Psychic Problems: “Overly Empathic” & Indistinguishable Feelings
As I've stated previously before, one of my psychic abilities is being Empathic. I can pick up on other people’s emotions. Here’s the thing, the stronger the connection I have with someone, the better I can pick up on these things across wide distances. (Picked up on Friend’s emotions who as visiting Europe, or other friends who live in different states or cities over). For me, they don’t have to be exactly next to me anymore.
On one hand, this proves to be very useful. I use my abilities to help people, of course, if I can. Some of my friends have varying forms of severe depression and anxiety/ severe anxiety. Often times if my friends are having a bad experience or struggling with mental health, then I am able to know without them telling me, so then I’m able to do something to help. Is this an invasion of privacy? Yes-- although, I can’t help it much, and I do wait until they tell me first (I just have “good timing” when I drop by). If they’re struggling pinpointing what’s wrong, usually I can help. I’ve learned how to apply my empathic abilities to help those figure out their own feelings and how to solve them-- to talk things through with them. I’ve helped so many times by doing this. If my friends (and family) are having a bad time, then I’ll be able to pick up on it.
The downside is that if my friends/family are having a bad time, then I’m going to pick up on it. This applies to anyone, actually, strangers, too. As mentioned, I literally have little control over it--- I barely have a “filter,” and I don’t know how to block. I’m going to feel it, and sometimes, I won’t be able to tell where it’s coming from. So, as once mentioned, I have PTSD & Insomnia which is often worsens by my level of stress and anxiety I feel. If I don’t control myself, this can become a little toxic. If there’s a friend that I’m trying to help-- for example, work on their sleep schedule and improve healthy habits--- I don’t know why, I just get in sync. If they stay up late because they’re emotionally not the best, then I will, too-- and I won’t be able to tell if it’s them or if it’s my insomnia. If someone I know is practicing self destructive habits (abusive drinking, smoking, other self destructive acts), then even if I don’t see it or know about it, I’m going to feel those affects on me. Now, because of this, I’ve developed a habit that I’m not trying to break. When it would be persistent, I used to become obsessive with what’s wrong with anyone so I can go in and fix it-- and it wasn’t just for the goodness of my heart anymore (because, honestly, still first and foremost, if I feel like something’s wrong, I panic for that person), but also so I can feel better for myself, too, because it just wouldn’t stop. I honestly used to get so upset at some of the people I know (friends, strangers, family who know I’m Psychic) because when they would refuse to take care of themselves or act self-destructively, I would think to myself--- “They know I pick up on this. I’ve explained how these things affect me, too. Do they not care?” It wasn’t like I could go to a therapist either-- how do I explain that I’m Psychic, and even if they did believe me, how would they be able to help me with this? It’s not like it as my own feelings. I would literally feel stuck.
I’ve learned that I had to distance myself in situations like that. If someone needs help, sure, I’ll help, but only if they’re willing to put in the effort to help themselves, too. If not, I have to back off and leave, distance myself a little. If I’m feeling distressed, but not quiet sure why, I go through a checklist: Am I feeling upset about this? Would I normally feel upset about this? Would I normally feel upset at this level? Does this feel natural to me, like they’re my own? Or do they feel sudden and foreign? Some of my friends are learning to actually message me and give me a heads up if they’re struggling with their mental health at that moment, and then telling me they’re working on it and not to worry-- and I really appreciate that because then I’m able to distinguish feelings better, and work on separating myself better.
You see, other than it simply being important and useful to tell hat your feelings are versus what you’re picking up from other people psychically, it’s more so important for me to do so because I have PTSD (& Insomnia). It’s important to tell the difference so I can keep my own mental health in check. I don’t want to assume that any negative thoughts and feelings I’m experience are from someone else and brush them off like they’re nothing when they actually do come from me, and I don’t want to accidentally assume my mental health is worse than it is, do something to treat it, and it turns out that it was unnecessary because it stemmed from an outside source.
You might have guess that this post is inspired because I’m currently experiencing this right now. I still struggle with this, but I learn and work on it-- learning to work on recognizing what’s me and what might be from someone else, how to filter things out and tend to myself. You can never go wrong with taking care of yourself.