Recognising emotional numbing: Therapist explains 7 steps

From experiencing emotional flatness to turning to substance abuse, here are a few ways to recognise emotional numbing.

Published on: Aug 09, 2024 3:30 PM IST

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Emotional numbing is a significant impact of Complex PTSD. In C-PTSD, a person experiences the symptoms of PTSD, along with additional symptoms. Emotional numbing is extremely common in C-PTSD where a person is unable to understand how they feel and respond to their emotions. Therapist Linda Meredith shared seven steps to recognise emotional numbing. (Unsplash)

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Disconnection from emotions is the first step where a person starts to notice that they are not able to identify how they feel.  (Unsplash)

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Emotional numbing also leads to reduced empathy and compassion for others. The absence of emotions makes a person have deceased ability to understand how others feel.  (Unsplash)

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A person starts to avoid emotional situations which may include being vulnerable. This is a sign of emotional numbing.  (Unsplash)

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Life starts to feel colourless. A person with emotional numbing also feels that their life lacks depth.  (Unsplash)

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Emotional numbing can make a person turn to substance abuse or reckless action as a way of feeling something.  (Unsplash)

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Emotional numbing can make it extremely difficult for a person to engage in intimate relationships or develop emotional connections.  (Unsplash)

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Emotional numbing can also show up as physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, headache and other symptoms.  (Unsplash)