Mental Illness and Psychic Abilities

It may seem there is a fine line between empathic sensitivity and mental illness. But honestly the line is not as fine as many may believe. In fact, there is no proof there is a line connecting one to the other. But, if this is true, why do so many psychics have a history of some sort of trauma, specifically childhood and generational trauma?

I’ve worked for decades learning to protect my energy and to shield myself to develop spiritually in order to manage the insights and impressions that are nearly always around me. I also developed healthy boundaries and learned how to set them for myself, and also how to honor the boundaries of others.

I think the difference between in empathic sensitivity and mental illness is that the mentally ill have persistent issues with any form of boundary identification and setting. And, many of them cannot respect the boundaries of others at all. Mental illness is also a medical condition—though it is still not really thoroughly treated as a true medical condition—that affects a person's thinking, mood, or behavior. It can cause distress and problems functioning in social, work, or family activities. 

Part of the issue that confuses many of the clients I work with who are opening up to their empathic sensitivities is many of them are so distressed by what they are feeling that they fear they are mentally ill. The issue is the world fears what it cannot fully understand. Much of my time spent working with these awakening folks is spent telling them that they are not crazy. And, they most definitely are not. Because, when I break these fears down that they seem to have they have very little to do with a fear of what they're seeing/feeling as much as a fear of what others will perceive what they are seeing. Or what they're feeling.

I grew up in a dysfunctional environment that I know created dynamic of hyper-vigilance that sometimes drew me down into depression and acting out behaviors. My journey towards wholeness included therapy, medication but that hyper-vigilance also allowed me to do a deep dive into metaphysical training to develop the psychic nature that I believe we are all born possessing. Those two worlds frequently overlap. Learning to discern what was going on with me, and how to manage it has been an insightful journey. I have no illusion that I managed that perfectly, but I believe we are all doing the best with what we have been given. I have done my best.

That said, walking in Spirit while also walking in third dimensional reality is complicated but fulfilling. Managing and navigating the intersection of the two dynamics of myself, I believe, has made me a damn fine spiritual counselor and empathic reader which has become the most significant and important part of my life. And for all of this I feel blessed and am grateful.