Home Menu

Menu


Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old Sep 14, 2017, 11:55 PM
pegasus's Avatar
pegasus pegasus is offline
Q&A Leader
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 94,092
I saw an interesting question in my forum here with regards to the difference between self-pity and empathy towards oneself. It's a good question. For whatever reason I am unable to answer directly to the OP!

So for those that may be interested in my opinion on this....

Self-pity is about a 'poor me' mentality. There is no solution to it.

Where as empathy for self involves understanding why and helping to come up with solutions. Empathy = compassion.

Self-pity will leave you in that deep hole that you are in. Saying all that, it is very hard to have empathy/compassion and understanding for ourselves. Having compassion for others can teach us a lot in turning that understanding on ourselves...
__________________


Pegasus


Got a quick question related to mental health or a treatment? Ask it here General Q&A Forum

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing that it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein
Hugs from:
healingme4me, Sunflower123, Travelinglady
Thanks for this!
healingme4me, WarmFuzzySocks, ~Christina

advertisement
  #2  
Old Sep 16, 2017, 04:28 AM
Sunflower123's Avatar
Sunflower123 Sunflower123 is offline
Legendary Wise Elder
 
Member Since: Jan 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 26,579
Thank you for straightening that out.
Hugs from:
pegasus
Thanks for this!
pegasus
  #3  
Old Sep 16, 2017, 12:40 PM
healingme4me's Avatar
healingme4me healingme4me is offline
Perpetually Pondering
Community Liaison
 
Member Since: Apr 2013
Location: New England
Posts: 46,298
I haven't scrolled further than this post, as I was initially scanning lower reply numbers.

I'd go further to say in addition that having self compassion and knowledge of oneself leads to deeper empathy for others in turn.
Self pity can be self defeating in its own way as it can limit ones ability to discover areas about oneself that is bendable, adjustable, self corrected, changed, adjusted. It can lead to giving others more power over oneself than deserved or justified. Can lead to hopelessness. An inability to shift life's direction. Dependent on the actions of others as opposed to independent and in control of ones own destiny. Can be fatalistic, in a way.

Certainly, thought provoking, Pegs
Hugs from:
pegasus
Thanks for this!
pegasus
Reply
Views: 360

attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:07 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.




 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.