Is it normal that im not empathetic towards people?

63% Normal
4 Comments

I feel like im not normal when it comes to hearing about someone being sick, or someone who has passed away etc...i dont really care about people for the most part like other people I know do. I care for people who are close to me, but when it comes to hearing about things on tv or accidents, or others sick realitives, car crashes, sick children, people who lost their baby, miscarrages, natural disasters, etc....i dont have the same reaction like true empathy and sadness like most people seem to. Yes, its horrible when things like that happen, but im not sad. The extent of what I feel is not a normal reaction compared to others with their candle vigils and how much they talk about it. I just dont care I guess. I wish I could dont get me wrong, and dont wanna be like that, even my husband looks at me in disdain like how can I not have a more emotional reaction other than "oh, ok." I even feel annoyed by things that are brought to my attention like this, because its strange to me to feel sadness towards those I dont really know, but when it comes to animals its a different story. I feel sad and will even cry about an animal like those sad commercials on tv where the animals have been abused or killed, but the ones with children that need help in 3rd world countries I could care less. I dont really know whats wrong with me, or do I think this is normal, but I would like another opinion on this matter please.

Voting Results
63% Normal
Based on 62 votes (39 yes)
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Comments ( 4 )
  • WordWizard
    11 years ago

    I often am not either.

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  • Chillpill
    12 years ago

    I used to care too much, but it seems at some point I overdosed on other people's suffering. Now I just don't let it get to me any longer. It's not that I'm numb but I refuse to be manipulated into feeling sorry for strangers by things like the media's human interest stories. As long as you feel empathy for those you personally know, it's okay.

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  • tox
    12 years ago

    There was a cracked article somewhere about this, I believe its called The Monkey Sphere. Its a fascinating read, you should try looking it up sometime if you want a long explanation on why our minds do this.

    So yeah, I think its pretty normal.

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  • Shrunk
    12 years ago

    I feel like that too and I think everyone else is just faking it to be polite, or they don't really know what they are thinking... I don't see the point to care about someone who doesn't even know you, just because they are sick/dead, they can't use sympathy so it doesn't help anyway

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