I think I'm TOO empathic.

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It never fails. Whenever someone I care about is in an upset or agitated mood, I get upset too. It's as if their mood is impinging on mine, and I soak it up and reflect it.

My Aspie friend is usually happy to see me, and I'll stay until late and he'll hug me when I leave. But last night he had a bad depressive bout. He was saying all sorts of things about how life wasn't worth it, and he wasn't accomplishing anything, and nothing had any point. It was all very familiar to me because I'm depressed too, and I started to feel quite bad. I felt guilty too, because I wanted to help but in that state I was sure I wouldn't do any good.

I got a little weepy and I'm afraid this might have set him off. He asked me why in all hell I stayed if he was so unpleasant. I said I didn't think he was unpleasant, he was just feeling miserable right now. But he snapped that he wasn't miserable, he was just frustrated and didn't need an audience for his frustration.

So I left. I didn't like leaving him like that, but I figured he'd had his fill of social interaction and needed solitude. Now I'm worried, though. I'm worried that he'll do something self-destructive. I'm worried that he'll never get any help with this, even though he desperately needs it. I'm afraid he'll keep wasting his money on expensive herbal remedies instead of trying things that actually work. And I'm determined that Something Must Be Done, because I have had enough and I don't want to keep feeling miserable.

And I can't stop crying today.

I can relate. I'm the aspie in the relationship with a friend of mine. Yes, I've been abnormally depressed lately but she had a serious episode where she broke down literally for hours... she is getting better thankfully... but each day she comes over I can literally feel the sad coming off of her and it influences me something major. (Of course, I don't feel this from anyone else... )

I'm no good with my own emotions, let alone when I'm feeling someone elses so not sure what help I'll be. But I will say, if he is your friend.. explain things to him like you did here. Then try to cheer him up.


Now if you can tell me how NOT to feel my friends pain... let me know...

I don't know if you believe in this sort of stuff , but you could try psychic shielding. Just close your eyes and imagine a box surrounding you and no ones negative emotions can get inside of it. They just bounce right off .

Imagine this box being around you all of the time and protection you from negative emotions . hope this helps.

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