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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by giddy on January 23, 2004, at 2:41:19
For over a year or so I have lost touch with my emotions. My dr. thought it was depression and put me on Paxil. Paxil didn't do anything so then I tried Lexapro, nothing, then Effexor for a year. They didn't help bring my emotions back and may have made it worse. Now, I don't even have negative emotions like anger, stress, fear, guilt (even when off meds). Just a near constant state of bland flatness. I can't really relate it to trauma either, because I have not experienced any single horrific event (just a lot of small constant stressors throughout my life). My parents divorced a few years ago and there was much turmoil in the family, but nothing I think would be considered PTSD worthy. I used to have social anxiety, but even that is numbed out to almost nothing. I have tried to make major lifestyle changes. I am going to school now and getting in touch with old friends but I haven't noticed anything yet for the better. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Is there anything I can do to get my emotions back? I hate being like this
Posted by 64Bowtie on January 23, 2004, at 11:55:29
In reply to Numb, posted by giddy on January 23, 2004, at 2:41:19
Posted by 64Bowtie on January 23, 2004, at 12:01:05
In reply to Numb, posted by giddy on January 23, 2004, at 2:41:19
I hope you find inspiration here. Sounds like you are ready for a change. I hope it is vivid and meets your visions and dreams.
Rod
Posted by Poet on January 23, 2004, at 13:48:08
In reply to Numb, posted by giddy on January 23, 2004, at 2:41:19
Hi Giddy,
If you're not already seeing a therapist, you might consider it. For me, even though Paxil is working, it's therapy that I credit for being able to feel emotions- especially positive ones.
I hate being numb, so flat that depression is a welcome change. Talking to someone who understands emotions and could help find the reasons behind numbness and negativity might be good for you, too.
There may be someone to talk to at your school, many colleges offer free counseling for students
Hope I helped.
Poet
Posted by Karen_kay on January 23, 2004, at 13:57:07
In reply to Re: Numb » giddy, posted by Poet on January 23, 2004, at 13:48:08
I have to agree with Poet. I am alot like you, except that I have had some major stressors to link to my emotional numbness. But, I wonder, alot of people tend to downplay their own emotional turmoils. Could that be the case with you? I mean to sya that many people tend to say, "Oh, well it could have been worse." I know that when I relate to things that happened in my past I think, "Well, it wasn't really that bad, I mean I'm still here." Do you understand what I'm saying? And when I look at the actually writing that I do and listen to my sister retell the stories of things that happened in my past, I realize that I lived through some pretty bad things. Could that be the case for you as well? Just a thought.... Anywhoooo...Seeing a therapist is a good place to find some answers.
Posted by giddy on January 23, 2004, at 21:52:50
In reply to I am sad you are not in a good place » giddy, posted by 64Bowtie on January 23, 2004, at 12:01:05
Hi guys, thanks for the responses I really appreciate it!
>hate is an emotion
I knew I was gonna get that one lol =)
Yes, it is. And it's not like I am completely devoid of emotion either. Sometimes I can be happy or laugh or get mad, but it is very brief and only like 15% intensity of what it used to be. It's hard to explain. I tried telling somebody once and he was like 'don't be silly! You just laughed see, you have emotions!'. Yeah, I can laugh and look normal on the outside, but inside is very numb.
> I hope you find inspiration here. Sounds like you are ready for a change. I hope it is vivid and meets your visions and dreams.
>
> RodThankyou for the kind words Rod.
>Hi Giddy,
>
If you're not already seeing a therapist, you might consider it. For me, even though Paxil is working, it's therapy that I credit for being able to feel emotions- especially positive ones.
>
I hate being numb, so flat that depression is a welcome change. Talking to someone who understands emotions and could help find the reasons behind numbness and negativity might be good for you, too.
>
There may be someone to talk to at your school, many colleges offer free counseling for students
>
Hope I helped.
>Hi Poet. No, I have not yet been to a therapist. I saw a councelor a few times, but stopped (probably should have stayed). But, I don't think he understood. He contributed it to me being bored and my Dad believed him too, so he is always on my case now (grr) lol. I am glad to hear therapy helped you get back in touch with your emotions. It helps too knowing others like me have been through the same thing and have been able to get past it.
>I have to agree with Poet. I am alot like you, except that I have had some major stressors to link to my emotional numbness. But, I wonder, alot of people tend to downplay their own emotional turmoils. Could that be the case with you? I mean to sya that many people tend to say, "Oh, well it could have been worse." I know that when I relate to things that happened in my past I think, "Well, it wasn't really that bad, I mean I'm still here." Do you understand what I'm saying? And when I look at the actually writing that I do and listen to my sister retell the stories of things that happened in my past, I realize that I lived through some pretty bad things. Could that be the case for you as well? Just a thought.... Anywhoooo...Seeing a therapist is a good place to find some answers.
>Hi Karen. I understand what you mean and you are probably right. I have been through a lot of things over the years, but I have never been abused (physically). Also, even my memories are flat so it is hard to remember what was really bad and what was good other then how I remember reacting to it at the time. Has that ever been the case with you? Did your memories ever seem flat to you. I probably do downplay what I went through. To others it may seem pretty bad, but to me it was just normal day life.
Posted by Karen_kay on January 24, 2004, at 12:50:28
In reply to Re: I am sad you are not in a good place, posted by giddy on January 23, 2004, at 21:52:50
Your memories are flat? How do you mean? My memories are nonexistant, and that's no lie :) I think the best thing for you to do is start therapy to begin getting back in touch with your emotions, if you feel that you have a problem with that area. I'm perfectly fine with the fact that I don't have emotions, but others disagree and I'm in the business of making others happy so that's why I'm doing it [HA!]
It's good that you know how you reacted to things when they happened. That's a great place to start. You have a solid foundation to build from.
Also, I don't know details (and not that I'm asking or anything) but when you gorwup with ricidule, bullying or abuse, ect you begin to accept that it is "a part of everyday life." Now's the time to realize that it shouldn't have been and to begin to heal. I applaud you for realizing that you aren't feeling things to your full capacity. That's a hard realization to come to.
Posted by giddy on January 25, 2004, at 3:43:13
In reply to Re: I am sad you are not in a good place » giddy, posted by Karen_kay on January 24, 2004, at 12:50:28
By flat memories I mean I usually don't respond emotionally when thinking about past events. Why is it that you are ok with not having emotions? Did you just accept it over time and adjust? Or did you maybe forget what it is like to have strong emotions. Has Therapy helped you to regain some lost feelings? I have only noticed the numbing for over a year, so maybe I just haven't got to that point yet.
I am going to make an appoitment for a therapist. Thankyou so much for the advice. Without it I doubt it would have occured to me to do this.
> Your memories are flat? How do you mean? My memories are nonexistant, and that's no lie :) I think the best thing for you to do is start therapy to begin getting back in touch with your emotions, if you feel that you have a problem with that area. I'm perfectly fine with the fact that I don't have emotions, but others disagree and I'm in the business of making others happy so that's why I'm doing it [HA!]
>
> It's good that you know how you reacted to things when they happened. That's a great place to start. You have a solid foundation to build from.
> Also, I don't know details (and not that I'm asking or anything) but when you gorwup with ricidule, bullying or abuse, ect you begin to accept that it is "a part of everyday life." Now's the time to realize that it shouldn't have been and to begin to heal. I applaud you for realizing that you aren't feeling things to your full capacity. That's a hard realization to come to.
This is the end of the thread.
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