Safe harbour statement: I am not, in any conceivable way, qualified to give mental health advise.
True harbour statement: I am rather far down the list of people who should ever, under even the most extreme circumstances or duress, provide mental health advise.
Generalized safe comment statement: I shall generally generalize, based on the quantity of one, which is me.
Introspection is a hell of a drug. Smart people are prone to it. It can be great as a driver toward achieving excellence, while it can also erode self-confidence, and lead to fun stuff like anxiety and depression. When you're good, you know you are nailing it, but you always - between the high-times - worry that there is someone much gooder who will tear you down as a charlatan, even if that someone is a demonstrable idiot.
Introspection drives, introspection hunts, and it's as tough as diarrhea to either control, or nail-down.
The other thing you identify is empathy. You are able to put yourself in someone else's boots, as it were. That is a strength, and it is related to introspection.
Stupid anecdote; I watched
Battle of the Sexes on an airplane, the other day. I knew how it ended, and it wasn't an especially tear-jerking movie. I still had to quietly think other thoughts to keep the joy-tears at-bay.
You are a smart guy, and the ability to introspect and empathize are part of it. The price is obvious. You would rather not be blunt (blind to your own thoughts) or dull (incapable of understanding others). I get it.
The bottom line, according to some asshole on the Internet (namely, me), is you are a creative, introspective, and a very whole person. Sometimes, when overwhelmed, it's a good idea to work with a professional. While it might feel embarrassing, it isn't - everyone does it (hey, like masturbation!... too far, BlehBlah... he probably uses a pick).
Okay, well - I'll try to toss jokes aside.
You be good, sir. These are signs of type of mind which is highly flexible and adept. But, do chat with someone who can help. It might not be the first one or the second, which hits, but the very act of seeking someone to help will relieve you of a large burden; trust me. From there, follow-through becomes comfortable.
Go with it, man. On here, nobody can really help.
EDIT:
Also, just... this... so good.
A quantum state of signature may or may not be here... you just ruined it.