I feel like I have spent my whole adult life diagnosing other people's problems and offering half baked advice that I've picked up from therapists, friends and literature. (Which sickens me - as I've been told how much I lack empathy for others.) I'm at the point now where I'm realising that I do this for two reasons:

1. To avoid the seemingly countless problems and issues that surround me.
2. To find emotional catharsis - there is pleasure in realising that other people suffer - whether I think it is "worthy' (whatever that fucking means) or trivial.
3. To feel authoritative and empathetic - my experiences with treatment and relationships have left me with a lot of insight. If I can share my experiences with others, it feels like I am finally putting that knowledge into practice and can distract myself from the fact that I feel completely trapped in the behaviours and habits I have developed.