AvPD and empathy.

asphyx wrote:all I thought was 'heh, so what? I don't like his music anyway'.

you dont like micheal jacksons music??

asphyx wrote:Here's an 'empathy quotient' test I found, don't know about how accurate it is:
http://www.glennrowe.net/BaronCohen/Emp ... tient.aspx

It's hard to take an online test seriously (right now) with "BaronCohen" in the link

I don't feel like this test is all that useful for avoidants. When I was answering the questions, I found myself near-guessing at times, which isn't all that helpful. It seemed like the test requires an in-depth, accurate self-awareness in various situations. That would require someone taking it to be as objective as possible, which would be difficult for avoidants. I feel like having someone/people who know you really well to complete the test about you, and weight it against your score, would be much more accurate. That would help mitigate the effects of the low-pass self-esteem filter that is fairly universal for avoidants, as well as responses being dependent on current mood and comparative lack of social experiences.

m1norityofone984 wrote:

asphyx wrote:Here's an 'empathy quotient' test I found, don't know about how accurate it is:
http://www.glennrowe.net/BaronCohen/Emp ... tient.aspx

It's hard to take an online test seriously (right now) with "BaronCohen" in the link

I don't feel like this test is all that useful for avoidants. When I was answering the questions, I found myself near-guessing at times, which isn't all that helpful. It seemed like the test requires an in-depth, accurate self-awareness in various situations. That would require someone taking it to be as objective as possible, which would be difficult for avoidants. I feel like having someone/people who know you really well to complete the test about you, and weight it against your score, would be much more accurate. That would help mitigate the effects of the low-pass self-esteem filter that is fairly universal for avoidants, as well as responses being dependent on current mood and comparative lack of social experiences.

True, I think being avoidant skewed the results a little because there was some questions about being afraid of social situations and what not.

However I truly believe I lack empathy, I just watched a video of some guy getting beheaded (it's called "Neo Nazi Beheading") and every one of the comments/reaction videos I've watched of it have people with strong reactions to it, saying it is the most disgusting thing ever blah blah. I was actually pretty scared of watched it at first but then I actually watched it and I was like... oh that wasn't so bad. Oh well...

I thought I was kind of leaning towards empathetic on the close ones and I still got only 20 on the Empathy Quotient

asphyx wrote:
However I truly believe I lack empathy, I just watched a video of some guy getting beheaded (it's called "Neo Nazi Beheading") and every one of the comments/reaction videos I've watched of it have people with strong reactions to it, saying it is the most disgusting thing ever blah blah. I was actually pretty scared of watched it at first but then I actually watched it and I was like... oh that wasn't so bad. Oh well...

I got pretty pissed when I watched the Nick Berg beheading in HS.

I have some empathy I guess.

I scored 48.

I think part of my AvPD is being hypersensitive to my surrounds and trying to read or second guess people.
Also having been rejected, made to feel bad about myself I try to make others feel acepted, or treat them nicely.

You know the ole "treat others as you'd like to be treated".

I used to be quite an angry person and probably lacked empathy a few years ago.
Now I usually just feel sad. So maybe I've changed to be more sympthatic and my life experiances have made it som I can empathise more.

ultimate_krang wrote:you dont like micheal jacksons music??

Nope, why does that surprise you? :S

Pop music = FAIL

See Im pretty much screwed here. I'm avoidant and I'm also an empath. So I feel people's emotions but because Ive been hurt so much by other people I keep my distance and basically shut it off. Its not good.

i feel that i'm very mean in this matter.or maybe this is how my AvPD has dictated things for me.
i feel very little or no empathy for people who i perceive as harmful[ones who make me go into my shell].but people with whom i feel comfortable,those who understand and accept me,bring out the empathy in me.

bump

I think that partially the huge amount of empathy made me avoidant. For a male that kind of quality can be very embarrassing. Lots of hugging, crying when other cried, taking care of others. Later in my childhood I started to get more distant. I was way too sensitive. I just couldn't handle rudeness.

Then later in adulthood psychologist made me to do AQ test (wtf). Well, scores were pretty high. Of course I was underestimating myself (which happens quite often). It was clearly the high level of anxiety which made me to behave (somewhat, nothing offensive or something like that) and perform like someone in autism spectrum. However I didn't get the diagnosis for that (luckily). I am actually pretty good at examining people. I was able to put it on right spot on the scale after the AvPD diagnosis. I really felt sorry for psychiatrist who diagnosed me. He was so stressed and frustrated.

I just avoid expressing my feelings. Sometimes I avoid some situations in order to get too overwhelmed.

Sorry my English isn't so good.