Generally I am an empathetic person and always have been. I come from a history of severe abuse so that may come into play too, making me more sensitive to others feelings. As for Bipolar I think my profound experiences of mania and depression have also enabled me to place myself in the place of others who are suffering. If I had of lived a life without deeep suffering perhaps I would not feel the suffering of others so deeply?

Still, I have close friends who have had relatively easy lives and are deeply empathetic people.