I seem to express the same mental health symptoms as people around me

39% Normal
4 Comments

I feel like a chameleon, but one that changes colour when it doesn't want to. I do speak to several people who aren't exactly "neurotypical", and I've noticed that when I speak to them for a while I do start to show the same symptoms as them.

For example, I show symptoms of histrionic personality disorder when I speak to someone with histrionic personality disorder. I show symptoms of schizophrenia when I speak to someone with schizophrenia. I show symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder when I speak to someone with narcissistic personality disorder.

Note that this doesn't happen in just one conversation, it happens relatively slowly over multiple, tens of conversations.

The only mental health symptoms that have stayed with me for my entire life are my symptoms of anxiety and dissociative identity disorder (I know those are not normal but that's not what I'm asking).

So is this normal or not?

Voting Results
39% Normal
Based on 28 votes (11 yes)
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Comments ( 4 )
  • Anewbis
    8 years ago

    I think you underestimate the power of appearing abnormal and socially anxious to mentally ill people.

    It's not so much understanding the how and what other people are feeling... that is almost impossible before stepping into their shoes, (something you don't always want to do), it's about being sensitive enough about their own body language to be able to gain trust long enough to get some truth from them, and actually be able to help.

    If you are unconsciously taking on aspects of those around you whether you will it or not... then you are empathic. Most people can't do that shit. They can't even fathom being able to.

    You can see it as a gift, or you can see it as a curse.

    Either way, it's your perception that determines reality.
    .
    ...

    Best of luck to you, fellow Neuronaught.

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  • Lonely2
    8 years ago

    A lot of stuff is learned and so we all are influenced by others, try to spend time by yourself just thinking about what you want to be...we even have to work at knowing ourselves

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  • Anewbis
    8 years ago

    It's not entirely common but it's not dangerous as long as you keep a tight grip on who 'you' really are.

    It sounds like you are an empath and do something quite naturally which people spend years learning to do.
    They call it 'building rapport' which just basically means mimicking another person's mannerisms so that they subconsciously identify you with their own family members and instinctively trust you without knowing why they feel that they can confide in you.

    A lot of used car salesmen use this technique, but where they use it in a slimy way, you use it instinctively.

    Gaining the trust of mentally ill people is an extremely difficult thing to do, and it is the first step to being able to actually help them with their issues.
    It's a rare gift if you learn to not let it overwhelm you.

    Have you ever considered becoming a therapist?
    You could do a lot of good.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      I'm not entirely sure who I am, really. Just a ghost, I guess.

      I don't know about that; I've always seen myself as relatively unempathic. It is very difficult for me to understand what other people feel. I personally feel concern for friends, of course, and I can sympathise and try to help them by working through it, but as for feeling what they feel? I draw a total blank. I wish I didn't.

      I would become a therapist. I am incredibly fascinated by abnormal psychology and I genuinely do want to help people. But I think my own mental health problems would prevent me from being a good therapist. Especially considering my social anxiety, which can get quite serious at times and can really mess with things. I can't even eat in front of people I don't know, let alone give them good advice on anything.

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