A Hollywood crowd learns how to deal with ‘emotional vampires’

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Roma Downey of “Touched by an Angel” treated 70 guests to a book signing on Thursday at her Malibu home, where they met Judith Orloff, psychiatrist and bestselling author of “Emotional Freedom” and “Second Sight.”

With sunlight glistening on the ocean, providing a dramatic backdrop for the luncheon buffet, a harpist on the patio, Stephanie Bennett, made the atmosphere all the more angelic. Still, Downey was quick to acknowledge, “There’s so much bad news and heartache in the world that I can hardly turn on the television.” She introduced Orloff as someone “who sheds light and brings practical tools for achieving inner peace.”

Orloff talked about the importance of taking control of life’s problems, striking an immediate chord with the audience when she spoke of “emotional vampires.” Explaining, she said, “when you’re around emotional vampires, you feel drained. Your eyelids feel heavy and you suddenly feel like taking a nap.”

Orloff said she hopes her book will help people cope with such draining relationships, as well as with the fear, stress and anxiety people feel today. “To protect yourself, you must build a strength inside to be able to go out into the world,” she said.

Among those attending were Linda Thompson, Tracey Bregman, Frances Fisher, Lyndie Benson, Kelly Meyer, Cindy Landon, Lilly Tartikoff Karatz, Gabi Frank, Lisa Gordon, Irena Medavoy; Prudence Hall, Bobi Leonard, Sara Weinstock, Elizabeth Wiatt, Kathleen Sacchi, Andrea Schroder and composer Eimear Noone.

--Ellen Olivier