Sympathy And Empathy

[Tanishq]

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?

I am feeling confused, It looks both are much similar to each other. :confused:

 

[Cassey]

Empathy is Understanding what others are feeling because you have experienced it yourself or can put yourself in their shoes. Like people on this site
Were as sympathy is Acknowledging another person's emotional hardships and providing comfort and assurance. So may not have gone through what you have/or going through but acknowledge emotions. I.e like a good friend or boss

 

[Tanishq]

Thanks Cassey for your opinion. Appreciate your help. :)

May I ask one more question? Is being sympathetic to someone else count as showing care towards them? Empathy sounds like so to me, but unsure about sympathy.

 

[Cassey]

You show care by both it's just that empathy, is when you have been through it or can put your self in there shoes. For example my big boss shows empathy to me she has clearly experienced something or been very close to someone who has and comes across as being emphatic. Where as my direct boss shows sympathy but that's it says he cares but doesn't really come across that way.

 

[Fadeaway]

To me showing sympathy is basically someone saying, "I can't understand what you are going through, but I care that it is causing you pain."

Empathy is someone saying, "I get what you are going through."

 

[digger]

Sympathy is feeling sorry that someone is feeling the way they are. Empathy is understanding why someone is feeling the way they are.

 

[Tanishq]

Wow, now this is very clear to me. Enjoyed discussing this. Thanks for the help @Cassey ,@Fadeaway and @digger

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Do an Internet search for Brene Brown empathy versus sympathy video. It's a short animated video and it's pretty accurate.

 

[anthony]

There was a big discussion on this years ago: https://www.myptsd.com/threads/sympathy-it-is-creeping-back-here.4548/

 

[Tanishq]

@JEKBreatheandBelieve Thanks for the support. I appreciate it, I always like animated videos.

@anthony I believe I am that empath who doesn't want to be pitied. I read page 1. I guess that's enough for the day, wow. Didn't know there is lot of information on this two terms named sympathy and empathy. I am learning how to use search function precisely.

Thanks for the link. :)