Highly sensitive empath burn out

Fascinating. Out of interest OP do you have an overbearing mother?

Suggesting a person may be autistic, if done in a sensitive way, is a lot more helpful and kind than suggesting they are a narcissist. I don't think all hsp/empaths are necessarily autistic, but there is definitely overlap in the issues that can arise.

I’m good thanks 💅🏻

I've only ever encountered one person who labelled themself an 'empath' and, in common with the experiences of PP's, she was a pompous pain in the arse. She was incredibly self piteous (thus habitually unhappy) and judgemental (the antithesis of empathy!).

Most of us have the odd scuzzy aspect to our character, life is easier when you accept that without judgement.

I once accidentally touched someone's crystals they'd left in shared kitchen at halls, of course they had a chilled, relaxed reaction...

Just had my flu jab, my 5th Covid jab and all my babies are fully vaxxed

I've always been of the belief that empaths are just neurodivergent.

Either through past trauma or through autism and being hyper empathetic.

In which case I would treat the burnout the same way I would treat autistic burnout, and take the same steps to preventing it in future. If you haven't considered it before I would consider seeking a diagnosis even if the wait lists are long in your area, just so you can get your medical letter to say you are on the wait list as evidence for work.

First, time off. Second, loop ear plugs. Third, reasonable adjustment request where you ask for additional breaks when you're overwhelmed, perhaps work in a smaller team, different part of the office, or more work from home time, or even shorter hours.

You need to distance yourself away from the cause of the negativity.

It may be that the line of work you are in inhibits you from distancing yourself from it so I would consider a new line of work in that instance, and look at retraining options.

Most very sensitive people (incl empaths in that if you believe they exist) have to force themselves to learn how be less sensitive/turn off, because they've seen what happens when they don't. Different things work for different people, and of course we all develop coping strategies to some extent.

Listen to positive / upbeat / relaxing tunes all day (if possible). Get out and have a walk in your dinner hour.

doesnt change that im an empath

What do you believe that being an Empath means?

I mean I don't think 'empaths' are a thing (unless, as some one said, they are on Star Trek) but I am empathetic - and honestly OP you need to toughen up that skin asap.

I care very much about the people I work with and support, it's a passion that keeps me in my job, but I work in a multi agency way and often come across people who care a lot less or who just disagree with me! You have to learn to work with others including those who have different views.

You also need (in many cases within charity/social work) to drop the hero complex - you just can't save/help everyone the most you can probably do is make a tiny difference to a shit life - you make that difference as impactful as possible but never imagine you can solve everything or save everyone, not matter how empathetic you are - that's where the burn out lies.

As an 'empath' I am surprised you aren't more tuned into your co workers feelings and experiences - because they sound cynical and burnt out as well - yet to you they are all 'bad people' and you are 'the good' one - that's not healthy.

It's almost a type of self harming behaviour to work in the field you are in if you are so affected by others emotions. I certainly wouldn't see it as a plus - for you or the people you support. See also high levels of burnout in other caring professions that attract people who can't boundary their emotions but work in a highly stressful environment.

Try accountancy, book keeping, librarianship, science, anything with less emotional inputs.

Maybe you need more crystals… 🤔

As I’ve said (and is being proven more and more on this thread), it’s likely someone who believes themselves to be an empath is simply just autistic. And as definitely been proven by one or two here, they cannot seem to understand the emotional response factor of their autism. It is not a separate entity of being ‘an empath’, it’s still just autistic traits of emotional processing difficulties.

I'm not trying to pick a fight, merely wondering if you're qualified to make the assertion you made.
Also my reference to insult was the use of your little emojis in your 'question'.

I used to have a friend who said she was soooo sensitive that everything was harder for her. Seemed to be because she would openly cry whereas I felt things just as deeply but kept my feelings private. She also definitely felt her ‘sensitivity’ made her a better person. Nope. Just someone who made everything all about her.

Getting burned out from being in a helping role - especially if it's a relentless one - doesn't mean anyone's an empath, or special, or highly sensitive. It means they're a normal human being who can get ground down by this stuff.

Horribly abusive ex husband, also a people pleaser

doesnt change that im an empath

just because you don’t ’believe’ doesn’t mean it’s not true

Get a new job. In the meantime, try to rise above it and not take it personally, and don't get involved in the drama.

I manage an office full of women who are never happy and constantly complain and backstab each other. It's like being sat with the Dementors from Harry Potter, sucking my soul out all day long.

Life's too short for that shit!

Nonoatchristmas
I take my hat off to you for starting to unravel your experiences and find a way forward. I can imagine that's quite a complex package to unpack.

Interesting-but I think everyone has coping strategies to cope with situations and events that they find distressing-from a strict definition stand point, an empath would find it impossible to "switch off" or "tune out" wouldn't they?

It's unkind, and a big jump, to go from not believing someone is an empath to suggesting they are a narcissist. They could be neither, or have something else painful going on.

What? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

im sure the people who come to me for help don’t think I make it all about me… quite the opposite. I get burn out from it.

@Winederlust has a very sensible take on this.

🤣 Hilarious that you now think the term empath is an insult.

Go and read the whole thread rather than trying to pick a fight with me.