Emotional Contagion/ee-MO-shun-al con-TAY-jun/
Absorbing others’ emotions automatically; can be stronger for autistic and highly sensitive people.
Andy says:
Like catching someone’s yawn—but with feelings.
Detailed Explanation
Signals (tone, posture, micro‑expressions) can shift our state without words. Higher sensitivity or trauma history can amplify effects. Supports add boundaries and recovery.
Community Context
Common topic in ND spaces and care work. Empathy isn’t only one‑way; mutual understanding matters.
Quick Tips
- Name “not mine” feelings; step back briefly
- Use ear/eye filters in intense spaces; plan decompression
- Prefer text over voice when saturated
Do / Don't
- Do: co‑regulate intentionally; time‑box exposure
- Don't: self‑blame for resonance
Scientific Context
Linked to mirror systems and autonomic coupling; practices that increase differentiation reduce load.
Language Notes
Related: empathy, co‑regulation, boundaries.
Related Terms
Co-regulation
Supporting someone’s nervous system to calm or activate through shared cues: steady presence, tone, breath, and environment.
Emotional Dysregulation
Difficulty adjusting the intensity and duration of emotions to match the situation, especially under stress.
Interoception
The sense of internal body signals (hunger, heartbeat, temperature, tension) that inform emotions and regulation.
Alexithymia
Difficulty identifying and describing one’s own emotions; common in autistic people and others.
Sources
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