Apathy

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Apathy is something that isn't foreign to me. In fact, I think it is a double edged sword. It wounds both the people that feel it and the other's around them. Or so I've heard. A article that I once read about apathy and it's effects said that it's a combination of frustration and a sense of powerlessness that causes people to "switch off their emotions". I tend to disagree.

To me, apathy is a simple. lack. of substance. Which means no fear, no sadness, no empathy. Little Johnny's piano practise was cancelled because his mom wouldn't pay? Oh. That's... cool. Yeah totally cool.

It's one thing to have clinical depression (which I do), but when you start to feel apathetic all the time with the exclusion of meltdowns, "fudging" (saying "cool" or just responding with something you don't feel to avoid the drama outwardly not caring would bring) emotions... it gets a little much. I don't know anymore to if it is better to have depressive symptoms or just not care. At least when I can't get out of bed in the morning I'm feeling something.

"Did you know that apathy was a symptom of Asperger’s Syndrome? It is not always seen or even connected, but there is a very real link between an individual with Asperger’s Syndrome experiencing stress, and there suddenly being a response of severe apathy. Some have likened it to feeling stuck in a vat of sinking sand and not being able to move their feet to get out." or so says aspergers-autism.com

Okay, so getting to the point. Do you think that Asperger's and apathy walk hand in hand... not just empathy, but a complete lack of emotion? Do you feel apathy, what was your apathy caused by, ect. ect.. Feel free to go in length and tell stories. I didn't post this in the sob-story forum because I actually want a discussion, not hugs from people I don't know...

...not this time, at least.

Although the word apathy is derived from the Greek ἀπάθεια (apatheia),[2] it is important not to confuse the two terms. Also meaning "absence of passion," "apathy" or "insensibility" in Greek, the term apatheia was used by the Stoics to signify a (desirable) state of indifference towards events and things which lie outside one's control (that is, according to their philosophy, all things exterior, one being only responsible of his representations and judgments).[3] In contrast to apathy, apatheia is considered a virtue, especially in Orthodox monasticism.[citation needed] In the Philokalia the word dispassion is used for apatheia, so as not to confuse it with apathy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apathy

Buddhist detachment would be a similar comparison.

Keeping a cool head, rather than being a hot head, is very desirable, especially by police.

To play beautiful music, one must be tuned just right, not too tight, and not too loose

I'm the opposite. Being of an emotional nature, I feel anything but apathy.

I feel so different from everybody else here.

Not that different... I think most people feel some type of emotion.

I don't feel apathy so much as extreme frustration at my inability to act. I could really relate to the "sinking in the sand" image. The frustration is overwhelming and I sort of shut down. Is apathy just another way of looking at autistic inertia?

Yes I have read some of your posts regarding emotional conflicts and emotions and feelings.

I dont think your that different, most women here are probably just as emotional, but may be better at modulating/hiding their emotional expression

Men are taught to act manly, which excludes displays of emotion.

However, defending loved ones, possessions and territory allows an emotional expression of vehemence and intimidation

I feel a lot of emotion! I have a lot of feelings especially for other people!

I don't care about apathy.