{"id":9199,"date":"2023-12-02T02:07:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T19:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9199"},"modified":"2023-12-02T02:07:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T19:07:18","slug":"how-to-identify-and-deal-with-energy-vampires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=9199","title":{"rendered":"How To Identify and Deal With &#8216;Energy Vampires&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">D<\/span>o you ever talk to a friend and just feel utterly drained after? Maybe you\u2019re emotionally spent or need some time to decompress alone, or you feel overwhelmed by their problems with barely any mental space left to process your own. If any of this sounds familiar, you may have been zapped by an energy vampire. And regaining agency over your energy will require learning how to deal with energy vampires both in the moment and outside of interactions with them.<\/p>\n<p>Like the term insinuates, an energy vampire is someone who sucks the energy out of someone else through the ways in which they approach conversations. Anyone in your life can take on this role\u2014a friend, family member, coworker, or someone else\u2014and while it\u2019s not necessarily intentional, the impact will always be to leave you feeling overwhelmed or under-resourced in the wake of your interactions with them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"\">\n<hr\/>\n<div class=\"experts-in-article noskim py-[24px] px-[40px]\">\n<p>Experts In This Article<\/p>\n<ul class=\"!ml-[18px]\">\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbercreekcounseling.com\/dr-andrew-cuthbert\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.timbercreekcounseling.com\/dr-andrew-cuthbert\">Andrew Cuthbert, PsyD<\/a>, clinical psychologist and clinical director at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbercreekcounseling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.timbercreekcounseling.com\/\">Timber Creek Counseling<\/a>, in Michigan <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/hetexted.com\/about-us\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/hetexted.com\/about-us\/\">Callisto Adams, PhD<\/a>, dating and relationship expert and coach, and founder of dating advice platform HeTexted <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/therapist\/il\/joleann-joey-trine\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/therapist\/il\/joleann-joey-trine\">Joey Trine, LCPC<\/a>, therapist and regional clinic director at <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/aurora-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/aurora-therapy\/\">Thriveworks<\/a>, in Aurora, Illinois <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/drlesliedobson.com\/about-us\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/drlesliedobson.com\/about-us\/\">Leslie Dobson, PsyD<\/a>, clinical and forensic psychologist <\/li>\n<li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minaab.com\/about-minaa\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.minaab.com\/about-minaa\">Minaa B., MSW, LMSW<\/a>, licensed social worker and mental health educator <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<hr\/><\/div>\n<p>While, in some cases, you may be able to simply end your relationship with this person to preserve your energy or otherwise <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/emotional-detachment-relationships\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/emotional-detachment-relationships\/\">emotionally detach from them<\/a>, in other cases, you may need or want to keep seeing or spending time with them. (Perhaps they\u2019re a relative, for example, or your manager at work, or even just a friend whom you don\u2019t necessarily want to lose.) In the latter scenario, learning how to deal with energy vampires will be essential to continue spending time with this person without feeling all but lifeless at the end of every interaction.<\/p>\n<p>Below, relationship experts share how to identify energy vampires in action, the reasons why people might fall into this tendency, who may be most susceptible, and how you can learn to deal with energy vampires\u2014no matter when and how they may strike.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-deal-with-energy-vampires\/\" current-title=\"How To Identify \u2018Energy Vampires\u2019 and Keep Them From Sucking the Life Out of You\" current-image=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ilkermetinkursova_418x278_true_70.webp\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-06-01\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-deal-with-energy-vampires\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-deal-with-energy-vampires\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-deal-with-energy-vampires\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>4 signs that a person is an energy vampire<\/h2>\n<h3>1. They only take and never give in your relationship<\/h3>\n<p>Anyone who is constantly demanding of your support or attention while rarely offering up any of their own is likely an energy vampire. This might look like the friend who always calls to vent or unload on you but doesn\u2019t pick up the phone when you ring them, or the partner who only seems to engage with you when you\u2019re helping them with a problem.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cAs soon as they are done speaking, you have sympathized with their situation, and it\u2019s your turn to share some news, they have to run and hang up the phone.\u201d \u2014Leslie Dobson, PsyD, clinical and forensic psychologist<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cAs soon as they are done speaking, you have sympathized with their situation, and it\u2019s your turn to share some news, they have to run and hang up the phone,\u201d says clinical and forensic psychologist <a href=\"https:\/\/drlesliedobson.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/drlesliedobson.com\">Leslie Dobson, PsyD<\/a> of an energy vampire in action. \u201cThis person is always taking and never giving in return.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Relationship therapist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minaab.com\/about-minaa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.minaab.com\/about-minaa\">Minaa B., LMSW<\/a>, notes that energy vampires are particularly known for unhealthy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/emotional-dumping\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/emotional-dumping\/\">emotional dumping<\/a> or venting, or using a relationship solely for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/effects-co-rumination\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/effects-co-rumination\/\">co-rumination<\/a>. \u201cThey will assume you are always ready to hear their drama or their negative experiences, and they will dump them on you with no warning,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<h3>2. They&#8217;re pessimistic<\/h3>\n<p>For the energy vampire, \u201csomething is always going wrong,\u201d says Minaa. \u201cThey reject any kind of positive alternative thought and seem to be only interested in staying in a dark, angry, or sad place.\u201d By claiming such a negative state of being, they also have a rationale for expecting you to provide them with endless emotional support, she adds\u2014even if you were the one who originally came to them for support.<\/p>\n<p>That said, occasional pessimism alone does not necessarily make someone an energy vampire. \u201cHumans are imperfect, and everyone has bad days, so differentiating between a friend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/vent-writing\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/vent-writing\/\">venting about a bad day<\/a> and an energy vampire can be tough sometimes,\u201d says therapist <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/therapist\/il\/joleann-joey-trine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/therapist\/il\/joleann-joey-trine\">Joey Trine, LCPC<\/a>, regional clinic director at <a href=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/aurora-therapy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/thriveworks.com\/aurora-therapy\/\">Thriveworks<\/a>, in Illinois. For example, a coworker making hopeless statements about your company or a friend who talks negatively about other friends may be an energy vampire, or they may just be upset about something, she says.<\/p>\n<p>To parse one from the other, Trine recommends considering whether this person has a regular pattern of pessimistic behavior, and if you almost always feel drained after interacting with them. If both things are true, you likely have an energy vampire on your hands.<\/p>\n<h3>3. You feel used by them and uncomfortable in their presence<\/h3>\n<p>If you feel the urge to avoid this person, feel on edge around them, or typically end conversations feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or otherwise uncomfortable, they\u2019re probably an energy vampire.<\/p>\n<p>By a similar token, you could be dealing with an energy vampire if \u201cyou feel anxious before you spend time with them, you don\u2019t feel like yourself [with them], or you [resent] the time you\u2019ve spent with them once it\u2019s over because of how they made you feel or how [little] energy you have left for your life and other loved ones,\u201d says Dr. Dobson. In this way, you could feel used or intruded upon by them, she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Along those lines, an energy vampire may implement unhealthy tactics, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-tell-if-someone-is-manipulating-you\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-tell-if-someone-is-manipulating-you\/\">such as manipulation<\/a> and guilt-tripping, \u201cto make people feel bad for not wanting to engage in their drama or stories as a way to get continued attention,\u201d Minaa says.<\/p>\n<h3>4. You feel morally obligated to give them attention and support<\/h3>\n<p>\u2026even when you feel as if you aren\u2019t really helping them, or they don\u2019t want your help. There\u2019s often a feeling of fear or anxiety that if you don\u2019t give them the exact kind of support they want or need, you might upset them, so you wind up walking on eggshells around them (which is part of why being in their presence can be so draining).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFiguratively, it\u2019s like they&#8217;re entitled to disrespect you and your time, but you have to be perfect and not disturb or disrupt their peace, otherwise you\u2019re a perpetrator within seconds,\u201d says relationship expert <a href=\"https:\/\/hetexted.com\/author\/hetexted\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/hetexted.com\/author\/hetexted\/\">Callisto Adams, PhD<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>What causes someone to become an energy vampire?<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s worth reiterating that people can act as energy vampires intentionally or unintentionally, and with or without malice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are many reasons why someone might suck the energy out of a friend or loved one,\u201d says clinical psychologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timbercreekcounseling.com\/dr-andrew-cuthbert\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.timbercreekcounseling.com\/dr-andrew-cuthbert\">Andrew Cuthbert, PsyD, LP<\/a>, clinical director at Timber Creek Counseling.\u201cWe might [initially] focus on how a person can be intentionally self-centered and self-absorbed; however, I think it\u2019s more compassionate also to notice the incredible complexity of people and their backgrounds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Cuthbert encourages considering <a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/bronfenbrenner.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.simplypsychology.org\/bronfenbrenner.html\">Bronfenbrenner\u2019s ecological systems theory<\/a>, which shows how everyone&#8217;s behavior is influenced by micro- and macro-systems, including familial input, laws, social norms, mass media, and more. That\u2019s to say, it\u2019s possible that an energy vampire is acting in such a way because of a complicated mix of external influences\u2014rather than out of selfishness. For example, even if the person is unwilling to consider other points of view, that\u2019s \u201cmore complex than them simply wanting to do others harm,\u201d says Dr. Cuthbert.<\/p>\n<p>Below, find a few specific internal reasons why someone might intentionally or unintentionally become an energy vampire.<\/p>\n<h3>Having an anxious attachment style<\/h3>\n<p>A person\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/adult-attachment-styles\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/adult-attachment-styles\/\">attachment style<\/a>\u2014secure, anxious, or avoidant\u2014describes the ways in which they form and maintain relationships and is developed in response to experiences with caregivers during childhood. Those with an anxious attachment style struggle with vulnerability and intimacy, often seeking reassurance from a partner that they still like them and want to be with them\u2014which can just as quickly turn them into an energy vampire.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf a person has an anxious attachment style, with a desire to control those around them, set impressions, and prevent any abandonment in a relationship, they may suck the energy out of another person who is empathic, loving, or emotionally available,\u201d says Dr. Dobson. This kind of behavior may not be intentional, she adds; perhaps the person experienced a lack of support or trust in a previous relationship, and now, they\u2019re just constantly seeking reassurance of that support in a way that\u2019s inadvertently draining their partner.<\/p>\n<h3>Needing support<\/h3>\n<p>It may be the case that the person constantly making demands of your attention genuinely is in need of care or is looking for connection or comfort, says Trine.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps they simply do not realize that the requests they\u2019re making for your support are indeed draining you, or that the unsolicited stories they\u2019re sharing of the difficulties in their life are reflective of emotional or trauma dumping. \u201cThe presumption that an individual \u2018should know better\u2019 regarding an undesired behavior is distorted thinking that everyone operates in the same framework,\u201d says Trine.<\/p>\n<h3>Desiring power or control<\/h3>\n<p>In some cases, a person might become an energy vampire on purpose to gain an edge over other people. After all, if they manage to dump their problems on others or otherwise suck the life out of them, they might be relatively better positioned for success or personal progress.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIntentional energy vampires are more likely to be interested in personal preservation, or they feel a need to be competitive,\u201d says Trine. You may see this with coworkers or family members who feel a power struggle or aren\u2019t getting what they want, she adds.<\/p>\n<h3>Feeling like a victim<\/h3>\n<p>In other words, they probably <em>don\u2019t <\/em>relate to Taylor Swift\u2019s <em>Anti-Hero<\/em> lyric: \u201cIt\u2019s me, hi, I&#8217;m the problem, it\u2019s me.\u201d (Sorry, I had to.) Rather, they don\u2019t feel like they\u2019re the problem (ever) and prefer to pass the blame to everyone else.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis person is in constant need of validation and has a tendency to see themselves as the victim in every situation,\u201d says Dr. Adams. She believes this may be due to unresolved trauma, difficulty feeling present, or primarily focusing on feeling validated and justified, which may be tied to deep-seated insecurity.<\/p>\n<h2>Who is especially susceptible to energy vampires?<\/h2>\n<h3>Empaths (and other empathetic people)<\/h3>\n<p>Energy vampires love an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/empath-vs-empathic\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/empath-vs-empathic\/\">empath\u2019s compassion<\/a> and willingness to be supportive, Minaa says. Those are great qualities\u2014don\u2019t get us wrong, empaths\u2014but energy vampires tend to take advantage of them, which can make it even tougher for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/boundaries-empathetic-people\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/boundaries-empathetic-people\/\">empathetic folks to set effective boundaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe more they are around energy vampires, the more they may find themselves feeling emotionally depleted from the constant emotional waves they experience when listening to energy vampires dump,\u201d says Minaa. After all, empaths are the ones who are most prone to taking on someone else\u2019s emotional baggage as their own\u2014which can stoke worry and unrest, she says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmpaths may also be prone to doing the accountability work of others in order to fix people or help them heal,\u201d adds Minaa, which can make them ideal targets of energy vampires.<\/p>\n<h3>People who are non-confrontational<\/h3>\n<p>Those who wouldn\u2019t think to challenge or confront someone about emotional dumping or frequent requests for help are also prime suspects for energy vampires, says Trine. It\u2019s easier for an energy vampire to complain to someone and receive the validation they seek if that person doesn\u2019t pick a fight or put up any resistance, she explains.<\/p>\n<h3>People who are open and agreeable<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cPeople high in agreeableness (more selfless, submissive, and naive), low in extroversion (non-assertive, reserved), and high in openness (highly curious and eager to learn) are likely the type of people who will give more time to an energy vampire,\u201d says Dr. Cuthbert, referencing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/big-five-personality-test\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/big-five-personality-test\/\">five-factor model of personality<\/a>, which considers measures of openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.<\/p>\n<p>Put simply, adds Dr. Cuthbert, those who easily attend to others, don\u2019t easily advocate for their own energy, and are generally open-minded will be at high risk of getting taken advantage of by an energy vampire.<\/p>\n<h2>How to protect yourself from or deal with energy vampires<\/h2>\n<h3>Set boundaries (and more boundaries)<\/h3>\n<p>Friendly reminder that it\u2019s okay and good to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-set-healthy-boundaries\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-set-healthy-boundaries\/\">set boundaries<\/a>! That might look like setting parameters around when you\u2019re available to be reached by a coworker, how much time you can offer a friend on the phone, or what kinds of topics you feel open to discussing in order to protect your energy and your peace.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Dobson encourages outlining such boundaries when you first meet a person and\/or throughout the relationship (depending on the nature of your connection) and reinforcing them whenever they are crossed.<\/p>\n<p>To spare yourself from an energy vampire, keep a close eye on how your new relationships with people progress and how those peoples\u2019 <em>other <\/em>relationships look, says Dr. Dobson. In particular, keep an eye out for patterns: For example, Minaa says, \u201cDo they have a tendency to call you to dump without asking if you have the space to hear their problems?\u201d In this case, you could set boundaries around when you answer their calls, or say upfront, \u201cI sense you\u2019re going through a difficult time at the moment, but I don\u2019t have the energy right now to be of assistance. I can call you back when I am in the right headspace to have this conversation,\u201d suggests Minaa.<\/p>\n<p>The same thing goes if you notice such patterns forming in existing relationships. Remember: You are always free to reiterate your boundaries when they are ignored or set new boundaries in an old relationship if the person on the other side begins to drain your energy.<\/p>\n<h3>Be mindful of how much energy you choose to give<\/h3>\n<p>Dr. Cuthbert believes it\u2019s possible to train yourself to expel less emotional energy\u2014even in the presence of energy vampires. \u201cOne simple technique is to imagine your emotional input as a dimmer switch,\u201d he says. \u201cAs you go into an interaction, you can adjust how much of your energy you want to offer up to the person.\u201d The idea? While you can\u2019t control how much energy any given person might demand of you, you<em> can<\/em> control how you respond, he says.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cAs you go into an interaction, you can adjust how much of your energy you want to offer up to the person.\u201d \u2014Andrew Cuthbert, PsyD, clinical psychologist<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>For example, when Dr. Cuthbert recently fell victim to an energy vampire, his partner encouraged him to worry less about the other person\u2019s happiness and put his attention elsewhere. \u201cWhy give so much energy to them when they pay so little attention to you?\u201d she asked him. It\u2019s a valuable lesson for anyone learning how to deal with energy vampires: At the end of the day, we\u2019re all in charge of our own energy reserve and can do with it what we please.<\/p>\n<h3>Consider seeing how they respond when you\u2019re honest with them<\/h3>\n<p>As noted above, some energy vampires aren\u2019t aware of the ways in which they\u2019re sucking the life out of those around them. In which case, it may be worth communicating with an energy vampire in your life and letting them know how their actions are affecting you.<\/p>\n<p>According to Dr. Cuthbert, relationships of any depth will move through periods where one person may be receiving more support than they\u2019re getting, and vice versa. By surfacing the issue, you can alert the energy vampire in question that you\u2019re nearing your limit in terms of the support you can offer them and that it\u2019s their turn to start giving a bit more than they\u2019re taking.<\/p>\n<p>This conversation might also bring to light some reasons in their life why they might be needing so much care or support and allow you to come up with other ways they might receive it (that don\u2019t involve dumping on you).<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is a gift to have relationships with others who are not just willing to attend to the simple ways they may give or take your energy, but who are also willing to take responsibility for mistakes, sit with emotional complexity, and care for you as a whole person,\u201d says Dr. Cuthbert. \u201cEven as we may step on each other\u2019s toes, we can find better ways to dance together.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you ever talk to a friend and just feel utterly drained after? Maybe you\u2019re emotionally spent or need some time to decompress alone, or you feel overwhelmed by their problems with barely any mental space left to process your own. If any of this sounds familiar, you may have been zapped by an energy &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9200,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9199"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9199\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9200"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}