Empathy - Sympathy

Alright...

After being nonsense for awhile, let me write something serious.

If you don't understand, take that it's because of my poor English. And if you want to understand clearer.... I can describe you more, but only in Thai.





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There's a good side of my study field -- Social Work.

It's to learn how to see the world.


One of those important things is "Empathy"


It's to understand human being that we all are independent, different and can't be judged by only one standard.




But you have to categorize between "Empathy" and "Sympathy"

Notice that they are different.



When you empathize someone, there's no need to sympathize or pity them.

At the same time, when you sympathize someone, you may not understand them.

Sympathy (Oil on canvas)
By Briton Riviere, 1878

I was taught to have empathy and avoid having sympathy.


Because what?


Because Sympathy may lead to other feelings, such as pity and compassion.

When you sympathize someone, there's hidden meaning -- they're judged that they're pitiful by whatever reasons you have.


If you can't stop this feeling, it would lead you to have compassion.

and take that feeling to your heart.



For example,

You're friend breaks up with his girlfriend, loses his job and has problem with his family. You have sympathy toward him and feel sad for him.

Or... you saw a puppy was crushed by a car. You pity it and it lead you feel like you're unable to eat.



Actually, it's very simple to have sympathy toward anyone.

If there's someone don't have this feeling....., that should be concerned.



Problem is...

Sometimes there's too much sympathy to deal with. There's so much compassion that make you feel unhappy.



Sympathy happens easily.

But the challenge is how you can understand people without feeling bad.



It may be simple for general people. But for some vocations that have to be involved with any lives --doctor, nurse, social worker, psychologist or vet -- this issue is very important.

When we have to work with cases who come to us, bringing pretty tough problems in their lives, it's hard not to think about what we should do to help them. And if we let those problems and concerns get thru our minds, more and more, we would have mental health problem finally.





There's a stone on the ground.

When you pick it up, get to know its shape, colour or other characteristics,

You can choose.... you'll put it down or grasp it in your hand.

There's a thin line between "Empathy" and "Sympathy."


Can't you see?

That your strength is challenged to cross the line.