I work as a holistic therapist. I would have never thought that it could be this draining. The people feel fantastic when they leave and I feel like I just ate all of their stress, grief, and sins. I work mostly in aromatherapy, reflexology and Swedish massage. It can be quite a physical workout as well, but lately I just feel so emotionally drained after seeing a client.

Does anyone else take on other people's negative energy through touch?

They are called Psychic Vampires most of them don't know what they are doing there are ways to protect yourself. they take your life energy that you rejuvinate each day.

That's a good explanation. It seems weird to me that it is through touch. I worked in mental health for a long time and never got this type of feeling after just talking to a client. I have only been doing this since last fall and it seems the more strangers that I treat, the worse it gets. It has even been causing me migraines lately and I have never been prone to migraines. I was off for three weeks at Christmas and I mostly slept, sometimes 16 hours a day.

How do you suggest that I protect myself?

HauntedSomerset wrote:


I can tell you what I have personally experienced, which is similar to your dilemma. I say this first because my family and I have and are learning about different things via "personal experience". We don't believe everything that we read and we don't go along with "ritual" means of dealing with negative things.

Now, for what I have experienced that I hope can help you; my wife and I have very stressful jobs as well. I was going through several weeks of negativity that I couldn't shake. Nothing worked. I woke up to it every day. My wife and I went to an event and she bought me a Tibetan quartz crystal pendant. I've read books on what different crystals can do; but I won't believe someone unless I feel it for myself and you have to account for the "placebo effect" as well. I can tell you that within 24 hours of having the crystal, the negativity began leaving. My surrounding conditions didn't change, but my stress level did.

I did some research on this crystal and found that it takes on negative energy.

The metaphysical/new age community has their own kind of doctrine/belief system and as such there are misconceptions found within it. I say this because people can be hurt if they don't research and use personal experience and that voice within to guide them. But this crystal benefitted me tremendously. I gave a friend one of these crystals and it helped him with a physical ailment.

I hope this helps and we wish you the best.

To me it doesn't really fit the definition of psychic vampire imho. A psychic vampire is someone that no matter what you do, they are always dumping their own negative garbage on you. In your case, I see the opposite. Because of your empath abilities, you are able to take their pain and negative feelings onto yourself. Look up some chakra exercises and when you get a quiet place practice them. Seems like you have some blockages that need to be cleared, and this will help.

Steven - I have never owned a crystal and know nothing about them really, but I will give it a try. I live about 10 miles from Glastonbury and there are tons of shops there that sell them. I've just never bothered going into one of them. I'm always too busy raiding the used book stores.

Tresses - I had never heard of a psychic vampire until Norman mentioned it. I have stayed away from anything paranormal other than historical research and my own personal experiences until I joined this site. I have only seen about two episodes of those ghost hunters shows and I'm not up on the lingo. I had to search to see what a ghost box was today. lol

I have almost always seen my empath abilities as a curse. It has caused me to become very reclusive. I love to help people and make them feel better but it seems that I suffer for it. I have actually been taught chankra exercises as part of my aromatherapy course but I have never had any kind of result from it. I will research some more exercises and give it a try.

Thank you for your suggestions!!

Yeah, the Ghost Hunters aren't going to teach you chakra exercises, so don't worry about the lingo. If you don't know what someone here is talking about, just ask. Not a big deal at all, we are all here to learn something. Empath abilities can certainly feel like a curse but they don't have to be. Flushing the negativity out of your body is like one great big sneeze, you'll feel so much better.

HauntedSomerset wrote:


I don't normally recommend such things. I got out of the metaphysical/new age arena just like I did the church as both have many similarities; the first being that you can't believe everything you read or hear without solid research and study.

With that said, I will recommend that you don't believe me. What? I said, don't believe me. Do some research on the subject as well as follow your intuition and sensativity. You can never go wrong if you do that.

Also, you may read some sites; that while they talk about the Tibetan crystal and its properties, will also say regarding other crystals that they bring things like prosperity. If that were true [and it isn't], we'd all be carrying them and I personally would be needing a belt to carry my 10 pounds of prosperity rocks. Lol.

Your intuition may be telling you that you need something other than what I've mentioned. That is the best for you. Also, ask yourself how you first thought when you saw what I recommended. If it didn't register and still doesn't, it may mean that you aren't supposed to go that route. If it's something that seems right, then go for it.

We're all responsible by how we help and direct others. I for one don't want to direct people in the wrong direction. So test it for yourself and all the best to you.

Steven, I appreciate what you are saying. I actually felt positive about your suggestion as I am just starting to learn about the energies in the body from a scientific standpoint. I am preparing to start a 4 year degree program in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. I have been fascinated by what I have learned so far.

I have always been a skeptical person and believe nothing that I hear and only half of what I see. I am open to try new things and let nature run it's course. Either it will work for me or it won't. Either way, I am interested to give it a try as I have never tried any form of crystals and who knows, maybe that's what I've been needing.

I have been healer both in the medical and spirital field in the spirital healing I always go with the son of God without remorse funny you spoke of migraines that seems to be my calling for healing, hundreds of conformations, and psychic vampire there are different degrees at one point or another we all have been one. when you are aware that you are doing it and practice it you are in a different frame. Now the crystal if it works for you great myself I have found the greatest power has been my faith How do I stop people from taking my energy I say a prayer asking for them not to take my energy, simple providing that you mean it. I have also worked with the dieing and I praise you for that.