Emotional Contagion: Carrying What Isn't Yours
From Recovery FOR the Narcissist | Narcissism by Dr. Eric Perry, PhD
May 13, 2025 · 14 min
About this episode
Dr. Eric Perry explores the phenomenon of emotional contagion and its impact on relationships, particularly for individuals with narcissistic traits.
In this episode of Recovery for the Narcissist , Dr. Eric Perry explores the powerful and often unnoticed phenomenon of emotional contagion—the unconscious transfer of emotions from one person to another. This episode examines how intense emotional energy can quietly move between people, disrupting connection, creating emotional overwhelm, and shaping the dynamic of a relationship—often without anyone realizing it. Dr. Perry breaks down the neuroscience and psychology behind emotional contagion, including the role of mirror neurons and the tendency to absorb others' emotional states. He explains how individuals with narcissistic traits may struggle with emotional regulation and unintentionally trigger emotional contagion through unfiltered emotional expression or emotional dumping. Listeners will learn about: The science of emotional contagion and how it plays out in everyday relationships How emotional dumping creates imbalance and emotional fatigue in close relationships The difference between healthy emotional sharing and reactive offloading Why emotional safety must be mutual—not one-sided Practical strategies to build emotional resilience and self-soothing skills Dr. Perry…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Eric Perry
Topics covered
- emotional contagion
- narcissism
- emotional regulation
- relationship dynamics
- self-awareness
- emotional resilience
Keywords
- emotional contagion
- narcissism
- emotional dumping
- mirror neurons
- emotional safety
- self-soothing
- emotional resilience
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