No Feelings Of Love

[Birke]

Since I got PTSD I don't feel love for anybody!
Can other suffers relate to that?
How can the feeling come back?

 

[Hashi]

Hi Birke,

I'm afraid I'm the last person to be able to offer any wisdom on this subject, but there's a thread about it here. I don't know if this will help.

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/ptsd-suffers-cant-feel-the-love-emotion.20351/[/DLMURL]

It's in the supporter section but PTSD sufferers have posted in it too.

 

[anthony]

The problem, IMO, is the numbing aspect that PTSD instils. Then I also think there is what we push down and try to convince ourselves of, but is that really not feeling love for someone? Again... more self-numbing to try and push emotion down or away.

 

[Abstract]

I am with Anthony on this one. Agree with both the numbing and numbing through convincing for self protection.

 

[lhysho]

It doesn't always feel like it's for self protection. I was injured later in life but it's odd how it changed things so quick and even with people on the outside of the issue it's just not the same. For example I used to worry so hard about certain loved ones safety and well being that it caused problems for me. Now it's like I wish I could care. I don't see how that's self protection. To me it feels like a dimmer switch. Love is still there or maybe it's what you remember or want to feel but it's just dimmed from before. I don't know what the solution is except to concentrate on what you do feel because you probably do feel something and then like for example I avoid things like certain drugs or alcohol that numb feelings more.

 

[Abstract]

Oh I don't mean it is purposeful or a conscious choice to self protect. I think emotional numbing can be an after affect to intense emotional states for one. I hate it and generally would do anything to get out of it. I do think there can be times where it is semi purposeful and self protection for some.

I dont loose the concept of caring about others wellbeing but I can't feel it.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Love is an action. We may not always be able to feel love for someone but we can still show live through our actions.

I think it's important to realize that there are so many different ways to love someone, and love means different things to different people.

 

[Anna]

Since I got PTSD I don't feel love for anybody!
Can other suffers relate to that?
How can the feeling come back?

Same with me. I do miss romantic love. I get jealous when I see couples who are in love holding hands etc. It makes me feel sad that I cannot feel this way. It is like I just feel the basic survival instincts.

 

[anthony]

Criterion D7 answers the question in essence, in that it is just a symptom: Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., inability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings).

It takes both cognitive and behavioural work to change that symptom set.

 

[Aussie42]

Hi Burke, I can fully relate. I for sometime now have the inability to love,feel or care. I have pushed every one who tries to get close to me away. I don't know how to get it back, however will never stop trying.

 

[Birke]

Hi. Here I am again,

So desperate to feel the amazing love I felt for my little children being gone now (2 years), I feel like a horrible mother.... They are still so sweet and hopeful that I get better. I felt before like the greatest mom, did everything with and for them.

This is such a cruel feeling. My surrounding doesn't understand

Ohhhhh my god, I am suffering so much.

I don't wish this on anybody..

birke

 

[mamachick]

I use to over worry about loved ones safety. It caused me a lot of anxiety. I can see how numbing has been self protective. I just numb out and dont think about it. I am disconnected. It is like the opposite, I guess because I cant find the happy medium.