Do you think BP makes you more in touch with the world? More understanding/empathetic? (It's okay to say no!)

I kinda going off jpb's thread about us "feeling" emotions more intensely than people w/o BP.

I think I'm definitely more empathetic than the average person. Having experienced depression multiple times, I can be very understanding when someone doesn't feel well. I know what it's like to hit rock bottom, and I know what it's like to be normal. I've felt everything in between.

I think having experienced the full spectrum of emotions, I just "get it" when someone's mood isn't normal. So in everyday situations, I can be empathetic when things go awry... well, somewhat.

But sometimes when I'm "down", I don't care to be empathetic. Does that make me selfish, or just a sourpuss?