psychological disorder where a person has no fealings to another person's suffering?

Question

I have this friend who last year her son ran a fever and fitted and she was unable to get help and left him to fit all night. my son fell down and injured his leg and she showed no concern while he writhed about crying - i was out the back and came in and she was still standing at the sink and not responded to his cries. her husband suicided and prior to suiciding he cried and begged her not to leave stating he would get help and she walked out and later that day he suicided.

yesterday i dislocated my finger and she left me and drove away. later stating she felt physically sick at my pain and ran away, i am actually concerned at her responses is this normal or does she have issues with empathy - ??

After reading your replies its interesting taht 2 months after her husband died she celebrated her birthday with a big party. She puts her children down and yells and intimidates them, often blaming them for her own issues and problems. She also projects issues onto others. I said I was concerned about her when she left so suddenly leaving me injured and she responded "I was concerned about you" I replied yes I had dislocated my finger.

The car that her husband died in she still drives about and cant see the problem.

Answer 1

It does sound a lot like a personality disorder. more info is needed but you should read the DSM-IV-TR, Psychology Bible, on Borderline Personality Disorder.

Answer 2

Actually, we feel that it ios not normal for you friend to react in such way since we believe of what philosopher's call, DISINTERESTED RESPONSIBILITY. It is a sense of obligation toward another eventhough you do not actually know the person.

With her experiences from the past, as you have narrated, she may be having problems in facing/dealing with emergencies. It may be caused by something in her past that caused her to be inactive over stressful situations.

It is better that you ask her about it, ask politely and do not make her feel that she has the ned to explain for her behavior. Just inquire. There you will know why she acts that way. It is also better if she submits to counselling to deal over her problems which obviously shows big effect towards other people.

Answer 3

she is not a sociopath, otherwise she could be a danger to others.

Your friend has a personality disorder, but I am not sure which one. I think its narcissistic personality disorder. People with this type of condition are generally grandiose, need much admiration, and feel no empathy with others. However, I am not sure if she has this disorder, but she is not a sociopath.

It is clear your friend does have a empathy issue, and its not normal.

Answer 4

Some psychologists believe this is caused by the way they were treated the first few years of life. I think the person would at least have to care enough about themself to ask for help or advice from a friend or professional counselor, and receive that therapy when offered.

Answer 5

Think you need a new friend and perhaps you should report her to child protective services. What kind of mother does that to her child?

Sociopath is more like it but are you sure her husband committed suicide or did she help him a little bit?

Answer 6

Sociopath.

Answer 7

sounds like an issue to me but you cant help her she would have to come to realize herself that she has a problem and then get serious help

Answer 8

She might have empathy issues. Or she might simply be numb. Has she always been that way?

Answer 9

Could it be associated with Aspergers (not sure that is the right spelling)

Answer 10

Sociopath.
Good luck