What Is Emotional Numbness?

What is emotional numbness? That is a very good question. There is so much of it around now. What is causing it and how can we remedy this awful situation? To really understand this, we must look at a little deeper at who and what we are. This can take time, and actually break down some beliefs. These beliefs can sometimes hold us back from breaking free from the numbness trance we find ourselves stuck in.

To simply explain emotional numbness is to say you have trouble expressing feelings and emotions. This is when you shut out feelings and emotions. Basically, you have a lack of emotion responses because of your numbness. This is usually a temporary condition. But when left unchecked, this can cause lasting damage. Because you have learnt to protect yourself using numbness, this can get ingrained into the subconscious.

What Are The Symptoms Of Emotional Numbness?

There are many symptoms to emotional numbness. Here are just a few. Can you identify with any of these?

Not fully participating in life

You feel an inability to get involved with what life has to offer. And you tend to use avoidance tactics to keep away from activities that you may have previously enjoyed. Additionally, you can prefer isolation that to have company when in this state.

Feeling flat and listless

Everything feels dull. You feel like you have no energy to get on with everything. Your thoughts can be foggy and unclear.

No experience of good emotions

Even when good news comes and you should be celebrating, your feel flat. You can have real problems accessing positive emotions like happiness, joy and even love.

Feeling distant, detached and isolated

You feel distant from people. Even people who you would consider a friend. Basically, you lack the energy to socialise and mingle with people. This feeling leads to more isolation and detachment.

You avoid people and certain situations

This is very common with emotional numbness. Fear of answering texts messages of phone calls. Avoiding certain town centres or meeting places for fear of meeting someone who may upset you. Keeping yourself to yourself for no good reason.

Why Do We Experience Emotional Numbness?

This state is usually brought on by unresolved issues that have hurt you in the past. Trauma and upset gets logged into our subconscious when not dealt with. You may feel that you have dealt with this by putting a veneer on the problem. But this protective barrier wears down and the problem reappears later on down the road.

Emotional childhood wounds

So many people are holding onto emotional childhood wounds. I came a very traumatic childhood. And this really made me feel numb through much of my young adult days. I coped with this feeling with drinking and hiding away from the pain. This was not good. Many people have suffered from traumas from the past. We just need to admit that this is causing our emotional numbness and this is the first step towards healing.

Anxiety and stress

There is no doubt we are living in a high stress, high tension world at the moment. And this is affecting so many people at the moment. Scientific studies have shown that high anxiety leads to an avoidance of positive and negative emotions.

Depression

Depression has the very nature of making you feel emotionally numb. Basically, depression can cause a dulling of the emotions.

Mental and emotional abuse

Highly sensitive people who are empaths can be prone to this. Especially from narcissists. Narcissists can use highly sensitive people to target their abuse. This leads to emotional numbness.

Grief and sadness

Grief and sadness can lead to emotional numbness. Much like emotional childhood wounds. These chemical reactions get stuck in the body and can lead to the reaction of emotional numbness. Grief and sadness can make you completely disconnect with your emotions.

Medications

Some medication can cause emotional numbness. Anti depressants ar a good example. If you are on these types of medications, it is important to work closely with your Doctor to try to move you out of feeling emotional numbness.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

You may move towards emotional numbness as a way to deal with physical and emotional pain.

Alcohol and substance abuse

The problem with substance that it can cause a lack of motivation and interest in life.

What Can You Do About Emotional Numbness?

There are many things you can do to help you with emotional numbness. Here are just a few ideas that may help you find a solution to your problem.

Find and energy based exercise system

This is what id it for me. When I took up Qi Gong, that helped me change my life. Breaking free of emotional numbness can take a while. But with Qi Gong I found my stress and anxiety soothing very quickly. The trauma I suffered too a while longer. Eventually the trauma inside of me healed. Additionally I felt so much lighter and connected with my feelings and emotions. If Qi Gong is not your thing, find a Yoga or Tai Chi practise that engages the mind as well as the body. Taking up a meditation and mindfulness practise is really important here.

Try to minimise your stress

It sounds easier said than done. But you have to make an effort. A good way of doing this is learning to breath deeply and slow down. Around 90% of all diseases are caused by stress. Finding ways to deal with are essential for your health and well being. Qi Gong is particularly good for stress.

Make sure you get enough sleep and rest

Tiredness can lead to emotional numbness. Making sure you sleep well and rest when you need to is essential for good health also. Additionally good sleep really helps with so many aspects of your health also.

Do You Need Help With Your Emotional Numbness?

If you are struggling with this condition and are willing to put the work in, here is a solution I would like you to consider.

The Dream Method

The Dream Method is a one to one coaching and online course. This programme is designed to repair emotional childhood wounds, soothe anxiety and alleviate depression. Many people have used the Dream Method to help themselves break free of the emotional numbness trap. Click the link below to see if this method will work for you. It is not for everyone, so check out the free webinar first to see if this resonates with you. All you need to do is click the link below.

I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.

Until then, be well and keep shining.

Peter. 🙂

• The Dream Method
• Opening To Old Wounds From The Past – Healing Past Wounds
• Are you frequently emotionally exhausted? HSP series
• Emotional Exhaustion. Are You Still Suffering?
• Highly Sensitive People Have A Hard Time Moving On. HSP Series.