Posted by paxvox on May 13, 2003, at 16:39:23
In reply to What to do when a bad mood rubs off on you?, posted by Snoozy on May 13, 2003, at 12:52:02
Go somewhere else. No, seriously, I have the same problem. I am very sensitive to other's low moods (but strangely not high moods, hmmm?). The only answer I can proffer is what one counselor told me, and that is to recognize that the person is in a black-hole BUT don't let yourself get drawn into it. Simple, right? Well, it is actually something that you can process mentally. Here's what I have been doing. I come home and my wife is depressed. I try to act as if she is OK, I say "hello, how are you feeling?" When a negative response is given in reply, I say "well, I'm sorry that you are feeling bad, is there anything I can do for you?" Then you go about your business. This DOES take quite a bit of effort and practice for practical application. The key is to NOT let yourself get depressed just because someone you care about is down. You have a. recognized that they are not feeling well. b. verbalized to them that you are aware that they are not feeling well. c. offered to help them in any way you can. and d. you go about your business having shown compassion but w/o getting pulled into the black-hole. Try it out, you never know.
PAX
poster:paxvox
thread:226340
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030506/msgs/226408.html