Discussion Apathy

Sometimes I feel that there might be something wrong with me whenever I feel like I should be more caring, more sad, more hurt, more affected, more angry, more disgusted, more offended or more empathetic when something happens. Even when it's something personal and it should really affect me, I feel apathetic. It's the same when it concerns others whether they are close to me or not.

I know that there's at least nothing physically wrong with me as I'm healthy and have had my brain checked. As for my mental health, besides some mild depression, nothing wrong or severe. On matters of my psychology, I'm pretty certain I'm a normal, average, functioning human being and am not a sociopath or anything of the likes. Though, I've never had a psychiatric assessment.

I just contribute my apathy as a part of being human and that deep down everyone knows they're a piece of sh*t. My cynicism, nihilism, and experiences as I proceed through life also contribute to my apathy and strengthen my beliefs in humanity's inherent apathy and selfishness.

I also relate and feel more emotions from animated and fictional characters and stories than I do for live action or real life.

 

That's because you simply care more for the fictional characters than people around you. You relate more to them, you know their stories and you understand their thoughts, you have a clear view of their personalities and their goals. More than anyone in real life and that is the beauty of fictions.

 

Is that a bad thing? If real life cannot make you care more for it then fiction it just mean real life is not worth caring.

 

Welcome to the life of an NPC, anon, we welcome you.

 

I have the same problem with you... but I'm not really bothered by it... Once you really understood what apathy is and what made you apathetic toward certain things or event you'll be able to gain more emphaty... You must understand yourself first...

 

Yup, you have got a "problem" in your psyche (than can't be really called a problem, since is not entirely harmful). Honestly, as I don't know you well, I can't say much; but as you grow your interactions with other humans shape your personality, and your amount of empathy and apathy too (though you may have certain tendencies because of your genes). However, apathy is not that great of a problem, as being empathetic toward other living beings is not something completely a must as a human being; however, everything that exists has a source, so does your apathy.

You said you have mild depression and, since I can only speculate, I'd say that the events and experiences that lead to it may have been impactful enough to decrease your empathy. I am no specialist, but I'd say that apathy is a means of protection against suffering; so you may like to think about hurtful events in your life that may have resulted in you wanting to protect yourself from emotional pain - the source of this may lay there. Your empathy toward fictional characters would then by explained by the fact that, since you know they are not real, you do not fear being hurt by empathizing with them.

Do note that I have been awoken for eighteen hours and that I am sleepy (or else I wouldn't even post this); moreover, if you are really concerned about your apathy you should not ask a bunch of weirdos on the internet, but seek professional help. And, to conclude this, I must say I am only a university student, so all I wrote might be wrong, since other than studying for my tests I never study....

 

I can relate. Would take a lot if I talk about myself, but I'm kinda similiar. Do try to communicate more with your friends/colleagues/relatives. It helps slightly. Also, stop your self-loathe and think more positively.

 

You... we are the same. Lmao, I cant trust those ppl irl. Nothing wrong with that, self defense mechanism. Usually is there in someone who's forced to cope with hardship/ hard situation believing that they are alone in it and they only have themself. Our defense toward other is quadruple so they cant hurt us.
Probably easier to relate to fictional characters because usually we are inside their mind, so we know their thought process and how 99% isnt hidden from us.

 

My mood swings from "poor spider, let me get you out of here" to "lol that guy's head is gone"

Btw, what you feel is normal. Some people have the capacity to hold so much empathy, while the other could barely hold a tiny fraction of it.

What important is to never mistook the target of your empathy.

 

When you talk to people and think it would result to them to think that we are close, ""close"" as in 'Guhehe, whenever i need something I can ask it out of her!' >,>;

 

It might be because of the mild depression you said you have. If you want help then you should go to a psychiatrist and get professional help.

If it isn't affecting your life in a negative manner then don't worry about it. You're just a pessemistic person. Maybe read up on some philosophy to better understand how you can improve your mindset.

 

Rather than seeking professional help, meeting a bunch of other 'internet weirdoes' that think the same as you feel more reassuring in a 'im not the only one thank god' way

 

My definition of a true friend is quite extreme. Unless I can trust you with my life or give mine to you, then they will forever remain in my mind as mere acquaintances. The word "friend" is just something I feel is quite casually given by most people and used too much by people to refer to othes they know slightly better or are closer with than most strangers.

 

I AGREE WITH YOU. JUST, WOW, YOU TAKE A SELFIE WITH THEM AND SUDDENLY THEY ARE YOUR BESTIE ALREADY. I only laughed sardonically when my acquiantance from the other class did that and the next day, just because a minor problem, they are now arch nemesis

 

If you neglect your social life and judt watch/read about fictional characters all the time, then of course that would happen. After all, a lot of fictional characters were made with a lot of effort in order for the reader/watcher to be more sympathizable in order for the reader/watcher to continue on with that particular story; and of course, if you stop trying to learn more about other "characters" in your life, then you would stop caring about them since knowing is caring. My advice if you just want to stop being "apathetic" (as described and prescribed by all those novels and shows you've read), then just talk to other people, starting with your family.

Still, you don't have to worry since it's probably just a phase. Unless you get a mental illness or something, then you won't have to carrying those imaginary burdens once you turn at least 20.

 

It's not something I really concern myself with and more of something I noticed in myself and have seen through my self-reflection. It's like I'm apathetic towards my apathy. I don't think it's really has had a negative impact in my life. I also don't think it's because of my depression. My apathy has always been a thing even in my childhood. I also don't think it's something stemming from some past experience or event though I admit that my life experiences and naturally progressing though life and growing up has increased my apathy more than I had originally. I just think it's something in my nature and that I'm just such as a person that holds low empathy.

 

Reflecting back on the best friend I have until now, the bond didnt feel rushed nor forced. It just form and developed naturally, without either side trying harder than the other to make it happen--well, because the more you force thing to happen, the more it didnt. Nor did they expect any reward, goods, or benefit from befriending me. Once someone asked something out of me under the notion that we are 'friend', I stopped seeing them as a potential one for me.

 

I only care about my family, and except for some really close friends, other? Not really.

 

I don't think it's that either though. I have people who I would give my life for and even then I feel like I'm not as empathetic as I should be for them. I also don't think it's a phase nor an illness. It just feel it's just how I am.

 

that's because your brain has been haywire by the system of human society this days. everything felt so empty and nothing feel like you owned it. our system is creating us to becomes mindless robot that doesn't have feelings whether to be sad or happy since everybody don't care about how you feel and life keep move on no matter how you feel.