Crawls out of the Empathic Closet...

[Crystal Raven]

...and into the Bunker _inabox_ .

My counsellor thinks I am empathic...I'd like some other opinions please.
I had a really really bad childhood (stories for another day) so I built up ALOT of very strong walls, even to the point of viewing my mother as two seperate people (survival thing apparently). Apparently I have also had PTSD for a number of years and they are now looking to see if I am also Bi-Polar (ain't I a mess?).
Anyhows, as I have begun the tear down and through some of these walls I seem to be getting more and more empathic, especially in my own home where all my "barriers" are down...I take on whatever emotion is around me at the time like if hubby is in a bad mood or if my little one is distressed. I cry at tv shows (sad ones and sometimes happy ones) when no one else does.

The councellor and I were looking at my PTSD and my "zoning" as we have dubbed it, and it seems to happen outside the home when I start to feel too emotional, or may in fact be feeling someone elses emotions.

Is this possible? Anyone else empathic with PTSD? and possibly bi-polar to boot.

I am almost to the point I don't want to go back to counselling (and we have barely started) in case I end up tearing down too many walls and get hurt.

Help please

[LostSheep]

I guess it's something that your counsellor believes in such a thing as empathy. My doctor's been trying to get me to see one, but frankly i think it'd be a waste of time if i tried to explain what i thought was going on with me. I'm like how you say; it's music and random things i pick up in the course of the day that set me off in tears; I can be ok one minute, then just wanting to lock myself away the next. that's why i try to avoid people as possible. (Boy i empathize with this little fella _inabox_ .)

i don't know if i can suggest anything helpful, i just wanted to say that hey, i know where you're coming from. :hugz: if that's any help.

[Crystal Raven]

ty it does help to know i am not alone at the very least

[EternalMaiden]

You are definately not alone! *raises hand*

Though, my empathetic ability doesn't aggrivate my life much. It has before, and still does occasionally, so I'm not sure there will be a solution to it that works like another barrier we tend to build. ;) Here's what I do:

When I'm feeling something that I know doesn't have it's right within me, especially if I know where it's source is. I have to allow myself to feel it for a second, and look at it. "Ultimately this isn't even my problem, I feel for them but what can I do?"
Is it possible you take on some of their emotions as your responsibility? Their feelings are not yours to keep and manifest as your own. It's like this divine reminder that someone you love is feeling something, or this silent communication we have with one another. And because we're in love, we want to help.

I see empathy as a very loving connection we have with others, and like anything else it can get thrown off balance. For me, it happens when I'm in love, it's deeper than "I care for you", it's more "I'm loving for you", and their emotions only effect me for a few seconds.

I hope something I said may be of some help... :)

You're beautiful.
Love and Light

[EternalMaiden]

*...and often times, there isn't anything we can do. That's also okay.

*...and when I say 'in love' I don't mean sexual relationships. I mean intimacy.

[Pesha]

First stay in counseling. That you have a counseler who acknowledges empathy is wonderful. And yes hun, hyou can be an empath if you have PSTD and possibly bi polar. You came to the right place. Welcome.

BB
DS.

[SylverStar]

I agree with Dragonsinger. I know about those walls...and how tearing them down can hurt. I have walls myself...the key I think is to change them into filters...something you can regulate....something you have control over. It does sound like you are empathic. I kinda did the same thing worked on breaking some of my defenses down and starting really feeling others around me. It's a bit unexpected and overwhelming at first because it's something new....and specially if you have your own emotions to deal with as well. But it does get easier the more you learn to recognize others emotions and your own and than also how to filter those.

[Crystal Raven]

That you have a counseler who acknowledges empathy is wonderful
yes i am lucky with the councellor, I was originally referred to her because she does believe in alternatives as opposed to drugs (I won't take meds). And I was stunned she suggested such a thing especially as this is a fairly small town Pop 17,000.

And yes hun, hyou can be an empath if you have PSTD and possibly bi polar
well at least i got that verified...so I am a complete mess :lol:

Is it possible you take on some of their emotions as your responsibility?
I guess this is possible, hadn't actually thought about it.

the key I think is to change them into filters...something you can regulate....something you have control over.
sounds like something i need to learn, any suggestions?

But it does get easier the more you learn to recognize others emotions and your own and than also how to filter those
So there is hope? rhats very good to know ty

and thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply to me _inabox_