More so in the days of pms than now. So that should clue you in to my age.
But yes I get very seriously emotional especially when i see or hear of animal abuse. There is this one commercial for the humane society that is just way too heart breaking and it is played over and over on the network i watch. i just reach a point where I have to turn the channel until it's over. I don't think there is anything wrong or abnormal about feeling saddened by the reality of life, of animal, or human abuse or to feel deeply affected by human exploitation of our natural resources to the point that it is infringing on natural animal habitats and if ensuring their probable extinction.
But there is only so much we as individuals can do. Not everyone is wealthy and can make a monetary contribution although we can volunteer our time and make it a point to learn the truth about the products we buy, how they are developed and made and then to make a conscious decision to only buy those products that don't exploit either humans or animals. That is a very tuogh job but imo that is one way to contribute that will make a difference. Companies that don't sell their products because they chose to exploit human labor, natural resources or endorse animal abuses,will either be put out of business or will have to learn to sell products that aren't based on exploitation.
I think what happens to abuse survivors is as our awareness grows about what we have experienced within our own lives so does our global awareness and consciousness grow. That is a good thing and in finding a way to contribute it helps to relieve some of the sadness and guilt that is forced upon us through the media.

I don't think you're off the charts. I tear up for the same reasons you listed. I still cry when I see reruns of Little House on the Prairie. Even the beauty of art and nature can move me to tears. This is just MHO, but I think many of us who find ourselves in abusive relationships tend to be highly empathetic. I believe its one of the qualities that attracts abusers to their sources. My empathy for the ex kept me from leaving sooner.

I get ridiculously emotional at a lot of things, generally anything involving someone suffering or succeeding in the face of adversity seems to make me well up. Just been listening to this song, it makes me cry every time I hear it: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=OWIVi_Oa4as&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DOWIVi_Oa4as&gl=GB

"Anyway, I guess I was just wondering if anyone else has such up and down and fluctuating emotions or if I am just off the charts here? ?"
My pms comment was in response to the above question. I don't think feeling emotional is abnormal but if your emotions are fluctuating wildly and it is interfering with your ability to function then maybe it's time to get some help either through medications or counseling but that doesn't sound like what you are describing.

I have to agree with you all. I'm glad it's not just me. Must be more people than I ever dreamed of that those things affect. Actually I tear up more, or at least just as fast for happy things.
I will admit to Little House also. LOL
Yes, Learned, I know the commercials. I watch a channel like that when I get into bed so I just close my eyes. I will not watch. I do give my kitty some extra pats though.
I guess we are more alike than we thought.

Aside from hormones and being in or having been in emotionally charged environments, such as abuse, there are other reasons why some people are more emotionally affected by movies, poems, music, and art than others. It has to do with personality. It's not a bad thing....to rank high in emotionality. The most creative people in the world do. It also has to do with openness to experience....and I'm not talking about bungy-jumping or ski-diving.....but rather being open to experiencing new and different things.....like cuisines, different music, different cultures.

These two things combined make for highly sensitive people....the very thing abusers seem to hate most about us.

Enjoy the fact that you feel so deeply. It can serve you well in life by bringing compassion and creativity into everything you do.

Thank you everyone for your replies and support. I do believe, Yes, that our empathy and sensitivity attracts our abusers in the beginning and then repels then towards the end. I get why it attracts them because they use it to manipulate us. I am not sure why it repels them, but I feel it might be because they cannot feel it?
Anyway, I am now taking Wellbutron to level out my moods and the Dr increased the dosage as I can become depressed easily, so we shall see how that works.

Oh and RUnning Wild, that video and song are beautiful, I was moved to tears as well and I love horses, have one of my own. Thanks for sharing it.

I think my abuser began to be more controlling when he realized that my empathy and kindness weren't just for him. I'm a social person, and people feel comfortable talking to me. I also devote more of my love and attention to our children than to him.

I think the repulsion has to do with jealousy.

Sometimes and I realize this is sad to admit but I feel jealousy at the abusers ability to turn their emotions on and off like a light switch and move on so quickly. The ability to just replace and interchange people in their life as if they are chess pieces and continue to play the game without any suffering on their part. In the meantime we have emotions that tear us apart, frustrate us, keep us obsessing etc.

If you are living with abuse or if you have recently escaped from abuse it is natural for your emotions to be all over the place. Even though I got off of my daily rollercoaster of abuse, the roller coaster part continued for awhile after I left.

Just remember that the empathy you feel should be focussed more on your and less on anything else around you, especially when you are going through a difficult time. Hugs to you hon...

Thanks wvartgirl for you kind words. I need to focus on me, just have always been the caretaker in my family, even as a small child so it is hard to care for myself if that makes sense? I seem to make that a pattern in relationships and well, it just does not work for long. :(