Highly sensitive empath burn out

[Keepingscore]

So, this is me and looking for opinions on how to manage this trait, especially at work. I work in the charity sector so whilst being empathic and a degree of sensitivity is good when supporting our users and their families it isn't so good working in a toxic team culture, my team members do not share my sensitivity or empathic approach.

It affects me to the point where I am not able to work in a room where there is a lot of negativity, gossip and narcissim. I find it draining. I appreciate we can't all work in positive environments but how do I get over this? it is getting me down and I am regularly burnt out.

This has always been an issue for me so indeed the less people I work with in a team or office the better i am. However this is not always possible, at least not in my field of work. I have pretty good boundaries and don't take on more work than is necessary, I look after my needs and generally say No when I don't want to do something.

Is there anybody who is also an empath/highly sensitive who can share some nuggets of wisdom?

Meanwhile people who decide to take the time to type out a rude insult to something they don't agree with/don't understand are???

Interested to see the answer to this...

I agree!

You don't sound all that empathetic as to why your colleagues feel negative.

Find an echo chamber. Yeah, that'll do it.

I could have said nothing, but the post reminded my of people in my life who behave in this way but it is not politic to respond in the way I did to the OP to her, so presumably I welcomed the opportunity to talk about it here.. To me it seems like a very Gen Z phenomenon and I am presuming the OP falls into that category. I can't quite remember what I wrote so I don't know if I was poking fun, but the OP came across as very superior and so I suppose that made me want to poke fun at her so she could join her fellow humans on an equal footing.

Empaths don't feel superior 🙄

I'm not in any cults, we've had a discussion and while I see merit in some of your points, I don't share your overall conclusion.

That's ok, different views are allowed.

I would say at least ONE does! I refer you to opening post..

OP - empathic burnout is real. Negativity and gossip are hard to be around. Look up books on being a “highly sensitive person” and on energy vampires - there are some good ones, and you might find some helpful advice.

Focus on eating right, gentle exercise, sleep. Try journaling, if not already doing so.

Don’t get sucked in. Keep your own counsel.

Be good to yourself. Sending hugs.

No it was joke, the poster was so busy telling me off that they misspelt "empathy" as enpathy, which I was very maturely pointing out, I also misspelt "idea" as "ideal" as a bit of an in-joke to help diffuse the tension, perhaps even build some bridges; its what an empath would do :)

Then they edited their post which kinda ruined everything.

It has been my observation in life that the people who I have encountered who would describe themselves as empaths are the people who I would identify as being highly self absorbed, inconsiderate of other peoples’ feelings, and demanding of a high level of validation.

Well said!

Aaaggh this is so annoying. Can you not see the double standard???!!!! What else is the OP doing but being negative and gossiping about her colleages!

@nonsenseaddict

I can make no sense of your post. Your name seems apposite.

I think empath is a misnomer – often, ime, when people talk about being an ‘empath’ (ie unusually empathetic to others), what they are actually talking about is being very sensitive, particularly to others’ moods, and in a way that destabilises their own mood.

What doesn't make sense?

@Watchkeys what is the point of engaging with me?

What else is the OP doing but being negative and gossiping about her colleages

She's looking for a solution to a situation she finds negative, and talking about her colleagues behaviour in a non-personal way, in a completely unrelated setting. It's neither negativity nor gossip.

How is saying you find your colleagues negative not being negative???!!!!

@Watchkeys why do you keep engaging with me?

@Hibiscrubbed Ugh. So sorry for your loss and she sounds truly obnoxious.

When I was raped and was trying to get the bloke prosecuted, a New Ager said to me 'I'm having nothing more to do with this negative energy.'
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Also, these HSPs/'Empaths' seem to lack the self-awareness to realise how calling themselves an empath etc comes across to others. Which kind of gives the lie to the whole thing.

OP - autistic and sensory processing burnout is real.

Social cues are often hard to partake in, and what is typical chat to most people, such as ‘gossiping’, can seem highly irritating and cause you much discomfort, almost to the point of it feeling painful.

Look up therapy and a possible diagnosis, the former can be tailored to help with coping mechanisms in a neurotypical work environment, especially when facing emotional meltdowns.

Dont get suckered into a new Social Media self ID label or cultist on the internet. Get real help.

That makes sense, hence also my repeated comments about developing coping strategies which help keep balance during and destress after. Empaths/HSP don't want to be really sensitive, it's a trait that needs constant managing.

@Nonoatchristmas as an autistic i will say absolutely it is very real