In response to empathy, yes It's now clear to me that others don't spend nearly as much time thinking about how to be helpful/supportive/understanding. For most people I know, it's almost automatic. I do not relate to the feeling of automatically knowing when someone wants to join in conversation, automatically feeling something when I see someone else experiencing something, or in some cases automatically know when I'm being off-putting.

That last part is what I mean about impulsivity still being an issue. I too try to stick on the straight and narrow. But sometimes I find myself in a mindset where I'm thinking that the emotional gratification of dealing with something that is in my way would best be handled immediately and rashly. That said, I can go for very long periods of time repressing that urge to act out. It's just, uncomfortable to a certain extent, and sort of stacks up and compounds if not dealt with.