Killing With Kindness
Dr. Robert A. Burton, author of the forthcoming book Pathological Altruism, says selflessness gone awry may play a role in a broad variety of disorders, including anorexia and animal hoarding, women who put up with abusive partners and men who abide alcoholic ones. He also cites examples of physicians whose desire to heal patients can border on fanaticism, which can “perversely end up hurting them.” Though these are extreme examples, the article does go on to say that people must generally be aware of the energy they spend on others and know their limitations....