Hyper-Empathy

There’s such a stigma that autistic people are incapable of empathy. But did you know that some of us experience something called hyper-empathy? I do.

What is it? For me, I can’t handle hearing about people getting hurt. If I do, I get nauseous and upset. Seeing pictures of broken bones or videos of people fighting is unbearable. One time, I watched a girl pull glass out of her hair after a car accident, and I almost passed out.

Pain hits me differently. Sometimes, I can almost feel other people’s pain. It’s not just about understanding what someone’s going through emotionally—I feel their physical pain, too. And it’s terrible.

I once witnessed someone getting shot, and that event has haunted me ever since. The guy lived, but I’m still haunted by the memory. It’s one of the biggest reasons I rarely leave my house now.

When people talk about getting hurt in front of me, I get nauseous and cringe. I have to walk away or cover my ears. I literally can’t tolerate it.

I never had a name for it until I was diagnosed with autism. I’d never met anyone who experienced it like I did. But after sharing in a group, I found out hyper-empathy is quite common among autistic people. It’s comforting to know I’m not so alone in these “weird” things about me.

Until you read again.

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