[LavenderFruitNinja]

I'm very sorry if this is the wrong board, it can be moved if necessary and I will try to find the right one next time if I have messed up.

I was wondering if this (the title) is possible. In terms of emotional and cognitive empathy, as well as sympathy, I lack them almost entirely except for particularly emotional moments. However, I often physically feel the pains of others, so I was wondering if somehow I am being "compensated" for my frequent emotionlessness by this. If someone complains of a headache, the usual pain in my head increases a lot, and if I see someone limping, I may unconsciously take on their walking pattern and feel unstable in my stride. Most noticeably in seeing drawings of characters who are impaled or caught with some weapon's blade, I end up physically feeling it as well, such as a knife lodged in my chest making it hard to breathe or blood dripping from an imaginary injury.

Unless this is all simply a product of an overactive imagination as my mom likes to call it, ha.

I am aware the phrasing of this is a bit vague and stilted perhaps, so I apologize if this is unclear. I can give more information if needed and will try to make it less confusing, sorry.

[smartiesparty]

Physical empathy is more common than you think ! I perfectly relate to the feelings you are describing. I don't think it's compensating your lack of emotional empathy, as I know a lot of people who are very emotional and also have this physical empathy you spoke of.

[avlady]

it seems to me they are the same thing. maybe you don't feel an emotion of empathy, but you do feel it pshysically so in some way you are feeling it.

[Thunder Bow]

I think you may be transferring these feelings onto yourself, then transferring them back onto the other person. This probably has something to do with your anxiety you speak of.

Gosh have you experienced labor pains from childbirth? Thinking of you *hugs*

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