Psychic vampires, also known as energy vampires, are emotionally immature individuals who drain the time and energy from those around them. They are usually highly self-interested and lack empathy. The relationships they form are largely self serving. You can deal with psychic vampires by identifying psychic vampires in your life, setting firm boundaries with these people, and working on your own sense of self esteem and self worth.

My mother is the psychic vampire who drains me and parcels the energy out to the rest of our family. I've confronted her many times. What else can I do?

Not quite! Psychic vampires actually like to prey on people who show an overabundant amount of caring towards others. If you’re what others refer to as a “people person,” you should be extra wary of psychic vampires trying to take advantage of you. Choose another answer!

Try again! As horrible as it sounds, psychic vampires are more prone to target less-attractive people since they know they’ll have an easier time gaining emotional leverage over them. If there’s someone in your life who criticizes your looks on a frequent basis, chances are good they’re an emotional vampire. Choose another answer!

Exactly! Psychic vampires enjoy meeting people with low self esteem since they know such people will be much less resistant to their manipulative tactics. Fortunately, activities like physical exercise, writing, or even just spending some alone time with yourself are great ways to boost your self esteem and help you resist the machinations of the psychic vampire. Read on for another quiz question.

Being high energy and confident can put off energy vampires. Work on engaging in activities that will boost your energy and self esteem. You can try some of the following:

Oftentimes, we make ourselves susceptible to psychic vampires because we do not know ourselves. Spending time getting to know your own needs and wants can help you keep psychic vampires away.

Many people who end up in relationships with psychic vampires have underlying issues with self esteem. Seeing a qualified therapist can help if you have problems with your emotions, feelings, and interactions with other people. You can find a therapist by asking your doctor for a referral, seeing what is covered by your insurance provider, or seeking free counseling from your college or university if you are a student.

Yes! It may be awkward, but being upfront and direct is the best way to show a psychic vampire that you’re done putting up with their usual behavior. If they keep trying to manipulate you despite your clear protests, it may be time to cut them out of your life for good. Read on for another quiz question.

Try again! If a psychic vampire knows how to manipulate you in person, chances are good they know how to manipulate you via phone calls and texts too. Once you’ve decided to shut a psychic vampire out of your life, it’s best if you shut them out completely. Pick another answer!

Not quite! If a psychic vampire ignores your requests for personal space, it’s better to just stop seeing them altogether. Even a once-a-week visit can be enough for them to dig their claws back into you. Choose another answer!

Take care of your body and mind by maintaining healthy eating, exercising, and personal care habits. Spend time with people you care about, as well as your pets. Treat yourself to a bath, cup of tea, or time spent on your hobby.

It can be stressful and exhausting to deal with a psychic vampire. Deep breathing can help you relax, restoring some sense of calm, and can also be an invigorating activity.

After a certain point, you might have to break off the relationship or at least lessen the bond. If a psychic vampire continues to violate boundaries and demand too much of your time and emotional energy, you need to work on keeping your distance. Don't return texts or phone calls and limit the time you spend with this person.

Psychic vampires thrive on controlling others. If you feel like your time and space is being controlled by another person, take a step back from the relationship.

The first step to dealing with a psychic vampire is by setting firm boundaries. If psychic vampires realize you have limits, they'll back off from you and search for other victims.

Correct! True to their name, controlling psychic vampires like to use emotional manipulation in order to influence the actions of those around them. Their ultimate goal is often to invalidate a person’s feelings, usually by putting them down. Read on for another quiz question.

Try again! In this case, you’re more likely dealing with a drama queen psychic vampire. Controlling psychic vampires tend to focus more on the people around them than themselves. Try again...

Not quite! A grandiose sense of self importance is usually a trait associated with narcissistic psychic vampires. Controlling psychic vampires tend to focus their bad behavior on other people rather than themselves. Pick another answer!

If you've encountered a psychic vampire, there are physical and emotional side effects. You might have a relationship with an energy vampire if you display any of the following symptoms:

Take a minute to assess your relationship with potential psychic vampires. Question whether or not you feel drained by these people and whether the relationship is mutually beneficial.

Talk to others about the person you suspect is a psychic vampire. While you might be wary to gossip, psychic vampires tend to have one-sided relationships with most people. Seeing other people have had the same issues as you can help you understand the problem is not you.

To deal with a psychic vampire, speak up whenever you feel like you're being controlled, since psychic vampires thrive on controlling others. If, for example, a psychic vampire is trying to tell you what to do, cut them off with something like “I appreciate your advice, but I can work through this on my own.” Additionally, set firm boundaries, like not responding to a psychic vampire’s texts or phone calls when they start demanding too much of your time and energy.