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If you can't avoid the person, ask for space. Be kind, but also clear about your needs.
There’s no single personality that qualifies as an energy vampire. But some common factors include people having developed insecure, avoidant, and anxious attachment styles during childhood. Personality disorders might also be a contributing factor.
Communicate assertively and directly. For example, saying, "Let’s go back to my point about this topic, so it doesn’t get missed," is a respectful way to prevent them from taking over the conversation.
You can’t fix an energy vampire, but you can reshape your expectations about them. This means not offering advice when they vent their problems to you.
An energy vampire is someone who repeatedly takes, and lacks insight and awareness of how their ways contribute to interpersonal problems.
And in most cases, you can cut this person from your life entirely. This might seem dramatic, but at the end of the day you're protecting yourself.
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If the energy vampire calls, texts, or even stops by, don’t give them the room. Offer an excuse, and you'll see that they'll turn elsewhere for their emotional needs.
Energy vampires use nonverbal cues to know when they've got someone on the hook. Reserve your energy by offering short, stone-faced responses.
You may not know someone is an energy vampire when you first meet them, but you can tell after a while. Especially if they make you feel overstimulated, stressed, tired, annoyed, or apathetic.
Codependency in any relationship is designed to elicit a certain reaction from the other individual. It's a vicious cycle that energy vampires rarely recognize they’re in.
Encountering energy vampires doesn't have to leave you feeling like you need to recharge. Click through for some tips to protect your energy.
Initially, they may seem extremely friendly, almost overly so. So it can feel natural being their friend. This is a common approach for an energy vampire.
When an energy vampire enters a group dynamic, everyone goes quiet. You may feel like they "kill the vibe," as they diminish and talk over people.
Don't be afraid of taking a step back and think about what type of people aggravate you. Sometimes that's the best you can do for your mental well-being.
Setting boundaries is another way of protecting yourself. Don't agree to social events, and limit interactions between the two of you.
If you’re a people-pleaser, then it's especially hard to say "no." They may attempt to guilt you, but that can be a good reminder of why you’re saying "no" in the first place.
Some common signs of an energy vampire include talking more about themselves than about you or anyone else.
If you're feeling stressed, breathing is a wonderful way to center yourself. Just follow the breath and tell yourself that you know what's happening. You'll feel the tension of the energy vampire drift away.
Energy vampires place their problems on other people. They take no responsibility for their contributions to their own difficulties.
Deep down, energy vampires are often insecure. They may use dehumanizing tactics and criticisms to keep people insecure.
Energy vampires feed off your emotional energy. And if you’re sad or upset, they'll shift the attention to themselves.
They never accept culpability in any disagreement or issue. You're often left feeling guilty, and possibly getting the blame.
An energy vampire never likes to be outdone, and they won't share the spotlight. This is one of their many narcissistic tendencies.
Energy vampires often rely on guilt trips to get what they want. And they have no shame in using this against compassionate and caring people.
Close to bullying, intimidation is a tool some energy vampires turn to when they need to stir things up. It can also help them boost their egos.
Create a buffer zone with your own energy. Even if you can hear the person, visualize a protective white light around you.
Energy vampires always find themselves in the middle of some drama. And when they've landed on you, they'll throw it on you in hopes you'll absorb and fix it.
If you offer a listening ear and a kind heart, energy vampires use your good nature against you. Ultimately, this drains you of your vitality.
Feeling emotionally drained after talking with a friend, colleague, or family member? You may be dealing with an energy vampire!
Energy vampires are people who, sometimes intentionally or unintentionally, drain your emotional energy. They feed on your willingness to listen and care for them, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. Energy vampires can be anywhere and anyone. But once you’ve identified one, you can develop ways to protect yourself, such as setting boundaries and saying "no."
Click on to learn more about how an energy vampire works, and what you can do about it.
Watch out for these "energy vampires"
Stop them from draining your life force with these tips
HEALTH Relationships
Feeling emotionally drained after talking with a friend, colleague, or family member? You may be dealing with an energy vampire!
Energy vampires are people who, sometimes intentionally or unintentionally, drain your emotional energy. They feed on your willingness to listen and care for them, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. Energy vampires can be anywhere and anyone. But once you’ve identified one, you can develop ways to protect yourself, such as setting boundaries and saying "no."
Click on to learn more about how an energy vampire works, and what you can do about it.