September/October 2005 Living Now
Positive Energy: How to Build Vitality and Stop Energy Vampires From Draining You

by Judith Orloff, M.D.

Dr. Judith
Dr. Judith Orloff

I learned to honor my energy needs the hard way. As a psychiatrist who specializes in intuition I knew how important it was to listen to my body. Yet still I’d vacillate between intense weeks of speaking tours to bouts of utter exhaustion at home. I couldn’t turn down "irresistible" opportunities. Here was my dilemma--I trusted my intuition, and was committed to living by it. But I had a blind spot: Although I was quite successful at helping others at trusting intuition and leading high energy lives I was ignoring my own energy crises. Finally my fatigue was so profound I had to change.

I know first hand how important it is for us to cherish our precious energy so we don't compromise our capacity for passion. I now believe that the most profound transformations can only take place only on an energetic level. I’ve met many patients who’ve spent much time and money on talk therapy hoping that intellectual insights will bring emotional freedom, but they’re disappointed. As much as I love the linear mind, my approach, which I call "Energy Psychiatry," goes further to also facilitate a conscious rebuilding of a subtle energies, the most basic life force in each of us.

Do You Get Drained By Other People’s Energy?

  • Have you ever sat next to someone at a dinner who seems pleasant, but suddenly you're nauseous, have a headache, or feel drained?
  • Are you uncomfortable in crowds, even go out of your way to avoid them?
  • Do you get easily over-stimulated by people or prefer being alone?
  • When someone is in pain, do you start feeling it too?
  • Do you overeat around people I’m uncomfortable with?

If you've answered "yes" to one or more questions, it's likely you have experienced intuitive empathy. Responding "yes" to every question indicates empathy is draining your energy. But you don’t have to be an empath to experience the fang marks of an energy vampire, though empaths are often hit the hardest. Relationships are always an energy exchange. To stay feeling our best, we must ask ourselves: Who gives us energy? Who saps it? It's important to be surrounded by supportive, heart-centered people who make us feel safe and secure. It's equally important to pinpoint the energy vampires, who, whether they intend to or not, leech our energy.

Strategies for Dealing With Energy Vampires

  1. Take an inventory of people in your life who give energy, and people who drain.
  2. Set Clear Boundaries.
  3. Meditate a life-line when you’ve been struck by a vampire.
  4. Walk away
  5. Build an energy shield around you

I hope I’ve inspired you to be more fierce about asserting your energy needs. Understanding how you react energetically in the world is particularly important if you’re chronically tired and want to build vitality. Knowledge is power. Meeting your energy needs can balance mind, body, and spirit to create a vibrant life.

Dr. Orloff is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA and energy expert. This article is adapted from her new book, Positive Energy: Ten Extraordinary Prescriptions for Transforming Fatigue, Stress, and Fear into Vibrance, Strength, and Love (Three Rivers Press, 2005).She’s also written the bestsellers Guide to Intuitive Healing and Second Sight. For more information on Dr. Orloff’s books and workshop schedule visit www.drjudithorloff.com. Come to her workshop in Seattle, WA Oct 28-29, 2005  For more information contact: info@theconferenceworks.com or 800-395-8445 X 154.