Are anxiety sufferers Empaths by nature?

[star68]

I am just researching about Empaths and how most of them suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Do you have any insight about it?

Thanks

[GMason]

Yes I would agree with this, we are generally massively empathetic to others.

[star68 in reply to GMason]

We pick every negative energy and that makes us very ill. I told my therapist that when I talk with somebody going through problems I feel their problems like they were mine and I like to help them more than anything, that leaves me totally drained emotionally because I have absorbed this person's negative emotions, as a result I begin with my anxiety.

[GMason in reply to star68]

Yes I agree with that, I can feel the energy in a room if there's too much negativity it's like a weight inside me people don't believe me that I can do that, I am the same when others feel bad it hurts me as actual pain inside

[star68 in reply to GMason]

Do you feel that bad energy triggers your anxiety? Do you start thinking negatively? I find that when I am with hard, rude, arrogant people, narcissistic type of people it knocks my confidence self steam down and my anxiety begins. Unfortunately we have to deal with these kind of people regularly and that can affect us. When I find and Empath I feel relax and at ease it changes the way I look at life, it's a wonderful feeling. But we need to learn how to cope with toxic people by grounding ourselves.

[GMason in reply to star68]

Oh yes for certain bad people or negative behaviour massively effects my anxiety in a very extreme way it hurts very much inside, what methods do you use to protect yourself?

[Hidden in reply to star68]

I hear ya , 😊 same here x

[star68]

Hi again, I have just beginning to learn about it, there is a technique called grounding:

Grounding is a technique that helps keep someone in the present. They help reorient a person to the here-and-now and in reality. Grounding skills can be helpful in managing overhelming feelings or intense anxiety. They help someone to regain their mental focus from an often intensely emotional state

and mindfulness:

Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training.

But I will try to keep away from people that make me feel tense and uncomfortable, but sometimes is not easy, especially if you encounter toxic people at work or within the family

[Bradfordjoiner]

100% true you’ve hit the nail on the head ..... we are great listeners and take everything close to our hearts ... and sometimes it just knocks us to a point where it switches our brains to mis fire ( my explanation) then that’s where people say we are too emotional..... it makes me laugh as we are there for people but when we need a lift people just cannot be found

[rossdav]

Not in my experience. My father and have both suffered anxiety and panic all our lives and we struggle to show empathy or sympathy about anything. It's a standing joke in the family that we might be sociopaths!