Emotional numbing is a common symptom of trauma, a defense mechanism used to cope with overwhelming events. It can lead to an inability to feel emotion, an inability to connect with others, and a sense of detachment from the physical world.
Recognizing and overcoming emotional numbing is essential for anyone who has experienced trauma. It requires individuals to acknowledge the feelings they have been avoiding and to consciously connect with the world around them. With the help of a mental health professional, individuals can learn to overcome emotional numbing and move forward with their lives.
What Is Emotional Numbing?
Emotional numbing is a feeling of emptiness, a lack of emotion or connection with others or the world around an individual. A variety of events, including trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, can cause lead to emotional numbing. People with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are likely to experience emotional numbing, as are people struggling with depression.
Causes of Emotional Numbing
There are many possible causes of emotional numbing. It can be caused by trauma or past events or be a symptom of depression or anxiety disorders. It is important to speak to a mental health professional if an individual suspects they may be experiencing emotional numbing. They can assess the person and let them know what the best course of action is.
Recognizing Emotional Numbing
If an individual suspects they are experiencing emotional numbing, there are a few ways to recognize the signs:
- Mood: Feelings of being less happy or experiencing less joy from everyday things
- Connection with others: Feeling less connected with others, including a lack of connection with family and friends
- Connection with the world: Feeling disconnected from the world, such as feeling less connected to nature or less interested in everyday activities
Finding Help
People who are experiencing emotional numbness are not able to feel their emotions. They cannot process the events that have happened to them. This can make it difficult to process and deal with past trauma and can result in lingering issues that never get resolved. If an individual is experiencing emotional numbing, it’s important to recognize it for what it is. Only then can they begin to overcome it. Individuals can do this by reaching out to a mental health professional to begin to heal from past trauma today.
Emotional numbing is a defense mechanism that many people use when dealing with untreated trauma. Although it can be caused by anxiety disorders or depression, past trauma is more often the culprit. Recognizing emotional numbness and taking steps to overcome it can help you regain control of your emotions and your life. The Guest House has professionals who are trained to help you heal from past trauma and live life to the fullest of your ability. Call (855) 483-7800 for more information.