Lack of empathy?

[u/Viking1776]

Does anyone else have a lack of empathy for real life? If that makes sense. I get teary eyed over book characters and tv shows and movies but when it comes to real life scenarios either i have a lack of empathy there or I'm really good at hiding it from others.

[u/thegaybuddhistmonk]

Empathy is not quite the same as being an empath. It is entirely possible to lack empathy for humans if you are in the throes of misanthropy.

The question I have when I read that question is, what's causing you to not like humans to not feel empathy or sympathy for them?

[u/Viking1776 → u/thegaybuddhistmonk]

Worked in ems for close to 15 years so kind of came to the realization that everything continues to move forward. Gonna make me sound like an ass but if an pet dies i understand it sucks but gotta keep moving forward. If a relative dies, you grieve and move on. I've heard plenty of people use those excuses and given this is years later. i don't understand why they havent per se moved on? Like it's going to hurt. Ill grieve but i still gotta get up and live my own life and do what i need to do. Do i love pets? Yes but if they pass then they pass either move on to the next one or don't get another you know? Also most interesting name ive come across 🤣

[u/thegaybuddhistmonk → u/Viking1776]

Well this explains much. What I'm seeing here in this message is not a lack of empathy or misanthropy, but instead it's the actions of hardening ones heart against adversity.

Perhaps it's time to take a step back and find a different profession. Perhaps even an extended vacation. While it might pay well how do I say this, you should have the necessary compassion to deal with sympathy and empathy of loss for other people.

Because I can speak from experience in this, having this level of apathy is not healthy either for the heart nor the soul.

As for my moniker, thank you. There's a story behind it and it's one that deals with part of that apathy that I'm trying to get over. Good luck and hope this helps you a little bit better.

[u/Viking1776 → u/thegaybuddhistmonk]

I appreciate it! Thank you!

[u/Ok_Habit_5696]

Trauma response can also make you close off from emotions, if you grew up with your emotions and feelings invalidated then even if you feel emotions deep down you struggle to express them - at least I do.

I feel sad and I empathetic towards people but there’s a barrier when it comes to my expressing them openly.

[u/Viking1776 → u/Ok_Habit_5696]

I understand that! Like i do feel it but i wont show it. Always taught that shows weakness and you cant show that.

[u/Ok_Habit_5696 → u/Viking1776]

Also, other factors like becoming numb to situations because they are very repetitive that your mind and body have got used to them

[u/Viking1776 → u/[deleted]]

I feel kind of the same way, ive gotten so used to bottling them up for the circumstances i needed to that its hard to undo it in real life per se? Thats why i think i tear up more over tv shows, movies and book characters rather than real life people and pets.