Need to learn more about clairsentience

I guess it's clairsentience/empathy, but I have finally accepted that I am an empath. It's actually almost out of control; i.e., I work in a stressful environment. Although I've chosen to leave my job, the air is so thick there with negativity sometimes I physically get sick, like vomiting. If a client, friend, or co-worker is upset/angry, I can tell instantly just when they walk in the room or even over the phone, I get very uncomfortable. People gravitate to me to tell me their problems because I seem to soak up their "woes," but I don't know how to shake it off of *me*. People think I'm oversensitive.

I come home drained, and although, like I said, I'm leaving my job, but it's still hard to go into busy, public places like malls, especially during holidays when everybody's stressed. Even if I hear my neighbors cussing at each other, I instantly feel woefully hurt. I'm also the type of person who instantly cries if someone else cries.

What's really weird is that now that I'm being to accept this and be a little more open to this -- I'm beginning to detect if a place or object makes me feel uncomfortable or safe, not just people. I've heard of psychometry, but I never thought about it until I ordered a couple of used books over the web, and when I received them, I felt repulsed. When I touched them I they made me irritated and wary, although there was nothing wrong with the contents. I had to throw them away because I was so bothered, and then I was relieved. I don't know why.

I also once had a spirit move through me and I felt her emotions of extreme despair and sadness. I didn't ask for it -- it just happened, and I was crying hysterically, even though I knew it wasn't me, and then it was instantly gone. So I guess I can pick it up from ghosts as well.

I did not grow up in a household where psychic ability was believed in, and so I was constantly belittled by my parents and I think I tried to shut it off.
Any guidance, leads to get started? I'd like to learn to use this as a tool and not let it run my life. Do other people experience this to this degree?

Sorry this is long, but I really need to have some advice and/or support.
Please help.

[skygazer]

I don't think that I have the gift, just highly sensitive to the energy of others. I can relate to all you mention, going into public spaces, etc. (not the ghost experience)
The used books, might have been salvaged if you had saged them well. After I learned of saging, it has been a constant help and staple in my life.
Meditation has been another tool that has helped greatly. I have found that if my energy is depleted I need to meditate to alleviate the symptoms.

[inspirit]

That doesn't sound like clairsentience to me. It sounds more like an empathic hypersensitivity of some sort.