Empathy & Mental Health are Inter-linked

Empathy & Mental Health are Inter-linked

Is Empathy a bridge to Mental Health? I am unquestionably sure that Empathy & Mental Health are Inter-linked.

Here’s what Wikipedia says about Empathy:

“Empathy is the capability to share and understand another’s emotions and feelings. It is often characterized as the ability to “put oneself into another’s shoes,” Empathy does not necessarily imply compassion, sympathy, or empathic concern because this capacity can be present in the context of compassionate or cruel behaviour. Since empathy involves understanding the emotional states of other people, the way it is characterized is derivative of the way emotions themselves are characterized. If, for example, emotions are taken to be centrally characterized by bodily feelings, then grasping the bodily feelings of another will be central to empathy.

On the other hand, if emotions are more centrally characterized by a combination of beliefs and desires, then grasping these beliefs and desires will be more essential to empathy. The ability to imagine oneself as another person is a sophisticated imaginative process. However, the basic capacity to recognize emotions is probably innate and may be achieved unconsciously. Yet it can be trained and achieved with various degrees of intensity or accuracy.”

What is empathy? 

The knack of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes; intellectually and emotionally. We all need empathy at some point in our lives. It gives a sense of belonging and helps us heal hearts. It comprises of progressive response to express compassion and understanding. Remarkably, the coupling power of empathy helps both; the person going through mental issues as well as the person who is lending an empathetic ear. Empathy can make a mental health patient feel revitalised and light.

Just two magic words- “I understand” signifies caring. Most of the time it is difficult to understand what a mentally ill person is going through. But bear in mind that showing you care and recognising their discomfort is important even if you have never been through the experience.

Being Empathetic

Learning to be empathetic is no rocket science. You just have to develop and convey empathy. Just by paying attention to another’s feelings, you can become sensitized.

Empathy can have a great influence on all our relationships. Family and friends you care about will appreciate the empathy you offer. It is one of the most effective ways to help anyone going through a mental health problem

Empathetic Listening

All it takes to calm down a mental health patient is empathetic listening. Just hearing out can be comforting, calming and healing. It works almost as well as a relaxant or anti-depressant. Just simple listening with no sermons and counter questions will make the person feel you comprehend and understand the agony. Let the patient talk freely and don’t be judgemental.

The anguish increases when you are lonely and by showing empathy you can calm down the person. People going through mental health problems hesitate to reach out but they do want attention and support.

 Source: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2017/07/quiet-power-listening/

Empathy & Mental Health are Inter-linked

A harrowing experience leaves a person distraught and beats one’s ability to cope. One feels powerless, defenceless, and emotional during mental trauma. The first reaction would be denial and longer-term reactions include erratic emotions, flashbacks, and psychosomatic illness. Feelings of pity or sympathy could trigger emotions of agitation and aggravate the already delicate mental balance of a distressed soul.

How to feel empathy?

If one has lost a dear one then just feel what the other is going through….believe me, it’s not that difficult.

If someone is going through a terminal illness, just feel what that person must be feeling.

If anyone lost a job then he/she would be devastated. Can’t one understand what it feels like to be fired?

If one has been dumped in love then hear the shattering of the heart into a million pieces. Try to gather them together.

If one is faced with a financial problem then am sure one can sense what it is to be penniless.

It’s very easy to give advice but then does anybody follow it up? Why do family and friends give the cold shoulder after lauding one with majestic soliloquies? Can’t we take out a little time to be there for our family or friends? Giving charity is easy but being empathetic is difficult. Don’t choose the easy way out!

Let me share my experience-

When I lost my husband, I was asked to “move on with your life” (my life just turned upside down).

“Relax “(how do I relax when I have two kids to support?)

Someone said, “take a chill pill’’ (my soul was already cold).

“Do what you feel like “(I feel like crawling into a 6-foot grave)

“Take on a hobby, anything that your heart pleases – paint, write, sketch, read or play an instrument to experience a real mood elevator” (I needed work, not a hobby)

“Start hitting the gym it will make you feel better” (how do I pay for it?)

 “Listen to your favourite music and forget all the cares of the world”(music sounds like grating noise when one is in distress)

“If you are a book lover then go buy your favourite book and laze around in your bed with it” (I can’t pay my bills and you want me to buy a book?),

“Indulge yourself-go for a spa treatment and a massage it will surely relaxxxxxxxxx you “(as if it will be paid for by a Robin Hood!)

“When life throws a curveball then squeeze it like stress ball-take off for a vacation, a change of scene will do you a great deal of good” (as if running away will solve my problems!)

Right now I am going through a depressive phase. Financial insecurity is one reason. Insensitive people say,” Why don’t you do Volunteer service to come out of depression“?

On the other hand, I have this Twitter friend, Dr Garima, who has lent me an empathetic ear and is helping me back to my normal self.

Empathy & Mental Health are Inter-linked

Just by listening and chanting the simple mantra, “I am here for you”; would be of immense help!

EMPATHY should be explained in schools and it should be mandatory for every human being to recognize its value.

Be Human. Empathy could relieve millions of distressed souls. Get rid of your apathy and empathize.

Do read my post on How I exorcised the depression Monster in 2020

‘This post is part of Blogchatter’s CauseAChatter’