Empathy Vs SympathyÂ
I had to look up a definition of these to know the differenceÂ
Sympathy is feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's hardship but not feeling it yourself
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Empathy is that you share the emotional experience often because you have had a similar experience or can deeply.imagine.
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I don't know if anyone will resonate with this but I certainly had neither of these especially empathy during my active addiction. I remember ringing my mother and she would be talking away to me. She would mention about the weather for instance, that Dad has a hospital appointment and shes been food shopping. I would even ask why dad needs an appointment and move the conversation onto myself.I can't believe how shocking addiction is removing all feelings and sense of morals replacing self with numbness and a state of simply functioning and nothing else.Â
Coming into recovery, one of the biggest things I noticed was those feelings returned. I guess empathy happens the minute you join here and start sharing with the tribe who understands for the first time in our lives.Â
To actually listen and empathise with people is true connection.Â
Does anyone else feel the same ?Â
Totally relate to this the gambling takes over the mind which is why alot of people cant get over regret i remember going to a friends wedding and i was looking for bookies around that area has it was another town i made excusses why i couldnt stay till the end fortunately i was lucky once i realised i had a problem i did improve in this area and i wasent an online gamblier which would have been worse that time still haunts me another thing once i came clean my family realised has stuff like family parties and events was difficult they were use to seeing me come in late and leaving early i have a big friends and family so i just couldnt hide the addictionÂ
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