KimT75

Empathic?

Posted on 10/25/09, 03:52 am

I'm having a hard time with understanding this and hoping someone on here may be familiar with the experience and know some coping skills.

I've been suffering with a terrrible bout of agoraphobia for almost a year now. I've always been an anxious person but I've been able to work through it. My therapist stated that he believes I am an empath. Now mind you he's a very logical and non-alternative kind of guy, so for him to suggest this was a little strange to me. After doing some research online I'm starting to see myself in a new light, but I'm a little wary of "psychic" things as I feel it will make me sound hokey if I try to talk about it with people I know. I am by no means a clairvoyant or mind reader, but I do feel and "know" things very deeply.

For me agoraphobia has always felt different from what people talk about here. When I go out I'm not afraid of what others are thinking or saying about me, I just get so overwhelmingly tired and anxious that I avoid it at all costs. I literally feel what others are feeling; anger, frustration, sadness, annoyance, elation.... it's just too much. I can feel if someone is genuine or if they are hiding something. I can also go into a building or home and tell if something is "bad". As I've looked back over the last 10 years or so I've noticed a definite pattern to this theory. When I worked in group homes with non-verbal autistic adults I always knew whay they were feeling or needed. I always know when a friend, loved one or even a co-worker is having a hard time. Even on here I can feel what people are going through; my heart breaks when things are hard, I feel their happiness when things go well etc. I've always brushed this off as nothing much, but I'm seeing the pattern more clearly now and it makes sense.

I guess I'm just a little embarrassed as I've never really been into the whole "psychic" thing. I've always been a more logical person and looked for black and white answers to everything. Anyone know about this or have any suggestions on how to block other people's energies so I don't get so bogged down? Feel free to laugh at me too if you want, I won't blame you and will probably laugh right along with you! ;o)

• Reply #1 10/25/09  6:48am
  
  Janvier
  I understand what you are saying. I don't consider myself as being agoraphobic in the way it is usually thought of. I just find certain places & situations to be overwhelming...for the reasons you just listed. I do believe I am an empath. This can be exhausting. I think you ask an important question regarding "blocking other people's energies". I have to put more thought into that. Hopefully someone else can help with suggestions.
• Reply #2 10/28/09  12:21pm
  
  taowalker
  Look at it this way. Everything is energy. We are energetic beings. We are made up of energy (very dense energy), we emit energy, and we sense the energy around us.
  
  Think of yourself as a radio or TV transmitter. You radiate energy. Close to you that energy is strong. As the distance increases, the energy from you decreases as it disperses. Very close to your body, where it is the strongest, this energy field is what some call your "aura". Your emotions, feelings, thoughts, and the states of your mind and body influence your energy field. Some refer to this as "vibes".
  
  Everyone is, to varying degrees, sensitive to the fields of others. When a highly sensitive person is placed in close proximity to a number of other people, the effect can be quite overwhelming, the HSP feeling literally bombarded with the energies of others.
  
  The trick is not to stop it, shield it, block it, or control it. The secret is to live with it, to allow it to happen yet remain unaffected by it. Let the energies wash over you, but do not fight them. Acknowledge the strife of others and allow your energy to radiate compassion and love in response.
  
  When I feel myself reacting to the chaotic energies of others I stop right there, no matter what I'm doing (except driving, of course) and recenter. If I'm with another, I ask them for a moment of quiet. I close my eyes, focus on myself, my emotions, my energy. Starting with my hands hanging at my sides I see my scattered energy field, then I bring my arms up and out as I gather all my fragments in my hands until my hands are together above my head holding all my pieces. Then I bring my hands down to my chest and reintegrate myself into my heart. I find this to be a very calming and recentering act. If you aren't comfortable physically going through the motions in public, then just do them mentally. It's almost as good.
  
  I hope this helps some.
  Blessings and namaste
• Reply #3 10/29/09  5:28am
  
  Janvier
  taowalker...good information. Very helpful. It makes sense to me.
  
  Thank you!
• Reply #4 10/29/09  4:12pm
  
  KimT75
  Thank you so much taowalker! I tried this exercise yesterday and was able to go into 3 different stores with little to no anxiety, (the first time going out alone in over 5 months). There was only one time when a woman was yelling at her husband, (gotta love WalMart), that I felt the vertigo and anxiety hit but I was able to "let it flow" over me and I sent her some calming thoughts. Amazingly she looked right at me when I did this and she smiled. WOW! If I can use this as a blessing instead of a curse I'll be so happy.
  
  Thank you again for your suggestions and advice. It's truly helped and I hope to understand and use it better in the future. :o)
• Reply #5 10/29/09  6:03pm
  
  taowalker
  You are both very welcome, Janvier and Kim.
  
  I'm so glad you had such a postive experience, Kim. The lady arguing with her hubby smiled at you in response to what you sent her. Trust me, she felt it even if she wasn't consciously aware of exactly what it was.
  
  Here is a link to a post I made on the Spritual But Not Religious group some time ago. I believe you will understand what I'm saying and it goes into more detail of the theory I use.
  
  http://www.dailystrength.org/group...
  
  Blessings to you all.
• Reply #6 10/30/09  7:31am
  
  Janvier
  
  
  Kim, your experience is very encouraging.
  
  taowalker, thanks, I will check it out.
  
  I think there is a lot more to be said regarding "energy" especially as highly sensitive people would be more likely to be aware of it.

the highly sensitive person is someone who cares deeply about everything ... feels emotions with great intensity ... highly conscientious ... has a rich & complex inner life ... very intuitive ... needs lots of quiet time & space & freedom