Well I've known for a while I'd like an oxytocin shot, but it's not an option! :meh:
"The findings suggest that patients with PTSD suffer from significant and comprehensive deficits in compassion. These deficits may indicate that in response to the distress of the other, patients with PTSD may have difficulty in inferring and understanding the circumstances leading to this distress, and may failed to act with compassion in light of distress others."
Interesting, and yet, a very very small study. Negligibly small? Also very qualitative. Also...a little weird. I am compassionate and empathetic...probably above average based on how I handle things at work and help others take perspective vs get all selfish. But it's a tiny sphere of people I interact with who would even observe this about me. That's not saying I alone can cancel this out. I just don't relate. BUT, I feel my own empathy and my ability to respond as two separate things. Unfortunately quite separate sometimes. This study seems to be saying they are the same thing (the feeling and the response). I can understand but I can be numbed out at the same time. I can feel but lack for confidence in how to respond because I haven't had loads of great practice in relationships.
But selfishly, I'll admit I don't love studies that suggest people with PTSD lack for compassion. We're not assholes. We're often numbed out. Or, maybe able to empathize or feel but energetically or otherwise ill-equipped to respond appropriately. I don't see how this study, especially so small and with the methods used, could suggest people with PTSD are less compassionate than the healthy controls. :O_o::meh:
