Psychic vampires, also called energy drains or energy suckers, are people who unknowingly drain others' emotional resources. This behavior is often a result of mental health conditions, attachment types and past trauma.
They can show up as a toxic coworker, client or family member who leaves you emotionally exhausted. Learning how to recognize and address these behaviors can help you protect yourself and preserve your energy.
1. Practice makes perfect
The phrase “practice makes perfect” is a truism that applies to any skill or activity, and the same goes for feeding as a psychic vampire. We practice regularly to improve our skills and become better at what we do, so we can get better at generating energy.
This means that we have to practice how to set boundaries with people who drain our energies. Whether it’s someone we work with, our family members, or our friends, if we want to protect ourselves from these drainers we need to set boundaries that help us maintain a healthy balance of energy.
One of the simplest ways to start setting boundaries with an energy vampire is to simply let them know you don’t want to spend time with them anymore, even when they say they’re okay with it. This is a conversation they won’t like and it can be difficult, but it’s necessary to protect yourself from their toxic behavior.
It’s also a good idea to take care of yourself and make sure you are getting enough sleep, nutritious food, exercise, and relaxation. This will help you to recover from the stress and exhaustion that can come from interacting with an energy vampire.
Practicing these self-care techniques will not only help you feel more empowered and healthy, it will also prevent you from becoming a victim of toxicity in your own life. It will keep you focused on your own health and well-being, allowing you to be the best version of yourself.
You might want to consider seeing a therapist if you are feeling especially vulnerable or overwhelmed by the draining behavior of energy vampires in your life. A therapist can help you learn to trust yourself, develop self-care skills, and find healthier ways of handling interactions with these people.
2. Set boundaries
Do you have people in your life who take more of your energy than they give? They may be draining your resources and leaving you exhausted, irritable and unsupported.
Some energy vampires are even unconscious of their behavior. This is why you may find it hard to stop them.
One way to fight them is to set boundaries. This doesn’t make you mean, but it does ensure that they know you want them to respect your needs and wants in the relationship.
In addition to setting boundaries, you can also take steps to protect your emotional energy and refocus your attention on what matters most. For example, if you feel drained by someone, you may need to limit their presence in your life or remove them from your social circle entirely.
You can do this by limiting the amount of time you spend with them, avoiding social events where they will be present, and cutting back on their involvement in your work life. If you must interact with them, bring along a friend to reduce the impact on your energy and keep your focus on what is important to you.
Avoiding these situations can be a challenging process, but it is essential to protect your health and well-being. The more drained you become, the more likely it is that you will develop anxiety or depression or other symptoms of stress.
In the end, though, it is worth it to fight back against those who try to drain you. You can do this by learning to identify these types of people and developing strategies to combat them. It will allow you to move forward in a stronger, healthier and more fulfilling way.
3. Take care of yourself
A psychic vampire is someone who saps your emotional energy, either intentionally or unconsciously. They can be friends, family members, partners, colleagues or neighbors who feed on your willingness to listen and care for them.
The vampire’s behavior leaves you feeling drained, stressed, depressed, and overwhelmed. You may feel like you want to run away and never come back.
You don’t have to let these people drain your energy — there are ways you can avoid this. The first step is to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of an energy vampire.
For example, they often play the victim card — they’ll find any slight that they can point to and use it to justify their behavior. They also tend to focus on the negative aspects of their lives, even if they’re surrounded by the positive things.
These behaviors also tend to leave you feeling emotionally drained and stressed, as they make you feel guilty for not providing them with the care and attention they deserve.
One way to prevent energy vampires from draining your energy is to set boundaries with them. For example, you can limit your time with them or choose activities that are less draining for them.
Another strategy is to learn to take better care of yourself, so that you can be stronger and more resilient. You can practice this by setting aside time each day to rest, relax, or rejuvenate yourself.
You can also practice self-compassion, which can help you release tension and boost your mood. Taking good care of yourself is important for your mental and physical health, and it’s vital for relationships.
You can also seek out a therapist to help you identify and address your feelings of being an energy vampire. There are a number of different therapists who specialize in treating energy vampires, and you can find a therapist by asking your doctor for recommendations or seeking out an online therapist directory.
4. Practice self-care
Self-care is a holistic approach to health and wellness that consists of different practices that help you gain or maintain an optimal level of overall health. It can include exercising, eating healthy foods, practicing yoga or meditation, seeking therapy, and more.
It also involves making sure you are getting enough sleep and rest, avoiding caffeine or alcohol, maintaining a positive attitude, and staying in touch with friends and family. It’s important to practice self-care regularly, especially as a way to avoid burnout and anxiety.
The best way to practice self-care is by listening to your body and finding what works for you. It may take time to find the best practices that fit your needs and schedule, but incorporating self-care into your life can be a healthy way to cope with stress, depression, or other mental health issues.
In addition, if you are feeling overwhelmed by your situation, it’s important to talk to a friend or seek support from someone you trust. Whether it’s a therapist, social worker, or a counselor, talking through your feelings with someone else can make it easier to process what happened and move forward.
Some of the ways you can practice self-care include doing yoga, taking a walk, reading a book, calling a loved one, or engaging in other activities that you enjoy. It’s also a good idea to set aside time for yourself to do something that will benefit your mental health, like visiting a spa or enjoying a glass of wine.
You can also try meditating, praying, or giving yourself an aromatherapy bath. These practices can help you connect with your higher power and heal from the emotional trauma that you have experienced.
5. See a therapist
You may have heard the term “energy vampire” before, but did you know that this can apply to anyone in your life, including friends, family members, coworkers, acquaintances, or even romantic partners? These people may drain your energy, leaving you feeling tired, depleted, and unsupported.
Psychiatrists aren’t sure why some people tend to be energy vampires, but they do believe that these people could have a few common characteristics, which psychologists call cluster B personality disorders: antisocial, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorders (Northrup, 2018).
These behaviors may stem from trauma or a need for attention. Symptoms of these disorders can include attention-seeking, neediness, and obsession with socializing.
They might also have a victim mentality, according to psychologists. These individuals will always look for sympathy instead of solutions, and they’ll never take responsibility for their actions.
One way to deal with these types of people is to learn not to react when they make dramatic statements or complain about something that happened to them. If they don’t get the reaction they want, they’ll eventually lose interest and leave you alone.
The best way to keep yourself safe from energy vampires is to avoid them completely. But if this isn’t an option, there are some things you can do to protect yourself.
1. Practice deep breathing.
While it might seem counterintuitive, deep breathing can help you relax and relieve stress. It can also help you manage your emotions and reduce your fatigue.
2. Set firm boundaries.
Psychic vampires thrive on controlling others, so if you feel like they’re taking control of your time and space, it’s important to set some boundaries. If they realize you have limits, they will back off from you and search for other victims.
