AIBU to worry he can't catch yawns?

[crossyroadie]

(Lighthearted. Kind of)

Ex-DP is admittedly very selfish: he's successful and has to be the best at everything he does which worked its way into our relationship, which became quite insidious and is why I ended it. He's seeking help for this and, while I'm pretty sure I don't want to be back in a relationship with him, we work well on a friendship level and I'm happy to support him through his therapy which can be quite grueling at times.

We went for a coffee over the weekend and I noticed something - he didn't catch my yawns, something I've read is a sign of a psychopath - www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/your-online-secrets/201508/why-psychopaths-are-immune-contagious-yawning

He protested it was because he'd napped that day and wasn't tired. I think it's because he totally lacks empathy.

AIBU to think he might have problems deeper than therapy if he can't catch yawns?

My 7 year old doesn't yawn when I do. Great something new to worry about!

Sounds like he had a lucky escape

You've read 'why psychopaths are immune to contagious yawning'' and twisted it to mean 'anyone who doesn't yawn along is a psychopath'.
Yawns are not that contagious, if they were we would never be able to stop.

I find this sort of thing really interesting too...maybe you should see if there are other 'psychopath tests' you could do on him
Ask him if he ever had a really bad head injury as a child. That is a link between a lot to psychopaths who have gone on to later commit serious crimes.

The research does say that catching yawns is linked to empathy.

Except that it doesn’t. Some research suggests that it may. Other research suggests it may not, and all research notes that the clinical field is not the best indicator of this sort of thing.

Okay I am interested in the other research. I did not know about that and will look for it.
But wish you had just said that in the first place.

The only people who think disorders of personality are a "light-hearted" topic of conversation are those lucky enough to never have encountered the real thing. Op, stop watching crap "psych" documentaries.

Haha,
You remind me of some TV show where a detective yawns and suspect does not. But then the suspect deadpan asks the detective if he was yawning to check if he would catch it and decide if he was a psycho or not.

I never knew that, sounds odd to me. I don't 'catch' yawns either, at least I don't think so. If I am going to yawn I stifle it and cover it in public as it is rude not to.

Well I have learned something today so will now read the link you posted.

Is there something called mirror empathy? There are different kinds, types, directions of empathy. Mirroring has a specific function and some people don't do it. It's a bonding thing.

DH doesn't, and he's also immune to any undercurrents in any situation. He is quite oblivious to tension between people, even if aimed at him. Lucky chap.