Emotional Numbing

[Anna]

How long does it normally last in periods that you get it? Hours, days? Months?

I have had it for over a week now. Triggered by an explosive row with my family. I broke down, then suddenly the past week I feel nothing. I was hoping it would go away after a few hours or days, but it is still there and becoming annoying. I really feel nothing. Not even anger. It is like someone removed all my emotions. I can make very logical decisions at the moment, but really wish my feelings would come back. Normally it only lasted maximum two days. This has been a whole week now. It seems to be getting worse and the periods longer as I am getting older.

Anyone else have this? or experienced this? I feel nothing. It is bizarre.

 

[Anna]

I found an article saying that this occurs when your nervous system is overwhelmed.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

It could be that the emotional meltdown scared the crap out of you, cuz maybe you thought you had your emotions in control, and neatly tucked away? And your mind is so overwhelmed and shocked that you lost control. It's hard to know how long you'll feel this way, but don't feel bad if it takes awhile. I don't know how you feel about the holidays, but with them coming up, maybe you are afraid that there will be more meltdowns? Could that be at the back of your mind?

I'm just throwing out what came to mind, sorry if I'm wrong. I think the time of year is part of the reason I'm having a hard time feeling as well. It seems safer to shut down versus risking people seeing what's inside me.

Be kind to yourself...I have to work on that myself.

 

[Anna]

Always feels better after a couple of shots of vodka.

 

[jersey]

This has happened to me. I think it is actually "normal" for PTSD suffers to have this happen. We can be off the charts with feelings, and then go in the opposite direction and just feel numb. There is a good chart which describes it at:
traumahealing [dot com] images/pptSlide01.gif

Sounds like you are stuck on "off" for a while. (I don't know which is worse)

 

[Deimos]

If it normally lasts just a few days your lucky. It happens to me all the time and it can be months for me. Prior to the birth of my first child, only major events would cause any feelings. The numbness would some times last the better part of a year. Since my son came into the picture the duration of my numbness has greatly reduced. It still occurs but tends to almost be a side affect to my flashbacks. Sorry to hear your stuck like this, I would assume if its normally a short duration for you it will soon pass.

 

[VDWngr1355]

I haven't felt anything really in months. Not even any type of joy. It is so strange.

 

[OKRADLAK]

I can get sucked down and stay that was for quite a while. Weeks maybe? Then it might become a pattern if I am not careful. It is doing t now.

 

[Megan]

I feel emotional-less too unless i start thinking bout the way i was before everything started and then i just cry but really don't feel it inside...it's more of a empty cry.

 

[Kb3]

Takes me about a half day or a day usually. If the stressor wasn't too bad it might be less. I find walking while listening to music helps me snap out of it.

 

[kimba]

It depends on what causes you to be numb in the first place and how fast you can get "back" to mormal if you can. I have been emotionally numb for a couple of years. Since being diagnosed PTSD/DID and having two T sessions a week for the last five months, I am finally starting to feel some of the emotional stuff. Today I had a session that got me really depressed tonight. I have accepted that it is a normal reaction due to fallout and to just take care of myself, write about it in my journal and cope as best I can.

 

[PerfectlyFlawed]

Never knew about the nervous system overwhelmed.