I have similar issues, and I've read scientific opinions [1] theorizing that people diagnosed with aspergers may actually have extreme empathy to the point wher

I have similar issues, and I've read scientific opinions [1] theorizing that people diagnosed with aspergers may actually have extreme empathy to the point where it paralyzes them. I've been diagnosed with aspergers by one specialist. I had experience that sort of wreaked havoc on my life, so I've learned to carefully not conflate the term empathy with 'mind reading'. It takes a lot of practice, but you can actually learn to (not turn off, but subdue, I suppose is the best wording) the voice in your head that flags every face, body expression, tone of voice, topic of conversation, etc - to a more appropriate level, a more course granularity (depending on the relationship). If you want. I used to memorize conversations and attempt to predict what people were thinking/wanted/needed, and based my action and decision from this prediction. I was very unhappy. I felt like I had no self, my mind was just consumed with the needs of everyone else. I am also a domestic abuse survivor, so I think my obsession with people behavior, feelings, and thoughts has been 'on alert', hypervigilant. At some point I had to decide that I wanted to study code and math more than I wanted a false sense of people security. I am less depressed because of it, but I also avoid close relationships. It is easy to fall into a black hole when others are suffering because it is so incredibly sad. But I just try to be strong and supportive now, because the world needs people like that too. [1] - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518049/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2518049/