The topic of empathy is an interesting one to me. I suspect my mother was borderline, she beat me at least once that I know about.... she was angry and just mean at times, and I suspect she took out her anger (because she had an abusive spouse), on us kids. I have nothing but bad memories of her from my childhood. She was just so angry all the time, and never showed any empathy towards me, that I recall. I don't recall so much as a hug.... ever.

However, I never noticed any lack of empathy in myself. I haven't really worked out if that is because I just don't understand it, or because I really do have empathy. I know that I can watch a sad movie and be so into it, that I feel sorry for the characters and start crying in appropriately sad scenes.

However, my T has suggested (more than actually claimed) he sees a lack of empathy.