So if someone you care deeply about is sad, that doesn't make you feel sad?
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Autism Forums
Forest Cat
Princess Viola
Nope.
Stuttermabolur
I think I am much more empathetic when it comes to the written word and having feelings explained than when it comes to being physically near people. I've also been around crying people and just felt... Weird and useless, rather than sad. Reading an interview of even a personal post by someone who has gone through terrible experiences can leave me on the verge of tears however.
Stuttermabolur
My emotions are pretty dull, so that is probably a part of it. I don't get angry, I'm not depressed and I don't even tend to get that disappointed (I'm a pessimist by nature). I mostly feel ambivalence, though sadness and satisfaction can be a welcome change. I very rarely cry, and I'm not much into movies. Now I'm starting to wonder if it's connected to my lack of "visual" empathy compared to "written" empathy.
Rodafina
@Princess Viola, could it be more of a defense mechanism than a lack of empathy?
Do you feel joy when good things happen to people you care about?
Do you feel joy when good things happen to people you care about?
Princess Viola
@Rodafina Nope, don't feel any such things.
Rodafina
Have you ever heard of alexithymia? Several folks here seem to notice it in themselves.