Did you know many medications affect empaths much differently than the average person?
For an empath, medications can be like everything else—overstimulating! Empaths are as easily affected by drugs as they are by emotions, food, and health issues.
And to make matters worse, often, when an empath sees their doctor about the anxiety and depression that generally come with being ultra-empathetic, they are sent straight to a psychiatrist to be put on medication. But is this really the best approach?
An identifiable empath trait is a propensity to take on the negativity of others, which may cause challenges in their own emotional stability. Sometimes, firmer boundaries are what’s needed, along with a short time out and a little TLC!
Empaths and Medication
As someone who identifies themselves as deeply compassionate, you might like to know the facts, and the fact is that some medications can cause an absence of empathy.
It’s true!
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that when a group of participants who took Tylenol (acetaminophen) learned about the mishaps of others, they experienced less dismay than those who didn’t.
Yet… nearly 52 million Americans still take this drug every week!
And that is just Tylenol. Imagine what antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds can do.
Some empaths may only use medications temporarily to gain equilibrium, and others may require long-term care for different reasons. If you are an empath who truly needs medication, that’s totally understandable. But it’s important to pay attention to how they affect you. Learning to listen to your body is important because empaths often need lower doses than others.
If you need medication for an emotional reason, like anxiety or depression, you could try deep breathing techniques. These can be utilized and help calm and relax you. Some may do well with just these techniques, and it may be worth a try instead of getting on medication right away.
When you do take medications, just be mindful. Also, consider seeing an integrative or holistic practitioner who might be more willing to consider your subtle energetic needs. Keeping a journal can help prepare you to discuss with your doctor how the medications make you feel so that you do not overdo it or chance shutting your empathy down altogether.
Hopefully, understanding that you are different in this way will help you make the best decisions for your mental and emotional well-being.