[BraveSwimmer]

I work in healthcare and over the course of seven years I have been in the field, I have become very desensitized to the field. I can see bad things happen right before me and it just doesn't affect me now. It takes a lot for me to feel disheartened by something. I feel less compassionate of a person. When I was a teenager and young child I was so sweet and compassionate and now I don't feel much. I think being bipolar definitely affect the emotional distance I feel is now part of my personality. I feel like it affects me in intimate relationships too somehow. I need to find a way to work on my compassion. It's not that I'm a jerk, there can be times at work my heart really goes out to patients. However, I can see bad things and I feel nothing. I feel like it's made me more stone-hearted intimately in relationships. I've let good things go because I feel scared of committing. So when I end intimate relationship, especially longterm, many wonder why I act unaffected. I think it has to do with my job but also that I've just shut off my feelings along the way in my life ....any advice?

[CANDC]

Having worked in healthcare, I know what you mean. You develop a thick skin and a non reactive attitude so you can cope with extreme levels of stress without breaking.

Developing compassion can be done in many ways. The Dalai Lama has a non-religious approach to compassion. You can find ways yourself to care for others.

Here are some articles that may be provide some insights on compassion
Psych Central - Search results for Developing compassion

Don't be so hard on yourself. You are wonderful.