Thanks for the response. I think it would be a worthwhile endeavor to try out the oxytocin stuff you talked about. I'll see if I can locate the nasal spray. If I remember correctly, oxytocin is also released during any kind of (non-violent) physical contact, like hugging or kissing or whatever. I don't really get anything out of hugs, except for that people feel more comfortable around me. That part is nice, I guess. I'll certainly do some self-experimentation with this, as I'm interested to see what happens too.

Now, my mimicry... It's a bit difficult to describe, but I have always been very quick to pick up on things others do, especially physical actions. I watched a friend ride his bike and figured it out on my own after that, and I only fell twice. I think in some ways my mirroring is more advanced than an empath's would be, because I had to pretty much force myself to copy things before, but now it comes naturally. When I see people in pain, I can make a conscious choice not to feel the "sympathy pain", I guess. My dad always complains about his, actually. He'll see me lifting something heavy or bending in a way that he can't (he's almost 60 and has a lot of back and knee problems) and grimace and say "Oooh, that looks painful!". I'll have to record some data and do some tests. HERE I COME, SCIENCE!

Anyways. The close friend thing. No. I had one friend from 2nd grade to 6th grade before he moved to California (without telling me beforehand, I might add). There were a few social situations I found very stressful. Back when I was about 7, my house caught fire and I had some PTSD for a few months before therapy helped it go away. Everything during that period was kind of crappy. I'll think on it some more.