DH is verbally and musically gifted. He cringes (almost physically hurts) when someone hits a bad note or puts together a lame sentence. He doesn't have a choice--it's how he is wired. The result is that he excels in his field and writes amazingly well. He also comes home from music recitals exhausted and grading papers takes more of a toll on him than on his colleagues.
I think I'm the same with emotions. I "know" what the teacher wants, what they think it important, funny, etc. I remember in college people used to complain about how I just seemed to know what to study--it seemed obvious from how the teacher presented it. I am also a counselor and when a client calls (even a new one) I can tell within seconds what the issue is and how to help. But when a client or a friend is upset with me, it physically hurts (In my brain it goes like this: "they hate me; I suck" in my gut I feel sick. It doesn't stop until I find a way to resolve the problem.) I hate it but I suspect I would have to give up the benefit of the gifts to give up the pain. I like what the gifts have given me.
I am a Myers Briggs INFP. I wonder if others who have the same oversensitivity (I wouldn't call it misreading, just oversensitivity--like the volume is cranked up) to social cues are also.
