# The Difference Between Empathy and Sympathy - Author: **rjr** - Document Tags: [[Empathy]] [[Sympathy]] - [URL link](https://www.psychmc.com/blogs/empathy-vs-sympathy)  ## Highlights defines sympathy as “the feeling that you care about and are sorry about someone else’s trouble, grief, misfortune, etc.” --- defined as “the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions” or “the ability to share someone else’s feelings.” --- Empathy is not about how to fix another person but about listening to another person’s pain and sharing their difficult thoughts and feelings --- When you express empathy to them, it lessens their feelings of being misunderstood and judged. - Note: my empathy is likely what helped during those high school moments --- The Differences Between Empathy and Sympathy --- shown in how much compassion and understanding we can give to another --- more of a feeling of pity for another --- When we relate with empathy, we give the other person space to own their emotions and feelings. We reflect on what they are feeling and provide a safe space for all emotions, even negative ones. When we relate with sympathy, we move into problem-solving mode. We have ideas and judgments about how the person feels and what they should do. --- some tips for showing empathy ---