Hyper-Empathy

By definition it is the innate ability to completely connect and be in tune with another’s emotions. In a sense this sounds like a super power, to understand how someone is feeling simply from facial expressions and body language. However, this is known as a borderline personality disorder. The pain of carrying another person’s feelings can be so intense that you yourself cannot function as well. It’s seen more as a limitation because of hyper empathy it is hard for a person with this disorder to regulate their own emotions. Imagine the rush of emotions Lauren felt when taking the live of another person. Her reasoning was to put them out of pain, much like when she shot the dog, and this is a justified reasoning. However, she was completely in tune with the breath leaving this man’s body. I imagine this disorder as standing on the edge of a roof. You are constantly teetering on the edge. Lean to far and you’ll fall into the abyss of emotions and drown in what you believe you’ve caused. Step back an you dissociate yourself from empathy but it makes you cold, heartless, and it still takes all your strength to not feel. However, teetering on the edge is just as stressful and scary. Its all a matter of what you can handle and what seems worth it.