Empathy is a beautiful gift, but what happens when it becomes too much? Discover the dark side of empathy—how it can lead to burnout, blurred boundaries, and even manipulation. Learn how to protect your mental well-being while staying compassionate. �

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### References:
1. Walter, H. (2012). *Social cognitive neuroscience of empathy: Concepts, circuits, and genes*. *Emotion Review, 4*(1), 9-17.
2. Weisz, E., & Cikara, M. (2021). *Strategic regulation of empathy*. *Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 25*(3), 213-227.
3. Emamzadeh, A. (2023, March 3). *The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding*. *Psychology Today*. [Read here](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-a-new-home/202207/the-surprising-role-of-empathy-in-traumatic-bonding)
4. Martingano, A. J. (2022). *Helpful and hurtful empathy: how the interplay of empathy, shame, and anger predicts responses to hypothetical rape disclosures*. *Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37*(3-4), 1779-1795.
5. Kounenou, K., Kalamatianos, A., Nikoltsiou, P., & Kourmousi, N. (2023). *The interplay among empathy, vicarious trauma, and burnout in Greek mental health practitioners*. *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20*(4), 3503."

The Team:

Writer: Dylan Swanepoel
Editor: Isadora Ho & Kelly Soong
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
Animator: Sun Biscuit
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong