Yet we need to balance and regulate the initial empathetic response in order not to confuse ourselves with the other person. This is particularly important for those who face continued exposure to suffering, such as nurses, teachers, counselors, therapists, and first responders. Otherwise, empathetic concern can easily slip into empathetic overload, which can have a negative impact on our health and well-being, leading to exhaustion, isolation, burnout, and even selfish behaviors such as acting out on others to relieve our personal empathetic distress.
KEY!
