EMPATHY FATIGUE

Empathy is defined as being aware of and sharing another person's feelings, experiences, and emotions. It is the ability to understand and share the feeling of others. It is putting yourself in the shoes of others and seeing things from their perspective and allowing yourself to get connected with their emotions. Sympathy is feeling some one’s misfortune as sorrow with out getting involved with it. 

German psychologists translated the word Einfühlung (Feeling in to) into English as "empathy".

Empathy Fatigue

Emotional or physical exhaustion resulting out of constantly caring for others is defined as Empathy Fatigue. When somebody is constantly exposed to traumatic experiences the ability to care is reduced. This reduction in care takes place on account of Empathy Fatigue. There are external factors that decide how people feel about kindness. These factors are a derivative of Parents, Peers, Society and culture and effect how people feel about compassion and helping behavior.

Low empathy is often a result of Narcissistic personality disorder, Anti-social personality disorder or borderline personality disorder. Sometimes you feel so overwhelmed by the sufferings of others that you feel Numb, or you feel that you are not caring more. It generally happens when your capacity to take care becomes overloaded. It can happen to workers in social sector, therapists, care givers and any body related to care giving including the professionals. Any body regularly exposed to emotional pain of others can experience it. You can get it if you are working in high emotional fields constantly. 

What to do when you experience Emotional fatigue

Identify the symptoms and relate and accept them. Increase the level of your awareness.

Set clear boundaries, Decline non urgent requests. Turn off alerts after a specific time of the day.

Practice self-compassion. Tell yourself repeatedly that you are doing the best of what you can.

Take a walk listening to lighthearted music and avoid heavy or overloaded lectures.

Ignite joy and curiosity, cook food, talk to friends, Visit parks, libraries or other shows.

Practice mindfulness, do yoga and meditate.

Conclusion

Empathy Fatigue is not a flaw. It is a signal that you have been deeply caring perhaps without caring for yourself. You need an emotional rest. Understand what is keeping you light hearted, joyous and happy. And follow the path.

WORRYING

Worrying is a result of the belief that I can control everything. When you realise the inherent uncertainty of life you are taking the first step towards liberation from worry. Some amount of worry is experienced by each one of us almost on daily basis.. But a condition known as Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition that causes people to worry excessively. It may be about Money, Relationships, health, politics national or even international etc. And sometimes you may be worrying and not knowing why? It is very important to understand that we cannot control everything we worry about. 

A normal worry is a natural response that everyone resorts to. And excessive worrying is a hinderance that makes you inactive, controls your actions and activities. It is here that worrying becomes a problem.

What can we do about worrying excessively?

·      Identify the reasons for the worry. Understand what is controllable at your level and what is not.

·      Fix up a worry time each day and listen to yourself during that scheduled time. Keep all your worries for that scheduled period of time. You can even calenderise the scheduled time.

·      Ask yourself what if it happens? Empower your actions with the end result.

·      Approach your worries with a curious mind. Examine possibilities and find solutions.

·      Identify your goals and take decisive actions to reach your goals. You have identified your goals and don’t let worries stop you from taking actionable steps to achieve your goals.

·      Do not suppress worries. Think about them positively. Discuss your worries with someone close to you. 

Inputs from various write ups.

(It is hereby made clear that this write up should not be treated as mental health treatment and in no way should be considered as a substitute for a Mental health Professional.)