My therapist thinks I should take a break from the NO coverage

[Nikia]

Reading all these threads makes me want to hop in a boat and go out and save people. Unfortunately, I am stuck here in Wisconsin. Still, my body prepares for it as my anxiety levels rise. "Other people will go and help," she says. "You need to stay here and take care of yourself. Those people won't suffer any less because you are suffering in empathy."
We don't have a lot of money right now, especially with rising gas prices. My eating disorder has put below the minimal weight limit for donating blood.
It is just agonizing for me because I care unlike Bush. I probably should stay away for the rest of the evening soon. Should I stay away for days as my therapist suggests? I think that empathy is a curse.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Yes.

Empathy is a gift unless you let it destroy you. If you have some time to donate, check with your local food bank, or go through your attic and purge it of clothes you no longer wear.

Try meditation or prayer to restore your spirit. Your empathy is so important to the well-being of those in NO. If you aren't healthy, you can't use it to help them.

Follow your doctor's advice until you can collect yourself again.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Nikia]

2. Thanks

For your kind words and advice.

[ahem]

3. I agree with the suggestion...

I've had to do it many times in the past. Taking a "news fast" is good for you. You can't live in grief all the time -- even when our fellow humans are in such misery that they can't escape. Sadly, there is always mass suffering going on somewhere on the planet, and when it's so close to home it's hard to look away from the news, but at times we must for our own well being.

Take a break and take care of yourself -- you'll come back to the subject a stronger person later. You can't help others if you don't help yourself first.

Please take care. Peace.
:hug:

[cally]

4. I've had to turn off all news

and limit what I read. I just can't take it emotionally. I'm doing what I can to help but I can't hear the stories of those I don't know how to help. I think it's good to take a break. I think it would be easier to have the mindset of a conservative. Instead, I'm a bleeding heart liberal.

[coffeenap]

5. Please take a break and heal. I am all too familiar with ED's--and

I have seen them get control when a person is under stress. Don't let your health go. If you are healthy, you can help with local efforts organized by groups in Wisc. Best wishes.

[Nikia]

6. Thanks, all of you

I'm going to spend the rest of the evening away from DU and reports about the hurricane damage and chill out a bit before going to bed.
Yes, sometimes it would be easier to be a cold hearted conservative.

[mcscajun]

7. Your therapist is right.

I remember right after I raced back home from the sight of the towers in flames on 9/11, I couldn't tear myself away from the TV coverage for a good 48 hours. I was definitely in freak-out mode after a while.

A friend gave me a gentle nudge away from the TV, the 'Net, the phone, and to take a drive in the country...see something besides destruction and death. I saw some green, some life, some sunshine and breathed fresh air.

You can't isolate yourself from horrifying realities (like MonsterMamaBush seems to), but we all need to take a break from it to recharge.

Empathy IS a curse...sometimes. The rest of the time, it's what fuels our actions and makes our lives meaningful.

So, take a break, and then come back to the fight.

[IconoclastIlene]

8. Just when I thought I could read something other than the STAR

This has to get all screwed up; instead of a search and rescue and not a asking for another hand out.