The balance of good mental health

[white knight]

Every topic in the world is a see-saw. One side negative the other positive and a playground full of see-saws is the playground of life. 

So whatever your mental illness from basically low self esteem or anxiety to several illnesses that cant be sorted out there can be in most cases, a positive to draw from them. Problems escalate when you dont search for positives as maybe you dont think they are there or you dont know how to find them. But a balance is needed everywhere - even empathy as too much empathy can lead to other issue- surprisingly.

I'd suggest most people with empathy are those that can walk in anothers shoes, feel what they endure and therefore be able to comfort them. Any wonder peer advisors like the community champions here can relate to you and pass on suggestions to give you some comfort. But, admittedly you have to have the capacity to convey such communication and you also have to manage your illnesses enough to provide that capacity.

In an article from Science Direct - google "

The Dark Side of Empathy: The Role of Excessive Affective Empathy in Mental Health Disorders

Quote- "Empathy, which is typically regarded as a positive attribute, is now being critically evaluated for its potential negative implications for mental health. A growing body of research indicates that excessive empathy, particularly a high level of affective empathy, can lead to overwhelming emotional states, thereby increasing susceptibility to psychological distress and psychiatric disorders."

And "...empathy for the pain of others can lead to empathic distress, which may manifest as pain."

And "As previously noted, empathic distress can lead to a range of internalizing states. When these internalizing feelings intensify and persist, they may lead to depression (31,42). Depression is characterized by low mood, sadness, lack of energy, insomnia, and inability to enjoy life (79). Extensive studies have reported the association between empathic tendencies and depressive symptoms (29,77,80,81). Both cognitive and affective empathy have been linked to depressive symptoms "

And "Empathic distress can lead to heightened emotional arousal, which, if not regulated, can escalate into anxiety. "

And "Burnout is another significant adverse outcome that may result from excessive empathy."

So this is why balance is essential in your approach to mental health- too much of a good thing is not so good! 

Balance is the key.

TonyWK

[Croix]

Dear Tony~

I agree completely which what you have said, that excessive empathy is not good, no person is a bottomless well of empathy, compassion and the desire to help no matter how much they feel for or relate to others.

I'd like to emphasize what you implied, it is very possible to keep that see-saw in balance by techniques one can employ oneself. An obvious one I use is to limit the amout of time I spend as a champ, not matter how pressing the person I leave unanswered. If my 2-3 hours a day seems to want to creep into a longer time I stop, no matter the situation of the next person I might answer.

Then I'm off to do something completely different that has no hint of the Forum. There are a lot of other techniques including being regularly competently supervised  by a superior that 'gets it' -plus many more

For anyone is this sort of situation it is possible to balance that see-saw, have barriers that stop matters leaking into the rest of one's life, and avoid compassion fatigue, burn-out and all the other aliments that may otherwise arise.

Thank you for raising this important topic

Croix

[randomxx]

Agree 110% Tony and Croix

l've had to curve it all myself to as l've gotten older , l found it just had to be done.

There's lost causes we just have to accept, or others that just won't see or appreciate what you feel - for them, their situation or the help you've tried to be, might even turn round and totally leave you in the dust, or if you or someone else were needing some understanding or empathy next time, they'd leave them in dust too.

But then it's also just mind blowing at just how many good and deserving people there are out there too but unfortunately you realize for your own preservation you just can't help, or worry , or be there or feel for them all, you just can't.

Sometimes when l've mentally turned away these days, l feel like l've now become no better than the most people out there that do just turn away and don't feel a thing, their just so self absorbed, hard, it's just not in them. But you know you aren't like them, it's very very different, but none the less you've just gotta do what you've gotta do - in your case , for yourself.

l don't really like having to be like that but for your own good or, as a friend of mine use to say and it goes through to empathy too, you've just gotta pick your battles.

ps, on a side note Tone,sorry about that but l can't find that thread where we've talked about my vanning and situation earlier but there's some stuff l'd love to run by you on the latest if you happened to speaking of self preservation , had the head space- wouldn't happen to know how to find it would you ?

All the best anyway

rx.