As a nurse, I always found it hard to remain objective and distant from the suffering of my patients. I think this has made me a very good nurse, but it has also made my job very draining emotionally and increased the stress and anxiety of my job. Sometimes I wish I weren't so empathetic. Even on this website, I get easily overwhelmed at times by the suffering of others. I find it so hard to detach. I guess its really frustrating now as I can't work due to the severity of my symptoms.

I can definitely relate. I'm a very empathic person, but unfortunately I do not know how to deal with it either.

My suffering from this illness has made me more empathetic towards people. But I wouldn't want anyone to have to have bp

Empathy can be a double edged sword. Once you relate to a person it can go one of 2 ways. You can help but you can also use it to manipulate.

I balance my empathy with narcissism. I relate to people, and I care, I just care about myself more.

Its all about priorities.

Yep, we just get around people and seem to "suck up" all their emotional energies and auras and take them into ourselves and become....different....for awhile. Weird. And stressful.

helpful at times, but you're right - VEry overwhelming at other times. :(

matter of fact, it messes with me Big Time because with some people, I don't know where I end and they begin. :(:(

I am very empathetic too. I think it is important for me to rationalize my empathy. I have overwhelming feelings for the suffering person but I rationalize how I need to proceed with those feelings. I never just react but think it through and respond according to my objective rationalization. It takes alot of practice and I slip from time to time, but it can be conquered. Hugs

You couldn't resist could you...

empathy works for me i find myself on any level with any person and accept anyone which makes me very vulnerable and easily sucked in i have to watch it but sometimes it catches up to me mcate

I was told by the first therapist I ever saw that he thought I felt my feelings much deeper than most people, and was very sensitive to the feelings of those around me.
In first grade, my teacher told my mother I was too nice, and she needed to do something about it, or people would take advantage of my kind nature.
I am not BP, simply unipolar with ADHD (sort of mini BP) and I am creative, BA in Graphic Design, my daughter IS BP1, very sensitive and also almost too nice as a child, very empathetic now too. She is creative and gifted in math(? not from me!) My brother BP, and he is an artist, very sensitive as a child, though not as empathetic as an adult.
I have had to learn to detach sometimes from people and problems that I can not fix. I learned that if I am the only one trying, and they arent doing anything to help themselves, it is too draining.

I provide healthcare and unfortunately it swings with my moods. I'm usaully very empathetic,sensitive and insightful. But sometimes I'm apathetic,irritable and shut-off. Its very frustrating.

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