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I work for a major hotel chain making reservations for guests. The past few weeks I have been taking calls from distressed guests who have been fleeing the hurricanes. One guest told me that she arrived back home that day, did't have any power to her house, and had to call to make arrangements for shelter because she has to evacuate again. She said she has to elderly people with her who do not travel well, her children haven't been to school yet this year, and her husband's business is in trouble.

I feel so bad for all the evacuees. Although, I personally do not live in the gulf coast region and am safe from the storms, I am feeling very depressed, jumpy, moody, I am binge eating, binge drinking, chain smoking, and either I can't sleep at all or I sleep too much.

I dont understand why something that really doesn't effect my own safety and security is making me feel traumatized.

Any insights would be appreciated. Any advice will be valued.

It hurts all of us, meaning normals too. It is normal to feel for other humans. I think you may be sympathizing rather than empathizing. Your close to the situation because you feel all the stories up close and personal. I urge you to realize that you are helping! You are doing more than many in this country by setting them up with shelter (even if it's your job, your doing it). Try to seperate your feelings for their situation with what is actually going on in YOUR life. Are you safe, healthy? It's okay to feel bad for them, but try to leave work at work. Do what you can to help, but then take care of you by getting adequate sleep and watching what you eat, yadda, yadda.

Good luck to you. You are doing a good thing. Remember, empathy, not sympathy. Just my two cents.

Good feedback from Harmonium, so let me just add a WELCOME to you, Barbara!

Best regards,

Candle

Thanks for feedback Harmonium. I tend to forget that I am doing something to help because I feel like what I do is not nearly enough. Empathy not sympathy might help me not burn out so I can help some other folks trying to find shelter as well.

Thanks again.