One of the things that contribute to psychic burn out are the requests for help that I get on a pretty regular basis.
For instance, I get frequent requests for help by e-mail.
I would say, they would come at the rate of around four to six a month, and while not very many in the overall scheme of things, each one does take a fair enough of time to deal with as I will answer all mail I get.
Some of them are just thank you for doing what you do, e-mails, and those are always wonderful to get.
However, most are people asking for help on some level.
The type of requests I get  generally fall into the below categories.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â People who are in real trouble and need help now.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â People who have genuine questions about experiences that have happened to them.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Those who want answers to somewhat frivolous questions
–         People who want answers to questions that can’t be answered.
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Those who ask the same question over and over until they get the answer they are looking for.
Let’s look at them one at a time.
People who are in real trouble and need help now
This is something that can’t be ignored. Sometimes, it is a matter of life and death, and I can feel this, so I will respond as soon as I can. Sometimes I can help the person in one reply, but more often than not, it can be a long term project until you help get their life turned around. Generally, though, it can be a very rewarding correspondence.
Contribution to psychic burn out: 1-2 out of 10
People who have genuine questions about experiences that have happened to them.
I get these ones the most. People have had experiences they can’t quite explain and are not sure what to do with them. Many of these are things like soul calls or what might be a psychic attack. I try to answer them best I can. 95% of these types of e-mails are one-offs, and I never hear from them again after I answer. As a rules, I often enjoy answering these types of questions.
Contribution to psychic burn out: 1-2 out of 10
Those who want answers to somewhat frivolous questions.
I get these occasionally and it’s generally someone who has some relationship issue that they want answered. As a rule, these e-mails tend to be very long, and (sometimes a little rambling) so it takes more time, and energy to get through it, and then work out what the question is, and what answer (if any) can be given. The relationships in question are about potential ones, and not ones that they are already in.
Personally, I find those types the hardest to answer as I don’t have clue what is going through the mind of the other party. Most of the time I don’t get any answers. Sometimes, I do, but that’s more the exception.
Contribution to psychic burn out: Â 6 out of 10
People who want answers to questions that can’t be answered.
I get this from time to time and I simply just don’t have answers, other than generic advice for someone. I’ve had some e-mails sit in my inbox for almost a year before I finally get something.
General rule is: If I don’t feel a flow in answering a question, then it’s a very bad idea to force it and I hate giving bullshit, generic answers, that anyone can give.
Clearly, I feel bad when I can’t give an answer because part of me feels that I should be able to, but on the other hand, I’m not the repository of information. Yes, I do get a lot of things that flow easily from me, but there are times when I feel a great resistance, and pursuing any answer will cause a massive drain on my energies.
In fact, trying to do something that doesn’t flow tends to be the biggest drain on psychic energies.
Contribution to psychic burn out: 8-9 out of 10
Those who ask the same question over and over until they get the answer they are looking for.
This type is the most frustrating. No matter how many times you give someone an answer, they will come back asking the same question in a different form. They will also ignore whatever you’ve just said, and also ignore any questions you’ve asked them.
The most frustrating thing with this type of person is that they are demanding, ungracious, and seem to think that you owe them something.
Generally, the answers they need to hear are not the answers they want to hear. In the end, the responsibility for knowing what is going on, or resolving their issues is their responsibility.
The problem with drain occurs when there is no equivalent energy exchange. You’ve put all you’ve got into helping this person, but you don’t receive anything in return.
Contribution to psychic burn out: 9-10 out of 10
Now, being altruistic, I would just love to help everyone all the time and fix up their lives for them, and answer all their questions, but I’ve found that it’s just not possible, at least, not without making myself very sick.
In the end, there is little choice but to shut down for a while and look after yourself.
Next: Should we charge for our services?