (and that I was most proud of when I finally started doing it) was saying "no" to other people's problems and emotions, and leaving it at that. I always feel the need to over defend myself....and that statement in the article is so true. "'No' is a complete sentence".

[Haunted Lady]

I am an emotional empath, though I don't experience most of the issues or symptoms this article covered. Ok, I have a few extra pounds on me I admit...most of which at this point has more to do with my thyroid gland being blasted to smithereens by radiation years ago than overeating though.

I attribute my ability to live in an analytical and realistic world to three things;
1. My mother. She has shaped me and formed me into a person that is able to differentiate feelings from facts. Had it not been for her I am fully aware of the mess I could have become.
2. Understanding and actively ulilizing the armor of God. (Some call this psychic protections, inevitably it's the same practice though, regardless of religious or spiritual beliefs).
3. Lastly, but not leastly...I have this innate and driven desire to research everything. I am obsessive about locating facts and information up to and including figuring out just what makes 'me' tick. I check myself regularly, and before I make snap decisions or make a move based on emotion I pick it apart throroughly.

Fantastic article though. I honestly believe too many empaths don't recognize what they are experiencing and become a victim to their own emotions.

[Goonis38]

Hey there,
UNR that was a very good thread... I have felt this way my whole life. And I didn't figure it out until about a couple of years ago.
I had been protecting myself with part of her advise by instinct for awhile. Well most my grown up life. But something she mentioned. I just started doing that has been extremely helpful. Is the meditation, and breathing... I have been practicing that daily and I can't tell you how much this helps in calming, and centering your self... Again great thread... Melanie

[WitchMom78]

Great article.

In my experience I seem to be both a physical and emotional empath. I work hard to keep myself shielded but when your sick it makes it more difficult.

I can't shield family and very close friends.

But learning how to shield really helps when your are empathic

[Indiangirl]

I answered yes to all of them except the eating one. I am an emotional basket case. Like Fiona, I feel animals' emotions, too. I wish I were as grounded as you, Lady Kamae. The article pretty much covered how I try to handle things now, but I am not as direct with people as she suggested. It helps for me to recognize which feelings are mine and which aren't. I've found recently that sometimes I can go to WM without having a panic attack. I just have to stay very, very focused. I wonder what it feels like to not be an emapth... That seems so relaxing....

[vzy4kat6387]

(09-19-2010 12:29 PM)Fiona Wrote:  That was an interesting read.

I've been told before by friends and my husband that I am quite empathetic.

The thing is, I have at times been over-emotional and over-sensitive. I also feel for other people and animals - I can't tell you the amount of times that I have got distressed or cried about something and embarrassed my husband lol.

I can't help it though... it shapes who I am and the way I see the world, so I don't want to particularly change.

I pick up on other peoples/animals feelings as well. I don't care to change that about myself either, it's who I am. Sometimes the feelings I pick up are sometimes strong, and other times faint. I don't know when it started but it did. And have been an empath since.

[WitchMom78]

I would never change my empathic abilities but I do have to sheild and ground from it (I can unshield at will so I can pick up emotions if needed) because it will drive you batty if you can't learn to control your ability

[vzy4kat6387]

(01-06-2011 09:43 AM)WitchMom78 Wrote:  I would never change my empathic abilities but I do have to sheild and ground from it (I can unshield at will so I can pick up emotions if needed) because it will drive you batty if you can't learn to control your ability

Yeah it can do that too haha.