{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/compassion-vs-empathy","path":"/library/compassion-vs-empathy","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/compassion-vs-empathy","title":"Compassion vs. Empathy","family":"Library detail","description":"Learn about reactions to crisis and the importance of empathy in providing support.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/compassion-vs-empathy","wordpressId":"4650","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/allan-schwartz#person","name":"Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.","url":"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/allan-schwartz"}],"dates":{"datePublished":"2014-02-17T05:00:00Z","dateModified":"2025-09-11T07:06:30Z"},"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library\">Library</a></li><li><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/library/emotional-health\">Emotional Health</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Compassion vs. Empathy</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"article-page article-standard\" data-library-standard><div class=\"article-main-grid\"><header class=\"article-heading\"><h1>Compassion vs. Empathy</h1><p class=\"article-inline-credits\">Written by <a class=\"article-credit-person\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/allan-schwartz\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9429.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" loading=\"lazy\">Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.</a></p><div class=\"article-dates\"><span>Published on <time datetime=\"2014-02-17T05:00:00Z\">February 17, 2014</time></span><span aria-hidden=\"true\"> · </span><span>Updated on <time datetime=\"2025-09-11T07:06:30Z\">September 11, 2025</time></span></div></header><div class=\"article-jumpbar\"></div><div class=\"article-layout\"><div class=\"article-reading\"><article class=\"prose\" id=\"article-content\"><p>There are a number of reactions that people have when a friend, neighbor or loved one is in some kind of life crisis, emotional pain and relationship conflict in their life. Some of the reactions may range from apathy to sympathy, empathy and compassion. Of the four reactions, apathy is the most negative because it’s a way of not caring about what happens to the other person.</p><figure class=\"article-feature\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-11831.webp\" alt=\"A couple talks and smiles together on a sofa.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\"></figure><section class=\"article-takeaways\" aria-labelledby=\"key-takeaways\"><h2 id=\"key-takeaways\">Key takeaways</h2><ul><li>Empathy involves understanding or sharing another person’s emotional experience.</li><li>Compassion adds concern and a motivation to help while maintaining some emotional perspective.</li><li>Combining empathy with compassion can support helpful action without becoming overwhelmed by another person’s distress.</li></ul></section><h2 id=\"overview\">Overview</h2><p>For example, when the Phillipines were hit by the huge hurricane that left millions homeless, some people ignored pleas for contributions of money to help the survivors because it was a matter of indifference to them. Those who were sympathetic might have thought that it’s too bad that those people were suffering so very much, and therefore, implying that they are superior or pitying of the victims of the disaster.</p><p>On the other hand, there were many others who felt empathy for the Phillipino people and did not know what to do to help because the entire tragedy was experienced as overwhelming. However, those who felt a sense of empathy and compassion were able to either contribute money, clothes and even more direct help.</p><p>The other three reactions are most positive but there are some problems with the first two, sympathy and empathy. Sympathy carries with it more than a small dose of pity for the other. Of course, the problem with pity is that it strongly implies a superior attitude to the one in pain or need. In other words, it is never helpful to feel sorry for the other person.</p><p>Empathy for the plight of others is very positive and powerful. In it the empathetic person is able to imagine being in the place of the troubled person and feel what they feel. In fact, empathy precedes compassion. Empathy without compassion leaves the individual drained of energy as a result of feeling what the other feels. Empathy occurs immediately and leaves no emotional room between the individual and the one who is suffering.</p><p>Compassion is more cognitive in nature. There is a sense of self awareness that provides some necessary space between the two people. The empathizer experiences the same suffering with the other, leaving the empathizer overwhelmed. As a result, compassion allows the individual the be more helpful than the individual who experiences empathy alone.</p><p>None of this implies that there is anything wrong with empathy. Simply put, we need a combination of both empathy and compassion to be most helpful to people.</p><p>\nAllan N. Schwartz, PhD\n</p></article><div class=\"article-endmatter\"><section class=\"article-about article-panel\"><h2 id=\"about-mentalhealth-com\">About MentalHealth.com</h2><p>MentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.</p><div class=\"article-contributors\"><section class=\"article-bio\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9429.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"><div><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Author</p><h3 id=\"allan-schwartz-ph-d\"><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/allan-schwartz\">Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.</a></h3><p class=\"article-bio-credentials\">LCSW, Ph.D.</p><p>Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. is a medical writer with more than 30 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He writes on a wide range of mental health topics, including mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, stress, and relationship challenges.</p><dl><div><dt>Published</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2014-02-17T05:00:00Z\">February 17, 2014</time></dd></div><div><dt>Updated</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-09-11T07:06:30Z\">September 11, 2025</time></dd></div></dl></div></section></div></section><section class=\"article-medical article-panel article-pending\" role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Pending medical review\"><h2 id=\"medical-review-status\">Pending Medical Review</h2><p>We take mental health content seriously and follow industry-leading guidelines to ensure our users access the highest quality information. All editorial decisions for published content are made by the MentalHealth.com Editorial Team, with guidance from our Clinical Affairs Team.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/publishing/editorial-policy\">Our medical review process</a></section><section class=\"article-expert article-expert-mobile\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9395.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/buck-black\">Buck Black</a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Anger and psychotherapy</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/buck-black\">View experience</a></section><section class=\"article-topic-community article-topic-community-mobile\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-13533.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related communities</p><h2>Crisis Intervention</h2><p>Find information and perspectives about mental health crises and the people who provide support.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/crisis-intervention\">Explore community</a></section></div></div><aside class=\"article-sidebar\" tabindex=\"0\" data-bounded-rail=\"\" aria-label=\"Article navigation and related information\"><details class=\"article-contents\" open data-section-preview=\"3\" data-expanded=\"false\" data-scrolled-past=\"false\"><summary><strong>Table of contents</strong><span aria-hidden=\"true\"></span><small data-current-section=\"\">Choose a section</small></summary><nav aria-label=\"Article contents\"><ol id=\"article-section-list\"><li><a href=\"#overview\" title=\"Overview\" aria-label=\"Overview\">Overview</a></li></ol><button type=\"button\" class=\"article-sections-toggle\" data-sections-toggle aria-controls=\"article-section-list\" aria-expanded=\"false\" hidden=\"\">View more</button></nav></details><section class=\"article-expert\" aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" data-expert-kind=\"related\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><img src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/wordpress/9395.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\"><h2><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/buck-black\">Buck Black</a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Anger and psychotherapy</p><a class=\"profile-experience-link experience-button\" href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/people/buck-black\">View experience</a></section><section class=\"article-topic-community\" aria-label=\"Related communities\"><img class=\"topic-community-banner\" src=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/assets/library/editorial-13533.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" loading=\"lazy\"><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related communities</p><h2>Crisis Intervention</h2><p>Find information and perspectives about mental health crises and the people who provide support.</p><a href=\"https://mentalhealth-v2.workspace-454808.chatgpt.site/community/crisis-intervention\">Explore community</a></section></aside></div></div></div>","text":"HomeLibraryEmotional HealthCompassion vs. EmpathyCompassion vs. EmpathyWritten by Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.Published on February 17, 2014 · Updated on September 11, 2025There are a number of reactions that people have when a friend, neighbor or loved one is in some kind of life crisis, emotional pain and relationship conflict in their life. Some of the reactions may range from apathy to sympathy, empathy and compassion. Of the four reactions, apathy is the most negative because it’s a way of not caring about what happens to the other person.Key takeawaysEmpathy involves understanding or sharing another person’s emotional experience.Compassion adds concern and a motivation to help while maintaining some emotional perspective.Combining empathy with compassion can support helpful action without becoming overwhelmed by another person’s distress.OverviewFor example, when the Phillipines were hit by the huge hurricane that left millions homeless, some people ignored pleas for contributions of money to help the survivors because it was a matter of indifference to them. Those who were sympathetic might have thought that it’s too bad that those people were suffering so very much, and therefore, implying that they are superior or pitying of the victims of the disaster.On the other hand, there were many others who felt empathy for the Phillipino people and did not know what to do to help because the entire tragedy was experienced as overwhelming. However, those who felt a sense of empathy and compassion were able to either contribute money, clothes and even more direct help.The other three reactions are most positive but there are some problems with the first two, sympathy and empathy. Sympathy carries with it more than a small dose of pity for the other. Of course, the problem with pity is that it strongly implies a superior attitude to the one in pain or need. In other words, it is never helpful to feel sorry for the other person.Empathy for the plight of others is very positive and powerful. In it the empathetic person is able to imagine being in the place of the troubled person and feel what they feel. In fact, empathy precedes compassion. Empathy without compassion leaves the individual drained of energy as a result of feeling what the other feels. Empathy occurs immediately and leaves no emotional room between the individual and the one who is suffering.Compassion is more cognitive in nature. There is a sense of self awareness that provides some necessary space between the two people. The empathizer experiences the same suffering with the other, leaving the empathizer overwhelmed. As a result, compassion allows the individual the be more helpful than the individual who experiences empathy alone.None of this implies that there is anything wrong with empathy. Simply put, we need a combination of both empathy and compassion to be most helpful to people. Allan N. Schwartz, PhD About MentalHealth.comMentalHealth.com helps people understand themselves, build healthier relationships, and access the right care. We bring together mental health education, diagnostics, and care management to support well-being throughout every phase of life.AuthorAllan Schwartz, Ph.D.LCSW, Ph.D.Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. is a medical writer with more than 30 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He writes on a wide range of mental health topics, including mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, stress, and relationship challenges.PublishedFebruary 17, 2014UpdatedSeptember 11, 2025Pending Medical ReviewWe take mental health content seriously and follow industry-leading guidelines to ensure our users access the highest quality information. All editorial decisions for published content are made by the MentalHealth.com Editorial Team, with guidance from our Clinical Affairs Team.Our medical review processSubject matter expertBuck BlackAnger and psychotherapyView experienceRelated communitiesCrisis InterventionFind information and perspectives about mental health crises and the people who provide support.Explore communityTable of contentsChoose a sectionOverviewView moreSubject matter expertBuck BlackAnger and psychotherapyView experienceRelated communitiesCrisis InterventionFind information and perspectives about mental health crises and the people who provide support.Explore 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