Can you read discussions without them having an impact on how you feel?

I do feel empathy for the writer of those type of posts. I try to help the best way I can and I do worry.

Oh come on, I'm the one that cries over commercials :) Of course I get emotionally involved in the discussions, I just can't help it. Whether it be anger, pain, sympathy, joy - there are a wealth of emotional discussions here daily. And yep - there are days I am on an emotional rollercoster because of the discussions :)

I definately get emotionally involved in SOME of the discussions...when a friend from here is having a rough go OR when something really good happens to them too I definately feel it...And no I can't just walk away and forget about it/them...When something touches me it stays with me..

i am a very empathetic person but i dont really get that involved but for some, i do say a little prayer for them. God is much bigger than i.

I can get quite emotional too ctry and often do when my friends on mylot are going through some tough issues or having to deal with the loss of a family member or friend. I have even left angry on a few occasions when some discussions get out of hand. I have also learnt a lot from my mylot friends and I am grateful that there are some discussions that have helped me to move on with life and strive to do better. I even get a lot more motivation and support here than I do in the real world :)

I have a terrible time sometimes with the things that happen to people on MyLot. I cry for those who have been abused, those who have lost a loved one (including their pets) and those who are having a hard time financially. I also am happy for those who do well and I laugh with those who post humor.

I can get very emotional, too. I have to be careful on some conversations, because I have problems w/ depression. If I see, hear, or read anything on (for example) child abuse, I have to walk away before it gets to me. If I don't, I'll go into a deep depression. I have strong empathy, too. People w/ empathy are the ones that make good Therapists and are good at helping people. They have the gift of putting themselves in another persons shoes. People don't want help from someone who has no idea what they're talking about. I use to let everyone come to me for their problems, and I didn't know how to handle it. So it made me so depressed that I did some scary things. Since then, I've trained myself to address it when it's in front of me, but let it go when it leaves me. It's not always so easy. But, I have to. I want to be a Psychologist. Having empathy is good, but I have to make sure it doesn't effect me in a negative way. Those w/ strong empathy, usually say the right words that others need to hear.

There are a lot of discussions that has made me really emotionaly, others got me angry (racism topics) and others have lifted up a weight in my chest... There are many discussions here, one could never ran out of a topic to answer and with all the variety of this available to us, i think it is never too easy not to get too involved.

sometimes this happens to me too...I can read a discussion that is sad or that person is going through some real bad times,and i feel so bad for them..I have even stopped what i was doing and say a pray for them,or ask god to touch them or sent them peace of mind..It is very hard to be friends with someone even online and not get involved with what they are going through...

I can't say I get excessively involved on an emotional level. I have never been brought to tears, however, some discussions do have me thinking more than others. With some I do feel a sense of sadness descend upon me, almost to the point where I cannot respond properly to the discussion because I am at a loss of words. However, as far as being in tears because of it and having it impact the rest of my day, that has not happened so far - I am pretty stable in that regard which is ironic because normally I get emotionally disturbed quite easily. The only big emotional responses I tend to have to internet discussions are anger - if the majority seems to hold a belief that I find to be wrong or mislead (such as a political discussion where all my favorite candidates/politicians seem to get trashed). When I hear of someone being ill or having surgery it always makes me want to pray for them and wish I could help them in some way.

I can't help myself, ctry, when someone is going through a difficult time. I do tend to empathize with them and will pray for the best outcome in their situation. I would hope that the same would be done for me if I am going through a tough time. Feelings are what makes us human, and I feel things easily and deeply.

I know how you feel. Sometimes the discussion is so sad I can't even respond to it. It's amazing how many people tell all here, but I guess at times I do too. This is a good site for us to relieve our stress in our lives. I try to emphathize with most people but sometimes I think it is bettter to be totally honest with them and tell them as you see it. I don't want to ever be mean to anyone, but when they ask for people's opinions I give it straight. Again, this is only my opinion and I personlly, don't take mylot too serious.

Depends.

Everything I read and see impacts my feelings. I see a sappy commercial I cry. I see an underdog win I cry. I read some of the things people are going through and my feelings go out to them. I do not think there are many people who are not impacted by things they read or see that affect others.