Why Do I Feel Numb Emotionally? Dissociation Explained in Depth
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
- Emotional Numbness and How to Start Feeling Again. An in depth look at dissociation and how to heal...
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Question:
“I’m coming to terms with the fact that almost all of the time, I feel numb. This scares me. I feel that it’s not normal. Also, I feel that I won’t be able to continue my healing if I’m not in touch with my feelings. Any advice on this?”
Answer:
So many people I had treated for anxiety or depression eventually come to realize that dissociation is an underlying issue. People normally don’t seek help for this issue. However, they should! Ignoring numbness is at the root of so many issues which develop later. There are various types and degrees, some more serious than others (depersonalization, derealization, identity confusion). However, I’m also talking about the common, everyday feeling of emptiness so many of us feel.
The solution is deceptively simple: This issue, however, is very treatable. When addressed, there is no need for concern. Here, I’ll talk about ways to start getting back in touch with emotion so that life starts to feel more engaging and joyful.
What numbness looks like and why it’s important:
1. Not being emotionally moved by beauty (nature, music, art, small children).
2. Remembering very few significant moments (from past week, month, year). Elizabeth Loftus proved how important emotion is to memory.
3. A feeling of emptiness, that you’re missing something that others have, that you’re on the outside looking in.
4. No real sense of excitement about goals.
5. Interactions with others are only done from a sense of obligation.
6. Occasionally you get a physical sensation (belly, chest or throat) that feels of emptiness.
7. You frequently question the meaning/purpose of your life.
8. You are a thrill-seeker (reckless behaviour, binges, provocation).
9. You use phrases like: I don’t know, I’m not sure, I don’t care, a lot of the time.
10. You get irritated being around people who are excited, playful or happy (fear of having to pretend).
11. You show few external emotional cues (not laughing out loud, narrow range of facial expressions).
Thanks for watching. If you enjoy my content, remember to like and subscribe for more.
Dr. David Maloney is a Psychologist and therapist. His has trained in a variety of techniques (person-centered, Gestalt, ACIM, psychodynamic) and works with people on a wide variety of issues. His main areas of expertise are in self-esteem, motivation, and relationships.
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1 - Eleven signs of Dissociation 3:30
2 - Problem that stem from it 11:15
3 - Why does it happen? 15:10
4 - How to address it 21:55
Zoya, I'll pin this. Thank you so much.
Thank you!
@@drdavidmaloneypsychotherapy Do you get tingling sensations / face / throat whilst healing from dissociation?
@@khushmakwana6016Psych meds cause emotional numbness
I've been emotionless for 5 years already. at first it was really hard to take, when it started. During this time there were periods when I stopped thinking about it, but it just does not go away. I had the most successful moments of my life and felt almost nothing out of it. This made me stop being an artist, because emotions were the fuel I used to make my sculptures. It feels like I have no connection to my past, I can't recall emotion of any period of my life, it's just flat. At the moment I'm in complete confusion, I have no sense of wanting anything, I feel no excitement about future plans I used to have. Therefore I'm not moving my life forward and feel like I'm already stagnating. Its like there is a wall between me and my emotions, very very seldom I manage to catch glimpses of them, that's how I know they are still here, but I just don't know how to break that wall. This problem can deeply effect the quality of ones life. I wish all of you a speedy recovery!
Really appreciate your sharing Zaur. I'm going to focus on this issue more in future as so many people experience it.
@@drdavidmaloneypsychotherapy Would be really nice to hear more tips and methods about how we can escape this condition.
@@zaurgamkrelidze1463 Drop medication If you are using it
@@breatheeasily4013 haven't used any meds so far, thanks for the advice!
The worst is that nobody from our environments can understand what we're going through. I just can't explain it even to my therapist i'm just faking happiness. I cry and i don't feel anything. I don't even feel attraction to other people, i don't even want to be in a relationship because i won't be able to feel love and be myself.
No words can describe this awful situation but i'm sure one day everything will be ok...
im so tired, I want to care again. I want to have goals and shoot for the best I can accomplish. But at the moment I just dont care. I don't care and It feels like I dont care that I dont care.
Please don't ever take this down You Tube, some of us are surviving by listening to Dr. Maloney.
Not being emotionally moved by beauty is so hard to cope with. It feely like you're wasting your life away, this goes hand in hand with not having interest in doing things you once did or going places you once loved.
I empathize. It really is a difficult thing to experience.
this is a very good way to describe it
Sometimes i think how unbelievable happy i would be if i could feel my emotions again. Even only for one day, feeling the nostalgia again. Feeling compassion. Even walking around with anxiety and racing thoughts most of the time i was grateful. I was very grateful for the small things happening during the day like for example drinking a cup of green tea. It was a lot pain to bare but it was something. But when i went numb with 28 i knew its over. I realized how much i had and how much i lost. This is one of the worst things you could ever have.
@Mehmet Tan really it is possible to feel again , just do one thing get out of your comfort zone & face your fears throw your self in uncomfortable situations then u will feel bad & when the bad feeling comes don't resist it accept it & then u will start feeling good
Do you know why you became numb? And are you progressing, wish you all the best
hey Dr.David i haven't realized am emotionally numb for a long time then in this two years i have realized am "emotinally numb". i have talked what i feel (almost all things you have stated on the video what emotional numbness looks like) to my close friend and my sister but they couldn't understand my feeling...i just thought it as my personality for long time...i didnt know it is a problem and other people know about it well as a concept. am very excited when you tell all about emotional numbness . i will practice what you have said...thank you sooo much really. i think am gonna be alive again...
big love from Ethiopia.
i never felt scared when i felt numb. i was always like "whelp.. this is my life now 🤷♀️"
Yeah, we definitely normalize the experience. With time, there is a softening to it as we start to gradually feel safe enough to emote again.
I agree i can mimic emotions and feel them partially and i use them accordingly. Emotion numb helps a lot to deal with stressful or dangerous situations with calm of mind, been there
This disassociation that I feel with everything has really hindered every progress that I have with life. My relationships, my talent for academics and art, the goal I had set for my body, all went down the drain because of the simple question of "why am I even doing all of this" and yet even after being aware of the fact that I completely messed up my opportunities, I still feel nothing of it. It sucks cuz I just wanna feel human again but deep down I feel like being emotionally invested in anything would only cause further trauma and anxiety. I'm in a constant stalemate where I feel like every option that I have will lead to a worse scenario for me. I'm stuck and helpless.
This is exactly my situation. I know I'm losing my time, I wasting my talents, ambitions, goals, chances for a good relationship. It's like being dead inside.
Yes, in fear we dissociate from self, emotions, actually to protect ourselves from pain.
Yet, as you begin to sit steady and watch and acknowledge it all, without condemning self, life, events, those around, without judging, blaming anything.... you will come to address what in you needs kind attention and acceptance.
Until then, suffering is likely, maybe temporary respites.
The way to heal opens with the observation of way we feel. Take care.
I have almost always been sensitive and alive to beauty ( except for a phase after death of someone dear), most art forms, music, nature, children.... best alone. I couldn't work unless i love it. It's in presence of others that I d mask, watch from behind, and not open up as i am....fear of abandonment, rejection... which I see/ understand now. My deep hesitation, inauthenticity has been in relationship.... and the greatest need has been to belong. How contrasting we live!!
How do you feel now, almost a year later? Has it gotten better?
You are not alone friend. Hope it gets better for you. Just have to put in the work, but the hardest part is realizing that you actually have work to do…
I'm craving to feel safe again, I literally watch sad or romantic movies to feed my cravings for these feelings
Trust what you need to do. Everyone is unique in healing I have found.
David - not to sound dramatic, but this video saved my life. I have been struggling for the past (almost) five years with describing how I feel/felt after a perfect storm of traumatic experiences that made me feel like I was losing my mind. The things you described in the video as well as reading some of these comments gave me validation that I have been searching for endlessly but never found. I was able to link some things together and I figured out why I became numb in the first place (i.e. I connected the dots to realize that I have been suppressing my anxiety for the past 5 years and I see now how this has been the cause of my suffering). This realization alone has allowed me to open up again and feel. When I pieced it together a few days ago, it was a moment for me that deserved celebration (and still does). It is like my old self returned to me, I can feel things again, the barrier that was blocking me from feeling present in life is gone, and while I am still anxious, it no longer scares me and I can allow myself to feel. All of my symptoms make perfect sense. You have helped me end suffering I thought would forever be part of me. I thought I would be high functioning with something that was just *different about me since the traumatic events I experienced. May my story serve as an example to others struggling or searching for answers - there is a way out and you will solve it. Seek out the professional help you need from someone you trust and don’t be afraid to confront yourself. There are better days to come - just promise you will find whatever courage you have to take that step each day, even if you’re not making progress. Just keep going and never stop believing in yourself. You will be okay.
Matthew, thank you sincerely for sharing this. I think it will help anyone who reads it. There is always hope and it's essential that we share a message of hope with others. None of us are alone in this and, when we hold the desire to heal, it is simply a matter of time 🙏
How long were you numb for and how did it ever dawn on you that the root of your numbness was suppressed anxiety? Even more so curious to know how does one suppress anxiety? I'm just wondering because I also have numbness due to a lot of trauma that I've been through. I was inspired after reading your story. Would love to hear some of your insight if you wouldn't mind.
I wonder if this is more pervasive than we know. I suspect we all have pockets of this. I think of all the incidents in school where teachers said things and we just had to grin and bear it even though it hurt deeply. It has always been weird to me that humans can create systems that are illogical and unnatural to humans. How in the world does this come about?
How u solved it please reply
@emu1028 how are you now , i hope you've recovered from it
I don't understand how you have so few views. Your thorough approach to increasing understanding level is lovely. I know your work will help many. Thank you for the effort you've provided.
So nice to hear. Really appreciate it 🤍
I get to understand myself more. Thank you Dr. David
being dissociated 90% of the time WGILE BEING AN EMPATH is an absolute trip. Everything seems so surreal and empty- and then depending on who im around (not veiled) at the end of the day its like i feel every single emotion at once while also not even being able to recognize it as emotion. it makes me physically ill. sometimes just turning off everything in my brain manually is the only option.
I think boundaries become more important as we learn about this. I can relate.
Prison is a brick boundary. Be careful.
Any improvements made last year? Cause I have the same thing.
How to heal numbness:
Say "Thank you" to the numbness and ask "what are you trying to tell me?"
What will help me feel safe
Find a safe environment to talk
Body work
become aware of breath
Body scan- what am I feeling right now
*Just be with the feeling of numbness without trying to change it
Great 🙏
Easier said than done.
Thanks to this video i may have found the reason behind me feeling like a robot made of bones muscles and flesh pretending to be human. I have experienced quite horrible things as a baby. In the first 2 years of my life i never had a father, i had a mother that was an addict, her attempts of raising me ended up in getting drowned in the bath instead of being washed, didnt get much food or drinks. Slept under a lamp on a rug, moved at least 11 times to another home in under a year and so forth. Knowing that only stays with knowledge unfortunately. In truth in the time i developed a conscience up until now i dont really care about anything but me having to pretend, act and do everything i can to survive. I now dont care about my fosterfamily, dont care about friends (never really had those) dont care about hunger or thirst that much. I just do what people tell me to or expect me to because i cant bring myself to do anything at this point. Life has become meaningless to me and now im simply trying to exist and at least enjoy my time withering away in emptiness.
I havent really felt emotions for years. Intellectually I understood there is something wrong because i remembered as a child how life felt more embodied and my body felt like it was experiencing more of it. Now i realize its because i shut down cause i experienced complex trauma and i always feel like im an outsider to life. Hearing you now felt like someone for the first time understands how debilitating it is. I felt so understood and safe i started crying. I never comment on videos but i gotta Thank you for this video. This might possibly change my life
What a thoughtful and genuine comment. Thanks you sincerely and I wish you well as you move through the healing process 🙏
How are you coping? Tips??
@@jamesb.hallmd9899 I absorb life force energy daily. This openes the mind body connection through vagus nerve. I have befriended anger as a signal to look into so i can understand when my boundries are crossed. Made a decision i speak my mind no matter what. I allow negative emotions without making myself guilty for them. That was the biggest one. I dont know if that is coping. I made an intention to get through to my emotional truth and get in touch with myself at all costs and that means allowing ourselves the entire range of emotions. I realized what blocks emotions is guilt. During my childhood adult problems were so severe that there was no one to take care of my needs. And i felt like i had no rights to ask for anything with all the issues and poverty. I felt powerless to help as a child and powerless to ask for my needs to the extent i wouldnt even become aware of them. For me it was important to learn what emotional and physicial needs we have as humans and with that my mind started to recognize when i have one and then i make sure to attend it or even ask for help from others because that was another big one. I would never ask anyone to help me with anything. It felt like i was all alone in the world. Once i realized when i as a child thought it wasnt appropriate to mention i need something then it started to change. All of this is about recognizing a pattern of behavior and our motives behind it. I also realized its not so much what i think about but how my body feels. This we need to practice. So many ppl now are dissconnected from themselves for simply not paying attention to how the body feels. So while we are healing its more impprtant to pay attention to the body and have that navigate us, rather then what we can figure out with pure logic. There is a lot of bottled up emotions and deviant beliefs about life and we need to question them all to get to the bottom of our truth. It is better to release through crying or screaming our lungs out somewhere than to overthink. Our body can hold suppressed energy making it hard to the mind to work clearly. It would take extra energy to stay normal. So its best to just recognize what the urge of the body is. This is a process. I dooesnt happen over night if you have the same issues, but life force energy is essential because we are without much energy left if emotional numbness is the case. The way i do this is through process called einstellen. This energy is something you will feel in your body like a current. Dont be afraid of feelings and never forget its not your fault. Maybe you had a time in your childhood where you felt powerless to help. This can cause a lot of guilt and block feeling anything that opposes that including anger, sadness etc. But if youre not in touch with emotions and even if you feel guilt it turns into overthinking. The life force energy doesnt cost money. I can give you a link but i dont knoe if the creator of the content would have a problem. Look up A Path to a healthy body and Soul - information lecture about Bruno Groening. There you will find the information on how you do it.
When the "irritation" symptom came up, I just had to pause the video and laugh in desbelief (and relief) about how you could describe so perfectly such a personal experience. I've been living like this since I was 6 or 7. Sometimes, maybe once or twice a year, I would have these immensely emotional dreams (like, for example, a deep feeling of love), which I took meant that the emotional machinery inside me wasn't broken, it was just walled off. However I did see this wall as me being broken and been trying so hard to fight it. Thank you for letting me know that's not the way I should go about this. It's good to know that I'm valid about experiencing this and I'm not a psycophatic un-empathetic monster.
So glad the insights are helping. Of course there is nothing broken within you. Nothing that some support and understanding wouldn't help. True for us all I feel.
Im emotionally numb since then, I got it from family trauma experience. As an adult its not really easy on creating relationship but Im willing to improve on this situation. I just dont know how to start it but time gave me a little improvement since then😢. Thank you for letting this understand our situation
I'm 34 years old, I've been numb my whole life.
My mother took my joy away. I'm taking it back.
Self-empowerment 🙏
I'll be 58 shortly. Unfortunately my mother is still alive. To say she's stolen my joy would be an understatement but I finally got it back and so can you. They get worse with age. She's a covert narcissist. I've gone no contact before and this is my last time. It will be a year December 30th. There's no going back and life has never been better.
How are you doing now?
@@avertingapathy3052 Fantastic! My mother's hate and abuse is now my inspiration, I want nothing but the best for her.
I'm constantly working toward my goals and I'm enjoying life in a way I've never felt before or knew possible through nothing but will, love and effort.
I'm ready to inspire the future through game design using my interest in psychology and philosophy. Just a few days ago I got my certificate in Unreal Engine blueprinting and I can't wait to join Dr. Maloney in healing the world using my darkness as a tool for the greater good of all life through empathy!
My mother might even choose good when she sees what I made..
I share Dr. Maloney with everyone who asks how I got so much better and I suggest the same to them!
I believe in your ability to overcome!
I'm with you, we're all one 💙
I've been experiencing and fighting derealization for 40+ years, been to several therapists, tried multiple interventions, but have never heard it discussed so succinctly. The advice to experience my numbness rather than fight it really resonates with me.
I'm so happy the video resonated Cheryl. Glad to be of some help in this for you.
How are you doing now ? Any improvement?
@@LilyStultz actually, yes! Thanks for asking. I'll try to pay attention to see if the frequency has decreased, but what has improved is my acceptance of it so that it's not distressing to experience it. And I think the intensity of them is lessened when they do occur.
@@cherylmockotr is it chronic or are they episodes?
@@LilyStultz pretty chronic, such that I don't notice I'm doing it most of the time. I'm in it right now because I'm just sitting here surfing TH-cam :-) By asking, you've made me want to reach this video. I'll report back...
Thanks had no idea what it was. Been great help.
This was perfect! Thank you so much!
Very clear. Excellent explanation. Thanks!
I don't feel anything except the pain. I'm going to the gym everyday for year's and I've built a massive physique and power. I use my pain and my anger to destroy my workouts. Recently I met a beautiful woman but I can't even feel something and she's so nice to me. I don't know what to do.
Also sometimes I like to create scenarios in my mind very dark and I use them in training. It's like I've a dark passenger and he wants to come out when I feel pain, anger, disappointment.
Why are you pushing yourself so hard? What are you thinking it will give you in return?
Do you feel tiredness?
Update:
I'm feeling super strong right now, I'm eating 6 meal's every day, finally I'm with a person who can understand me and I can be myself. I just feeling healthy in my mind and body.
I'm feeling really good and to be honest guy's sex really helps to manage stress and you know I'm feeling very calm and everything is more clear now.
Finally I'm FEELING something 🙏🏻
Thank you so much this has helped loads 💙
Your tips are now my meditation mantra!
Thanks for sharing this video! I’ve been struggling with this for I don’t know how long and now is the time to change this and get in touch with my emotions again. Wish you all a great recovery on your journey!
Been going on for 3 years finally got the help that I need, everyday I feel the shell crack
Whew, I’m glad I’m seeing this 2 years into treatment bc I’m not sure I would have understood it when I first got freed, but this is brilliant.
Great video. Very helpful.
Thanks David ❤️
Every single thing described is what I’m feeling. This pieces it all together and gives a reasoning that feels right.
Aloha David, I just found your talk and appreciate your knowledge. It is beneficial. Mahalo. TK, LPCC
Gosh so damn true! I have each and every single symptom he pointed out. So thankful you made me realize my core issue.
Finally something that might actually help.
Thank you for this video I find it really quite difficult because I would have to admit that I’ve not had many feelings, my whole life and it’s frightening.
This informative video immediately gained me as a subscriber! I’ll remain on pins & needles to learn myself better, which is extremely important as I’m in the process of rebuilding myself following my near fatal MVA that caused my stroke, TBI, and many broken bones as well. Unfortunately I’ve also been struggling to live happy due to my extremely functioning anxiety that also includes freighting panic attacks that get very scary when most of my panic attacks have landed me in the ER due to me actually passing out cold due to the hyperventilating! I pray this channel will help me to understand all this better and help me to become free of these terrifying panic attacks
Thanks for watching. This information worked for me and several of my clients. Hope it helps.
I feel emotionally numb and have since November. Usually I have a lot of ups and downs, I will feel extremely depressed then I’ll come up and feel fine, not really happy but fine. October was the worst depressive episodes I’ve had and now.. I don’t feel anything. I’ve told my therapist but she just reassures me that I’ll eventually feel ok but I’m terrified I won’t. I just want to feel anything. Anything at all.
Don't lose hope. A full range of emotion will return when the nervous system feels safe to allow it. Start to see the numbness as, not a void, but something in its own right. Something that should be respected and given attention and care. You 're not alone in this and healing is possible.
how are u now?? u still feel numb emotionally? i feel the same
Check your vitamin D as you said in October you had more bad depression in that month weather get cold slowly and it can be because of vitamin D deficiency
Thanks, buddy your video is of tremendous help and I felt like someone understood me. I was suffering from this disorder for quite a long time and I was feeling depressed.Would definitely implement all of your suggestions ✌🏻
I am subscribing! You broke this down so my neuro divergence can understand. Thanks you♡
Lovely to hear. Thank you Jennifer 🙏
Thank you for this video
Thank you Ari.
A little late to the party, but nonetheless: really great insights, and so positive and non-judgmental! Very healthy, thank you!
This is brilliant. Thank you for this. I wanted a clear and insightful video on Dissociation and THIS is it
Happy it helped clarify the issue Faiza.
Absolutely amazing video. Please keep posting!
I will. Thanks so much!
Thank you for making this video
Very welcome Dallas 🙏
This poked out every arrows that lodge in my whole wounded being. One by one
I know how it feels Zoya.
Thanks alot Dave this really helped
Very welcome Elijah!
This was an incredible video. Really hit home hard for me… Thank you so much for putting this out there David, it’s very much appreciated.
Glad it was helpful Dan!
thank you so much. this describes exactly what i've been dealing with for the past few years. keep up the great work, especially with content on apathy and dissociation!
Thanks so much 🙏
Thank you so much for this.. it's helped me understandy numbness a bit better x
🙏
wow I already feel much better. Thank you for this video, it helps a lot.
Very welcome and thank you.
Best, most relatable explanation that I've ever heard. Thank you!
Thank you Paula. You're very welcome and I appreciate for your comment.
Thank you David I did not realise that what I have been experiencing is actually dissociation I just thought it was emotional numbness… I realised I’ve been out tune with others , not able to see or perceive reality or consciously remember things I’ve done and the emotional effect it’s had on other people etc .. it’s so true about emotions being your guidance system and I just want my guidance system back. I don’t like operating in a slightly narcissistic disconnected way and I want empathy for others and to be able to connect to Mother Nature and my Truth and I want to show up as an authentic person , because our emotions show us our boundaries and our true feelings :( I’m looking forward to getting to know myself again.
Your information is so helpful. I have not found anything like it out there! Thank you! I am so glad I found you on the internet!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks Tanya.
That is the best explanation I've heard, spot on with everything. Well done!
So nice of you. Thanks for the feedback.
This was extremely helpful. Thank you. Glad I clicked on your video
Very welcome 🙏
Thank you for this. It was very needed.
Glad it was helpful!
That's so helpful about not forcing the emotions
Vitally important to remember 🙏
Hi David! Thank you for this video! I've experienced numbness after taking medication I curious to hear ur opinion on that...
This is stellar work. Reassuring and helpful. Thank you!!!
Thank you Melody :)
Thank you soo much ❤. I related to every word he said
You're very welcome 🙏
Thank you for this video. Your voice is very soothing.
Very welcome :)
Thank you.
I've been trying to find help on all sorts of platforms but this is the first source that soothed me. This video was great, thank you!
Thanks so much for the feedback ✌
Thank you today you've changed my life
Thank you Dawn 🙏
Thank you... this is more helpful than all of the videos I've watched on dissociation combined. Your info makes me not feel alone, but more importantly, it gives me hope! So, just thank you..
Thank you Margot!
Thanks for bringing the Chakra
This helped me understand a lot about myself. Thank you so much.
Very welcome indeed Colleen.
10min in and I'm experiencing 8 out of 11 of these. In my country mental health is so expensive and we have a high unemployment rate so thank you for this. I was starting to feel suicidal because I'm tired of feeling numb.
Such a great video, thank you.
You are so welcome!
thank u so much for making this..
You're welcome 😊
Great video David found it very helpful
Just one question do you know if dissacociation qualifies as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 ?
seriously cannot believe how amazing you put this , Thank you so much . God bless you
You are so welcome!
Great video David found it helpful. Just one question if I may does Dissasociation class as a disability under the Equality Act ?
I feel like you hit the nail on the head here
Thanks my friend.
Thank you
Thank you very much
I’m so happy i found this video this really helped me this past month i have been feeling very anxious scared and all-around not good from knowing I have to go back to school and my great grandma who is starting to pass I got so overwhelmed I’d wake up with that weird feeling in my chest I was suffering from severe depression and then one day I woke up and found that I felt nothing i thought i was broken i felt like nothing had meaning to it anymore.
So glad the video has been helpful 🙏
David, just want you to know that this is hands-down the best video on youtube about dissociation. I've watched it multiple times and every single time I watch it it makes me feel so much better. Keep it up.
Wow, thank you Nathan. I will do my absolute best. Appreciate the kind words 🙏
Thank you very much for this very informative video! I think that's exactly what's going on from what I saw. It made me feel a lot better and calmer to know more about the issue.
A while ago, I stopped feeling all kinds of physical reaction to my emotions, as if my mind is disconnected from my body. It all started because I was getting constantly anxious and scared about potentially having a serious heart disease and started paying too much attention to it over a period of three weeks, even though my exams didn't detect anything, I was still worried and thinking about the worse and then all of a sudden, I stopped feeling any physical sensations relating to my emotions like tightness or a rush of "cold" in the chest when you're anxious, scared or excited. I also stopped feeling all kinds of emotions in my body, both positive and negative and even my own perception pf my heartbeat has been affected, because it seems fainter even when I'm exercising and it's fast. It feels like everything is numb inside, as if I can't feel anything at all, even doing things I like don't cause the same response as before.
I saw you talking about how our nervous systems can less awareness of some physical sensations when it detects we are in danger, so could it be that this "fainter" perception of my own heartbeat (even when it's fast after I exercise) be a reaction of this? Since it was my constant anxiety and me paying too much attention to it that has triggered this numbness in the first place. Could it be it's my brain wanting to protect me from feeling it, from worrying too much about it?
thank you so much David! I've been living with numbness for 18 years, and this was the most helpful video I've ever seen! I will start to allow myself to feel this numbness for what it is
Thank you Kevin. It's the most direct and helpful aspect to healing that I have found. So glad to hear this.
Feeling this way has been apart of my life for the last 3 years and It’s been a straight feeling in my belly. One doesn’t realize that, this feeling is your soul trying to change and wake up. your ego is not wanting to accept this change. Something that has/is helping me, is working on my inner self. Working on my inner self like silencing my ego, becoming humble and not taking things personal, along with shadow work. This is the process of a soul awakening. Idk, I suppose I found a way to embrace this “emptiness”, or whatever is happening, which i believe is change, all in all. This has given me purpose to help others in this world wake up more, seeing the world for what it really is and to think more for about others. It can be very difficult to see the positivity in this world today, but it can be positive. Learning to Be happy for others is key. All the answers are inside of everyone. I hope this helps someone. Everyone is important in this world. Most people don’t realize this, but it’s a fact that we are all connected and share the same kind of energy. Learn patience with your self and others. Think before you speak to others. Be nice and be kind, ALWAYS!! If you can’t find it to say anything nice, then don’t say it. It will only make one feel worse in the long run. Always Take the high road. This is my personal advice and where it is a great place to start in order to help one’s self to feel better and more positive.
I mean, We are all in this together. :):)
Thank you Doctor. Much appreciated. Wonderful you are bringing this to everyone’s awareness especially since the world is still suffering from the lockdowns and the gaslighting that came with this historic event. It’s really bringing the spotlight on this human condition that so few understand.
You are most welcome. Thank you!
Wow, thank you so much for normalizing something that seems so abnormal. This video is a game changer.
You're so welcome!
Thank you, I started crying while watching this video
Thank you 🙏
You're soo beautiful!
Thank you for the video
Very welcome. Thank you Ioanna.
I never knew about this,thank you
Very welcome Meryl 👍
Youre amazing ❤have emotional nomens for 3years, i could Laugh full out,feeling love ,always seeking trill on my sportbike,... You have teach me whats the Problem is ,now i can work on it step bye step thats a huge reliëf i cried dure this video that was years ago such a reliëf your a angel men❤
Thanks so much Ben. Lovely to hear this 🙏
Thank you for this video - calmly explaining the 'symptoms' of dissociation emotional numbness. coming onto 3 years of therapy now I am working on feeling the 'difficult' emotions and it is such a weird and foreign activity
Well done on the commitment you've made. Little by little, the defensive posture of the Nervous System relaxes, allowing us to feel safely. Patience and compassion are our best assets here.
Being resistant to changes due to the numbing of emotions is something I never considered before. Thank you for that much needed insight.
Thanks for your comment and glad that point resonated 👍
How are you now?
It is difficult to put into words my appreciation for your work and your sharing. All I can say is a simple Thank You. But it contains a lot of gratitude. 🙏❤️🌹
So nice of you 🙏
Thanks. I needed this insight. I've gotten a lot better at sitting with my negative emotions over the past few months. And I've experienced a significant decrease in their intensity and frequency. But I'd hit a road block with the body sensations of dissociation, now, I think because I'd kept trying to fight through them to get to the emotions I figured were hiding beneath it. But just sitting with the feelings of dissociation seems like it is going to be more helpful because I'm not fighting myself or trying to change how I feel.
I'm so glad to hear this. Thanks for sharing. It's exactly what I feel the approach needs to be 🤍
Excellent. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
After growing up as a scapegoat in my early years within the family system and experiencing trauma in my teen yrs I now realise I've been numbed out my whole life. I felt drawn to work on this issue over the past 2 weeks and I took extensive notes of everything discussed here to bring to my therapist. Excellent video 👍👍👍
I went through a very similar childhood as scapegoat, that just seemed to continue into adulthood Started seeking help of sorts now and again. Later on after trying to single parent, two divorces things pretty much didn't improve. Later on sought regular talk therapy, yet still no better at 65 yrs. Looking into Neurofeedback to start this week, hope it helps. Need to feel joy, have interests and put this numbness to rest!!!
thank you!
Very good presentation, and information. Do you have any information on how to deal with anxiety?
Hi Joseph. I have a number of videos on Anxiety I think. If there's anything specific you'd like to ask about, reach out.
Thank you David for creating this video, it has really hit home for me. After making drastic changes in my life with no real reasoning behind it, I have discovered I am and have been for quite some time emotionally numb. It is now a daily struggle, motivation is 0, the constant questioning of will this be permanent, why live if I can’t feel the enjoyment and happiness life has to offer. I’m only just starting my recovery journey and am already aware of what has caused my disassociation. I’m deeply hopefully I will return to my once happy and joyful self.
Great to hear you're on your healing journey now Azza. Nothing is more important. Nothing is more practical. Nothing is more rewarding 🙏
Hey how are you feeling today?
Your diagnostic for symptoms is so accurate, thank you. for almost 2 years I don't feel the beauty of things, not enjoying almost anything in life. I'll reengage with my emotions hope this will help me see the world differently.
Thank you for sharing Hosamo. Hope the advice points you in the right direction 🙏
Has it helped/ what did you to. This has been me to a T
Incredibly helpful and thorough. Thank you Dr Maloney… so much…🙏
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your feedback 🙏