2007-01-11 05:51:47 · 15 answers · asked by alhadi1989 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Tell them that your sorry that this happened to them, be there for them, hold their hand( if they want you to), cry with them, just spend time with them. Look at them, touch them( most people will pull back from them and my patients tell me that they miss the human touch).
2007-01-11 06:01:10 · answer #1 · answered by mischa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Empathy can only be expressed if the person offering it has lived a similar situation. It implies you understand some of the pain because you have felt it. Offering false or misinterpretable empathy can be mistaken for pity. Sympathy, on the other hand, can be offered in an assertive manner. Sympathy simply allows you to share the pain regardless of your past personal experience with the situation. Your natural, unobtrusive, caring and genuinely heartfelt support is most welcome.
2007-01-11 06:52:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't, unless you've been through a terminal illness all you could offer is sympathy. I work as a surgeon though and one thing people who are terminally ill say is along the lines of I wish people would stop feeling sorry for me. They've usually come to grips with it and they don't need people to say "I'm sorry you're dying". I think in that sort of situation you're best to express love, show them that you'll be there for them and offer a shoulder when they need it.
2007-01-11 16:25:25 · answer #3 · answered by phoenix 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have a terminal disease, you cannot have EMPATHY. You can be supportive though. Also, surprisingly, when someone gets a terminal disease, people who were social with them or their friends, quit contacting them, as it makes them feel uncomfortable ("heaven forbid!). I do have a friend with terminal cancer, and what she wants the most is just to be listened to and visited. If there is a spouse, be supportive of that person also. It is a very painful ordeal to "pre-grieve".
2007-01-11 06:38:07 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We cannot express empathy unless we also have a terminal illness. The best we can do is express sorrow that it has happened.
2007-01-11 09:34:08 · answer #5 · answered by concernedjean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Empathy requires feeling the pain and suffering of another. Put yourself in their shoes and feel the diffecult feelings. We all must face this some day as life itself is a terminal condition. Think about it and then consider asking your friend if there is anything practical you can do to help them prepare for the inevitable; like making sure their legal affairs are in order and that all the papers necessary a ready for the family. Spiritual care is vital too as it is very inportant that one's passes peacefully, without regret and anger.
2007-01-11 06:02:50 · answer #6 · answered by island girl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
'empathy' is feeling their pain- something you probably can't do. 'sympathy' means feeling comapassion towards them in their unfortunate circumstance. you can prbably be direct about your own thoughts and feelings about them. this would be good, since many people want to shy away from the reality, and end up making meaningless gestures.
2007-01-11 06:02:34 · answer #7 · answered by bjohnson808 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Listen,listen,listen.
2007-01-11 06:16:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
share what you have in common. you are both alive. you are both experiencing the pain of growing. every moment is an opportunity to empathise. engage yourself in the life of another.
2007-01-13 18:37:25 · answer #9 · answered by datingguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just look them in the eye, the rest is natural.
2007-01-11 05:58:51 · answer #10 · answered by Soundjata 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋