Combating Vampires: Emotional Freedom (Part 1)

My brilliant friend Dr. Judith Orloff, who is both an psychiatrist and a gifted intuitive, combines traditional Western medical knowledge with energy medicine and intuitive healing. Her latest book, Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions And Transform Your Life, offers the best of both to help you free yourself from the emotional prisons we have a tendency to inhabit. The post is the first in a series based on Dr. Orloff’s book that aim to help you harness your feminine power by unshackling you from the emotional chains that drag you down. So get ready to rock, girlfriends!

Have you ever been around an emotional vampire? You know what I’m talking about — they suck the energy right out of you and leave you feeling like Dracula just drank a gallon of your life force. While being in the presence of some people leaves you feeling optimistic, energetic, inspired, and connected, being around emotional vampires leaves you depressed, anxious, depleted, and drained.

You know what I’m talking about. You can probably list the people you know who make you feel this way. I know I can. It tires me out just thinking about the kinds of interactions that sap me when I’m with people like this.

How Energy Vampires Operate

Dr. Orloff says, “A vampire goes in for the kill by stirring up your emotions. Pushing your buttons throws you off center, which renders you easier to drain.” You’ll be more susceptible to the influence of vampires if you are:

· Depressed

· Have low self esteem

· Have a victim mentality

· Fear asserting yourself

· Are addicted to people-pleasing

Want to learn how to protect yourself from getting sucked dry? Here are some tips from Dr. Orloff’s book.

1) Determine If You’re Being Sapped By An Emotional Vampire

A quick and dirty way to tell if you’re around an emotional vampire is to assess how you both feel when the interaction between you is complete. You’ll know if someone is an emotional vampire because, when all is said and done, you’ll feel worse; they’ll feel better.

Some common side effects:

· You feel ready for a nap

· You feel like put down or like the rug was pulled out from under you

· Your mood takes a nosedive

· You crave comfort foods or carbs

· You feel like you just got slimed

2) Dos & Don’ts For Dealing With Emotional Vampires

When you find yourself in the presence of a vampire, you’ll need some garlic to ward off the heeby-jeebies that can accompany such an interaction.

DO:

· Take a deep breath to center yourself

· Listen for intuitions signaling danger

· Stay calm and matter of fact instead of going for their bait

· Pause and develop a plan to handle the situation before you react

· Communicate clearly, firmly, and with a neutral tone when setting limits

DON’T:

· Panic

· Talk yourself out of your intuitions or call yourself neurotic

· Blurt out something you’ll regret later or use an accusatory tone

· Fight with the person

· Overeat to medicate stress

Do you have emotional vampires in your life? Or are you one? How do you respond to people who suck you dry? Tell us your stories!

If you’d like to read more about identifying and dealing with emotional vampires, read Judith’s fabulous book. And stay tuned for more posts about Emotional Freedom, here and on OwningPink.com! Part 2 of the series will discuss the different types of emotional vampires and how you can identify them — and protect yourself!

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Howard C.

4:12PM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

I found your article very interesting. I used to work with someone who fits the profile that you have established completley; I dealt with them badly. This is the only time that I have been unable to cope in such a situation. I no longer work with this person, thank God, but should I come across someone like this again the advice you have given will no doubt be very useful.

send a green star

KS G.

5:06AM PDT on May 12, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Camilla V.

2:25AM PDT on May 12, 2011

thanks

Blueberry M.

4:01PM PDT on May 11, 2011

thanks!

Lubna I.

2:11PM PDT on May 11, 2011

i used to put the comfort of some people at the expense of mine , i have some cousins who fit to a t with the vampire theory .. one time i went for a visit over their house,and i left feeling depressed and completely drained of energy to the point of wanting to cry .. some people are filled with negative feelings aaalll the time !! they would drain ur energy and as u said .. they end up feeling good and leave u completely frustrated and down ,i really felt completely drained ,depressed and even sleepy ,, no wonder they call it emotional vampire ,it sure fits the description !
if it doesnt feel right , stay away from those with negative energy ,even if they were ur own cousins .. the minute i stopped seeing these people i felt better , it was like a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders..always listen to ur gut feelings , the problem is , that some people are too nice and wouldnt want to hurt others.. it's ok to be mean,especially to these kinds of people , it is ok to have some enemies :)

Eternal G.

5:14PM PDT on Apr 27, 2011

Yesterday I was seriously attacked by one, since I was completely taken by surprise I can tick most of the boxes in the DON'TS department.
Wish yesterday didn't happen, for today I feel horrid!

Past Member .

8:15PM PDT on Apr 15, 2011

They are hard to avoid and deal with - thanks for the tips! :)

Jon H.

4:20PM PDT on Mar 24, 2011

letting someone use the technique of Vampire draining of energy is letting someone control your every move when no one should be controlled except by them self. Never give in to a controller.

4:13PM PDT on Mar 24, 2011

I avoid people who drain you like vampires of your energy and good deeds you do.

Fareena N.

7:32AM PDT on Mar 16, 2011

Thanks i think i feel the same way too the closest people to me i feel as though they are sucking the llife out of me