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Old 11-04-2011, 05:32 PM   #7
Aimless
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Having read the original article, it's hardly as simple as saying "People with personality disorders have no empathy". That doesn't seem to be the theory presented, though it is mentioned.

On the risk of making no friends here, to a degree I think it's true. Being empathetic goes beyond showing the right reactions, if that makes sense. It's possible to pass for completely "normal" yet don't feel the emotions you project - I do that, somewhat. I often struggle to really understand people's emotions, but I do know what sort of behaviour is expected. But saying "Oh dear, that's a terrible disaster happening in xy-country" doesn't mean I feel too bothered by it.

Actually, I think Borderline is an awful example for this, since I do believe that it's pretty overdiagnosed, and thus the proclaimed sufferers may show a wide range of personalities?

Also, while I don't think it's justified to put people into categories so strictly, from what I've witnessed in people around me with certain personality disorders, I think the tendency towards low empathy is there.

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