You know, when I read or hear things like that... that she has felt empty inside her whole life... for just one small moment I feel some pity. I can't imagine what that must feel like... kind of like 'why am I even here?' To not feel love, joy, understanding, empathy. I really do think that would be like hell on earth... and then it all goes away... and I despise her again.
I'm not certain "empty" would be quite like that.
I believe the "love, joy, understanding, empathy" feelings are not in this category. By way of example, you may know someone who lacks one or other of these emotions, or at least seems to. Do you know anyone who has Aspergers ("high functioning" on the autism spectrum)? Some Aspies will appear to have no empathy; this is not about evil, and it is not about being mean. It is a quirky wiring in the brain. You would not call these folks "empty."
Also, there are many in the world who cannot experience joy because of life circumstances or because they have dour personalities. You would not call these folks "empty."
Etc.
So by "emptiness" I think something different is meant.
The definition in Jodi's journals is suspect, too, because she's so overly dramatic about everything and "emptiness" is quite a cliché.
Jodi may also be using it as a synonym for depressed feelings. It would be just like her to do that.
I actually thought Dr. DeMarte was exploiting Jodi's frequently expressed feelings of "emptiness" to nail her diagnosis in the court, but may have considered the words to be just immature drama. Dr. DeM may, in fact, have noticed a true "emptiness" in the clinical context (maybe sociopathic traits), but wanted just to go with Jodi's own words for the sake of the trial.
I suppose from a psychologist's point of view, "emptiness" would be an indicator that a person needs other people to fill him/herself up.
Brain bubble: Dang, if certain gas cans aren't coming to mind....
Back on topic.
I would think a basic task of counseling for a person who feels "empty" is to have them do stuff! How can you possibly feel "full" if you have no purpose and nothing to do all day? You might not wish to be busy, but heck, that's not about "empty": it's a choice.
Getting going and doing productive things are often a stepping stone to looking more closely at who you are as a person. Think of someone who's depressed. They are pressured by counselors to exercise, eat correctly, get a certain number of hours of sleep, get out and do something even if they don't feel like it. The new energy sets the stage for self-examination.
Jodi made herself feel full by manipulating people all day long. She often didn't have a job, a place she was paying rent on, willingness to develop her basic abilities (except maybe her knack for tracing). She chose activities, e.g. Othello, not to engage in the activity, but to manipulate people's perception of her. I guess that would summarize Jodi: she had no will to do anything different with the "cards" she had in her life. She wanted others to make that happen for her. I don't believe this is "emptiness". I'm thinking it's "spoiled brat" or "immature". And she chose not to get counseling.
I'm not saying that a person can't be incapacitated by depression and have frequent feelings of "emptiness." I'm saying Jodi's not it: she never had a drive to be another way.