Having hard time feeling sympathy/empathy

76% Normal
10 Comments

Lately I've been having a hard time feeling sympathy/empathy toward other people problems. I'm not sure why because I've always considered myself to be a pretty sensitive person. I've noticed I can never feel sympathy/empathy like I should when people have problems similar to problems I've experienced.
For example, my father died when I was 16. Recently my friend's grandfather had to be admitted to the hospital because of heart problems. She was very sad but I had a hard time feeling bad for her. Also, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 18. My friend recently was diagnosed with asthma. I felt nothing for her. I'm really not trying to making it seem like their problems don't matter and what had happened to me is so much worse, because it isn't, I just have hard time understanding why I feel nothing when I acknowledge that I should? Am I being selfish/ a bad person? I don't know how to change.

Voting Results
76% Normal
Based on 17 votes (13 yes)
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Comments ( 10 )
  • kelili
    9 years ago

    I think that as we grow older these things touch us lesser and lesser.

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  • nematoadblue24
    8 years ago

    I know someone who has MS and says the same thing about not being able to feel. I don't know why that is though

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  • Faceless
    9 years ago

    I fake it if I dont give a shit. Which is quite often.

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  • Who_Fan4Life
    9 years ago

    I tend to agree with you.

    I have troubles feeling the same way a person might feel if they are going through a rough time. It's hard for me to feel what they're feeling. It's like something is blocking me mentally feeling bad for someone. That's not to say I'm evil. I've obviously felt sadness and a plethora of emotions in my life, but I can't seem to reciprocate those emotions back to people most of the time (especially if it's something to do with things that are bad).

    I'm sure you're normal as I think a lot of people feel that way.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    That's funny. I was just about to write a similar topic just now. I'll write my thoughts on another post after I eat dinner.

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    • kingofcarrotflowers
      9 years ago

      Oooh watcha havin?!

      Sorry, that's my diet speaking, I'm on rabbit food :(

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      • [Old Memory]
        9 years ago

        Just had a couple steaks.

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        • kingofcarrotflowers
          9 years ago

          Ah I could murder a big bloody steak

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          • [Old Memory]
            9 years ago

            They were pretty good. I had some really good elk steaks the other day.

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  • kingofcarrotflowers
    9 years ago

    The world's a rough place, we get desensitized and personally I tend to bury my head in the sand but look, you're concerned you're not sympathetic enough, that doesn't sound like a selfish person to me :)

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