Empathy: At the Heart of the Mind

Abstract

Evelyn is a 35-year-old woman who presented to a psychiatrist with complaints of marriage difficulties. As she described some of these difficulties, she leaned forward, and her psychiatrist responded by changing her body posture and unfolding her arms. Evelyn explained that she had been brought up to be stoic in the face of difficulties. When she described some of the family's early circumstances, her expression became sad and her psychiatrist responded by furrowing her brow. Evelyn's parents had encouraged the kids to be self-reliant and independent; problems were not complained about, they were simply dealt with. At present, however, her situation felt overwhelming. She felt embarrassed to have to talk with a stranger about her marriage. Her psychiatrist reflected back, saying that her early family had obviously given her many strengths, and that it must be difficult to have to ask for help. At that point in the conversation, Evelyn's eyes misted over with tears.