“Ecpathy is the balancing strategy established to protect oneself from the consequences caused by 'compassion fatigue.' Do not confuse it with antipathy since it is a vital complement to empathy.
The new term ekpathia from the Greek root ek-patheia (feeling outside), coins the conscious process of separation from the feelings and circumstances of the other.
Contrary to empathy -understanding the other from their position- people who develop ecpathic techniques try to regulate the empathic level towards the environment, so that their ability to actively listen and support others is not diminished by emotional exhaustion.
Basically, it is the balanced strategy established to protect oneself from the consequences caused by 'compassion fatigue', a syndrome that appears when we focus only on the other's emotions without taking our own into account; that is, experiencing the problems, sorrows or low self-esteem of others and allowing spaces in which they affect us as if they were our own.
However, we should not confuse empathy with antipathy. Antipathy is a feeling that entails negative attitudes towards another person, demonstrations of almost visceral and unconscious rejection of a human being and his circumstances. In contrast, empathy is a vital complement to empathy, it is the weight that balances the balance for the emotional and psychological protection of oneself.
Acting ecpathic does not mean being indifferent or ignorant of what might be going on. Ecpathy is a mental resource that records the ability to engage with others from a healthy level. Applied in its proper measure, it prevents the emergence of manipulative processes, psychological abuse and unnecessary emotional burnout. Let's not forget that the goal is to learn to separate burdens and understand when the processes of learning or overcoming do not belong to us.
If we really want to collaborate with another person who is not well, we have the responsibility to safeguard our balance in any circumstance in order to continue being supportive and not create a much bigger problem.
Rivera Revuelta, J. G. (2004). Empathy and ecpathy. Psyche, 25(6), 243-245”.
https://www.psonrie.com/noticias-psicologia/que-es-la-ecpatia