Hi everyone,

It's a bit confusing for myself, when it is unclear what traits of mine are from what I know I am afflicted with (bipolar and substance abuse disorders) verses other natural and nurture traits.

I do not recall being as impulsive before I was diagnosed. I don't really recall any troubling afflictions aside from the what I believe to be somewhat common traits of childhood angst.

I am trying to isolate variables in my mind to figure out what strengths I have and more abstractly, where I fit in to the world..

Frankly, I have been reading on empathy. I know that it's not always my default response, and it often takes some thought to navigate. I do not have a benchmark for others however, all I can definitivly know is that it just doesn't look like what others look like. But looks and feelings are different.. so I guess no one will really know.

Anyway, it's not so much an issue as I have been blessed with the ability to learn about social situations and human nature, and appreciate perspectives of others.

I have read things like, those with more empathy exhibit more self control, which is another reason why I ask the question. I don't fully understand why that is. I don't believe I empathize as well as say my sister, and I am more impulsive, but again, I can't really know how much of my impulsivity is from lack of empathy vs bipolar on its own, as those two things aren't necessarily related, as far as I know.