The Energy Vampire

Excuse me? You say "How can there be more than one type of Vampire?" Well, look at it in this manner. The traditional Vampire – the one with whom we’re all familiar - robs us of our life-sustaining blood. Why shouldn't we call people who steal other things from us, other than blood, Vampires? Energy Vampires are just such an example. Unlike their brethren, these Energy Vampires are subtle in their depredations. I'm sure many a mother out there can relate to that when it comes to rearing children.

I mean, think about it. Mom gets up early in the morning. She fights to get the school aged children up, dressed, fed, make lunches, assure that homework/projects aren't forgotten (and said lunches), hurry them off to school buses or into the car (most times Mom is dressed only in a nightgown, robe and slippers. When did she have time to dress?) and off to school! Then it's back into the house and time to care for the younger ones.

Well, Mom, you know the routine. Now, admit it, by the time you have the last child safely tucked into bed at the end of the day, do you have any ENERGY left? And the only time you feel like a new person is after that little vacation you and Dad make by yourselves, or when you pack the kids off to Summer Camp or Grandma's for a week. Alas, then the kids are back and the cycle begins again. It's only strong parental love that saves the child from finding a stake in the heart. I apologize. That was kinda cold of me. But, you must agree, that you have thought of it or something similar by the time you are working on that last frayed nerve.

Children aren't the only Energy Vampires. Wives, husbands, bosses, employees, aging parents (Ah! Revenge!) and countless others can be Energy Vampires.

And how do you defend yourself from them? Holy water and garlic doesn't work, I'm afraid to say.

First you need to identify the Energy Vampire and that is a difficult challenge. Then you must use your wits against them. Find a way to compromise with the energy depleting situation tactfully. Delegate authority. Let someone else share your burden/chore. Finally, in drastic cases, you must avoid that person at all costs. I don't mean, put your kids up for adoption or quit your job (although, in some cases, a job change might not be a bad idea), or even worse, commit murder! Just use a little common sense when handling the Energy Vampire.

Don't forget to use outside resources when you hit the brick wall and cannot think of a suitable way of releasing the hold of the Energy Vampire. Your local church, schools and medical institutes offer courses and counselling with dealing with stress and other situations. And for God's sake don't call your problem an “Energy Vampire” to his (or her) face! Otherwise your problem could be solved in a lovely padded room and a white jacket with extra long sleeves!

Stories of Psychological (Energy) Vampires

Luella Miller, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
The Transfer, Algernon Blackwood
The Girl With the Hungry Eyes, Fritz Leiber
Torch Song, John Cheever
Bellefleur, Joyce Carol Oates