EMPATHY/MENTAL HEALTH/HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE/MIRROR NEURONS

Learn the Hidden Dangers of Being an Empath and How to Protect Yourself

Being an empath is like walking a tight rope.

An empathetic person can suffer mental and physical anguish when boundaries are crossed. But it doesn't have to be this way.

Understanding the role of empathy in our lives

A person considered an empath is much more than just a shoulder to cry on. An empathetic person possesses so many great qualities: kindness, compassion, a great listener, and they understand and, even to a degree, feel the loss or sorrow another person may feel.

It is considered an admirable quality and is often a trait seen in caregivers, therapists, teachers, to name a few, and they make great friends.

An empathic person will often be susceptible to subtle nuances in a person's demeanor and intuitively know there is some distress in the other person's life.

In often, just a matter of minutes, an empath can feel a shift in the energy.

But when a person exhibits strong empathetic tendencies, they are often referred to in the clinical world as HSP, highly sensitive people, which can lead to problems.

Dr. Elaine Aron describes the term HSP as someone who has increased sensitivity to physical or emotional stimuli.

Traits of a highly sensitive person (HSP)

Someone who demonstrates HSP qualities does not just recognize someone else's emotions. They often feel them for themselves. An article in Healthline reports:

You actually sense and feel emotions as if they're part of your own experience. In other words, someone else's pain and happiness become your pain and happiness.

Signs of a Highly Sensitive Person

· Considered sensitive by those around you.

· being able to pick up on others' emotions. Almost like a sixth sense.

· Feeling deeply touched by the struggles you see others experience

· Seek a calm retreat when things are hectic

· Maintaining a physical space that inspires calm

· Having a deep reflective thought pattern

Why are some of us more sensitive than others?

Researchers believe we all have mirror neurons responsible for how we learn by watching other people perform actions and emotional responses. We then use those to copy the action. It is a form of mimicry.

Research has shown increased brain activation in regions associated with awareness, sensory information, and empathy in HSP people.

This indicates mirror neurons act differently in the brains of HSP than in the brains of non-HSP, demonstrating the increased awareness of empathy in some individuals.

In often, just a matter of minutes, an HSP person can feel a shift in the energy of someone and recognize a level of unhappiness or uncertainty. Not only do they have empathy for the other person, but now they too are feeling the emotions, as though it is happening to them.

In other words, someone else's pain and happiness become their pain and pleasure.

While this is a positive relationship in many cases, what happens when the empath takes on too much?

When being empathetic is dangerous.

For some people, the line between being empathetic can get blurred.

If you can show compassion, lend an ear, and earnestly support someone you know needs a little more caring, you demonstrate the selfless, generous trait of empathy.

But if you find yourself feeling anxious, troubled, or generally overwhelmed by someone else's situation, then this is not good for you.

Another area for concern is if someone has a dependent personality disorder, low self-esteem, or an anxious attachment style, they may discover themselves drawn to someone else's energy and emotions.

Psychology Today raise this concern:

Your emotional intelligence and empathy make you a master at communication, conflict resolution, and inspiring others to action. Unfortunately, you may also slip into people-pleasing and putting others’ needs ahead of your own.

While we all want to help others, we need to remember to take care of ourselves, which is easily neglected by a highly sensitive empath.

Learning to manage your empathy and balance your well being

Early recognition of any disturbance to your emotional well-being is vital to alleviating the toll it takes on you physically and mentally.

Setting boundaries is important in any relationship, but it is often quite challenging to do as an empath. Here are a few ideas on how to take care of yourself and instill some boundaries.

• Reduce the frequency of your contact with the person: A person in distress will find themselves naturally drawn to you for your compassion and can quickly become attached to you. Alternately you may be drawn to them as you seek to find a conclusion to the situation.
• Set aside time for yourself: Take a walk, a soaking bath, pamper yourself.
• Stay active: Do something entertaining with other people outside of the situation/get some exercise.
• Turn off your phone: The situation will not rise or fall because of you not answering your phone.
• Say NO: Your priority is you. You can not be good for anyone, especially yourself, if you are exhausted and overwhelmed.
• Limit your help: Encourage them to seek a professional if they continue to struggle.
• Listen to your body. It will never lead you astray. If it needs rest, give it rest.

Summary

Being empathetic is a beautiful trait to have. But it mustn't turn into something that causes the empath pain and frustration.

The world needs empaths. But we need them to be healthy and happy. If they don't take care of themselves, they can't help anyone else.

Keep your heart open but keep the key to it close by.