What does it mean to be mentally numb?

Overview. Feeling emotionally numb, or a general lack of emotion, can be a symptom of several different medical conditions or a side effect of some medications. It can cause a sense of isolation or emotional disconnect from the rest of the world. The numbness can be unbearable for many people who experience it.

Is it normal to turn off your emotions?

The takeaway Emotions and feelings are a vital part of human connection. Some people are able to turn off their emotions in order to protect themselves. For others, emotional numbing is unintended. It may even be part of a larger issue, like depression or a personality disorder.

Is emotional numbness a symptom of depression?

Emotional numbness can be a symptom of depression. We feel numb to everything around us and everything inside of us. It can leave us feeling totally disconnected from the world. When we feel emotionally numb, we can feel almost as though we’re a shell of a person. We might feel empty or we could feel thick and heavy.

What does it mean when your body goes numb for no reason?

Depression and anxiety are two of the most common causes. Severe levels of acute elevated stress or nervousness can also trigger feelings of emotional numbness. Post-traumatic stress disorder, which can be tied to depression and anxiety, can cause you to feel numb, too.

What does depression feel like when you don’t feel anything?

When depression makes me numb, the lack of feeling anything is, paradoxically, a terrible feeling. People who don’t experience or understand depression are often told it’s not as simple as feeling sad. This is truer than I can adequately describe; there are many facets to depression.

Why do I feel numbness in my head when I’m sad?

The depressive cycle that bipolar disorder has tends to lead you feeling numb at times. It’s not just sadness. With bipolar disorder, you want to make sure that you keep your mental health up, and you seek treatment.