Have you ever felt that you have nothing to offer emotionally? Or that you are simply drifting through major events of life without feeling any sort of emotion?
You might have noticed on different occasions that you are zoned out, confused, isolated, or empty inside.
These feelings can be a result of emotional numbness. People experiencing emotional numbness may be going about their normal daily life activities, but can’t feel any emotional connection.
An individual who suffers from emotional numbness struggles with two main issues:

1. Processing the emotions
2. Expressing the emotions

Continue reading the article to understand emotional numbness: when someone can’t feel emotions.

What Is Emotional Numbness And Why Does It Happen

Emotional numbness can be defined as the inability to feel emotions. This can be caused by different things such as a traumatic experience, stress, or medication. There are a few potential causes of emotional numbness, but some of the most common ones are listed above.

It is important to be aware of the symptoms of emotional numbness so that you can get help if you are experiencing it.

There are a few main symptoms of emotional numbness that people might experience. One is not feeling any emotions whatsoever, no matter what is happening around them. Another symptom can be feeling emotions very intensely or feeling them less intensely than usual.

Lastly, some people might feel like they are emotionally “shut down” and not really connecting with their emotions at all. If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek help from a professional.

There are ways to deal with emotional numbness and to help someone who is experiencing it. Firstly, it is important to understand what might be causing the emotional numbness. Once you have a better idea of what might be going on, you can start working on ways to address that issue.

For example, if the emotional numbness is being caused by a traumatic experience, then therapy might be a good option. If the person is struggling with stress, then learning how to manage stress may help. Finally, if the person thinks that their emotional numbness might be being caused by medication, then they should talk to their doctor about it.

15 Symptoms Of Emotional Numbness In Adults

Here are 15 symptoms that can help you figure out if you are feeling emotionally numb

1. Inability to feel or express emotions.
2. Feeling emotionally detached from people and events.
3. Difficulty connecting with others emotionally.
4. Feeling like you’re living in a fog or dream.
5. Experiencing a lack of interest in activities that used to bring you joy.
6. Feeling like your emotions are on autopilot.
7. Having a hard time tuning into your own feelings.
8. Feeling like your emotions are out of your control.
9. Experiencing chronic stress or anxiety.
10. Suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
11. Taking medication that suppresses your emotions.
12. Drinking alcohol or using drugs to self-medicate.
13. Suffering from an eating disorder.
14. Experiencing physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, or insomnia.
15. Having thoughts of suicide.

10 Symptoms Of Emotional Numbness in Children

Numbness is a feeling of detachment or emptiness. It can be caused by physical or emotional trauma, such as a car accident or the death of a loved one. Children who experience emotional numbness may feel cut off from their emotions and from the people around them. They may seem apathetic or indifferent to events that would usually cause them distress.
The symptoms of emotional numbness in children include:

1. Appearing emotionless or flat.
2. Showing little or no reaction to good or bad news.
3. Exhibiting a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
4. Feeling detached from others, as if you’re not really there.
5. Experiencing a sense of emptiness or loneliness.
6. Having difficulty expressing feelings or emotions verbally.
7. Acting out aggressively, becoming withdrawn, or refusing to speak at all.
8. Displaying changes in eating habits, such as eating too much or too little.
9. Sufferings from unexplained physical problems, such as headaches and stomachaches.
10. Feeling like life is not worth living.

Personality Disorders Because Of Which People Feel Emotional Numbness

There are a few different personality disorders and medical diseases and which people can feel emotional numbness. One such personality disorder is Borderline Personality Disorder. People who suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder often feel like they are on an emotional roller coaster, with intense emotions that change rapidly.

They can also feel a sense of emptiness and numbness.

This is often due to the fact that people with Borderline Personality Disorder have a difficult time regulating their emotions.

Another personality disorder that can lead to emotional numbness is Narcissistic Personality Disorder. People who suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder often have an inflated sense of self-importance and a need for admiration from others.

They can be very sensitive to criticism and often react with anger or rage.

People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder may also experience feelings of emptiness and numbness, especially when they are not receiving the attention they crave.

Multiple Sclerosis is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS can cause a person to feel numbness or tingling in their limbs, as well as a number of other symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, and problems with vision and balance.

Another medical condition that can lead to emotional numbness is HIV/AIDS. People who are HIV positive may experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and mood swings. They may also feel emotionally numb as a way of coping with their diagnosis.

Alexithymia can cause emotional numbness by preventing people from understanding and processing their emotions. This can lead to people feeling emotionally detached from themselves and others, which can cause feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Additionally, the inability to process emotions can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, as well as problems with relationships.

6 Tips On How To Deal With Emotional Numbness

Emotional numbness is feeling disconnected from your emotions. This can be a result of trauma, stress, or anxiety. When you are emotionally numb, you may feel like you are living in a fog and can’t feel happiness, sadness, love, or anger. You may also feel like you are not really living at all.
If you are experiencing emotional numbness, there are steps that you can take to reconnect with your emotions. Here are 6 tips for dealing with emotional numbness:

1. Identify why you feel numb. Trauma, stress, and anxiety can all cause emotional numbness. Once you identify the cause of your numbness, you can work on addressing that issue.
2. Seek help from a therapist or counselor. Talking about your feelings and experiences can help you reconnect with your emotions.
3. Express yourself through writing or art. Putting your feelings into words or pictures can help you understand them and connect with them emotionally.
4. Connect with others. Spending time with loved ones can help you feel more connected to the world around you.
5. Take care of yourself. Make sure to get enough sleep and exercise, and try to eat a healthy diet. These things can help improve your overall well-being and help reduce stress and anxiety
6. Journal about your feelings. This can be a helpful way to express yourself and connect with your emotions.

Numbness is a common experience for those going through a tough time.

Whether it is the death of a loved one, a breakup, or any other traumatic event, it is normal to feel numb. For some people, this numbness can last for a long time and it can be difficult to know how to help them.

Here are 9 tips for helping someone who is experiencing emotional numbness:

9 Tips On How To Help Someone Who Is Experiencing Emotional Numbness

1. Acknowledge their feelings. Avoid asking them how they are feeling or telling them that they should be feeling something else. Just let them know that you understand and are there for them.
2. Give them space if they need it. Some people may want to be around people constantly, while others may want to be alone. Respect what they need and give them the space they need to heal.
3. Let them talk about their feelings. This can be really helpful in processing what they are going through. Let them know that you are there to listen without judgment.
4. Help them stay connected to their support system. This could include friends, family members, or a therapist. Encourage them to stay in touch with the people who care about them and who can support them through this tough time.
5. Encourage them to seek professional help if needed. There is no shame in seeking professional help during a time of crisis. If they seem like they could benefit from professional help, encourage them to seek out a therapist or counselor.
6. Help them stay healthy both physically and mentally. This could include encouraging them to eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. It could also mean encouraging them to take breaks from their stressors and find ways to relax (such as yoga, meditation, or reading).
7. Remind them that things will get better with time. It is important to remind the person that they are going through a tough time but that things will get better in time. This can give them hope during a difficult time period.
8. Help them keep a positive outlook on life. Even though things may be tough right now, it is important for the person to remember that there is still good in the world. Helping them see the good in life can give them hope during this difficult time.
9. Encourage them to reconnect with activities they enjoy. Doing things that we enjoy can help us feel better when we are feeling down. Encourage them to reconnect with activities they enjoy, whether that means listening to favorite music, going for walks outdoors, reading a good book, or something else entirely different.

Takeaway

Numbness is a coping mechanism that can be used in response to overwhelming emotions. It can be seen as a way to protect oneself from the pain of emotion and can be a helpful tool in times of distress.

However, when numbness becomes a constant state, it can be damaging to both emotional and physical health.

Numbness can prevent people from feeling happy or sad, from forming close relationships, and from experiencing life fully. It is important to be aware of the dangers of emotional numbness and to seek help if numbness becomes a problem.