Are You Empathic? Little Known Conditions.
/A majority of my clients share a common factor. They are Empathic. Medical professionals commonly misdiagnose empathics because of their ability to absorb and then demonstrate the feelings and illnesses of others, without even knowing it.
One such case is a client who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism – the latest in a string of conditions doctors have determined over the years. (At this writing, recent blood tests reveal that she no longer has hypothyroidism, yet her body still presents as if, further proofing the medical establishment can only do so much.)
The bulk of her symptomology: migraines, body pain and fatigue, greatly reduces with regular sessions with me. I assist her in letting go of the energies of those around her that she has soaked up like a sponge, advise her in ways that can offer protection for her weakened energy boundaries, and work with her underlying issues that have created such vulnerability.
From my personal observations, empaths either learn their sensitivities as survival mechanisms, growing up in abusive or dysfunctional homes, or come more naturally to it as it is a part of their design. There may even be an overlap for some.
According to The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, author Elaine Aron, Ph.D. states that as many as one out of every five people are highly sensitive.
Author Yvonne Perry has a wonderful, easy to read, easy to reference guidebook that I highly recommend for empaths and health professionals alike: Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Negative Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You
You will learn …
Empaths are very likeable people – compassionate, unconditionally understanding, peaceful, joyful, loving, kind, and caring. You most likely will find them ‘in service’ as crisis volunteers, caregivers, nannies, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, teachers, social workers, psychologists, and even parents who consistently care for a child with health or educational issues. You will also find them in the healing arts as massage therapists, energy workers, yoga instructors and the like.
Common denominators can include a feeling of responsibility for others’ happiness and a need to ‘fix’ things that are wrong in others’ relationships, physical bodies and even the world. They want to heal others and make everyone happy, but instead end up absorbing the very thing they are attempting to heal: fear, depression, anger, rage, and more. This makes them easy targets for those who don’t take responsibility for their own choices and seek someone to do everything for them.
From chest pains and stomach cramps to migraines and fever, empaths can manifest symptoms without contracting an actual illness. Later, they learn that their “ailment” coincided with the onset of a friend’s or family member’s illness.
Most likely empaths will have animals in their life, and find solace in the out of doors, where they can discharge some of the energies they have taken on, and re-charge their batteries from ‘empathy fatigue.’
Some will have weight issues. Absorbing stressful emotions can trigger panic attacks, depression as well as food, sex, and drug binges. Some may overeat to cope with these emotional stressors or use their body weight as a shield or buffer.
They can also feel sorry for people no matter who they are or what they have done. They feel the need to stop and help anyone in their path. They can’t pass by a homeless person without giving them money—even if they don’t have it to spare. They also feel horrible when a commercial for the Humane Society shows animals that need a home, and they may rescue more animals than they can possibly care for.
Some empaths don’t do well with intimate relationships. Constantly taking on their partner’s pain and emotions, they may easily get their feelings hurt, desire to spend time alone rather than with the partner, feel vulnerable when having sex, and feel that they have to continually retrieve their own energy when it gets jumbled with that of their partner. They may be so afraid of becoming engulfed by another person that they close up emotionally just to survive.
If this information hits close to home, or feels like a friend or family member, please feel free to pass this along. You never know what a gift of healing you may be giving in return for some of the most caring and thoughtful human beings on this planet.
For more information, you may contact me via this website.
