[Ornamiviant]

Well put flash_hound, I just want to add that energy deficit could be a result from many more things than only physical illness and depression. Starting to raise energy as in NEW, projecting warmth and light to someone in need (as in some types of healing), going through a tough awakening etc. many things can lead to an increased need for energy. As far as I can tell, most of the psychic vampire support groups around the net define a psychic vampire as a someone who is born with a "damaged" energy pattern, where they can't fill up their own energy needs just by sleep, proper diet etc. and have developed skills over several life times to cope with this energy deficit by feeding off outside sources. These skills can vary in strength and nature and usually come in "save money by buying paranormal skillpackages" with all kinds of paranormal abilities and traits, and the awakening to one's true nature usually occurs somewhere in the later teens, for some earlier, for some later, usually when the physical puberty is over, the mental and "spiritual" if you like, kicks in, with all the hormones and everything changing and racing rapidly, although now it's pure energy and soul-developement going on rather than your limbs growing.

If this is truth or not, I can not say. But thanks again for pointing out that exchanging energies with other human sources is natural and a way for the circle of life to go around. It's when you do it actively, and take in too much energy in order to hurt others, it gets bad and becomes an act of egoism and evil.