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What does feeling numb or detached mean? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

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  SPEAKER_00: What does feeling numb or detached mean?
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  SPEAKER_00: Feeling numb or detached usually means feeling emotionally disconnected from yourself, other people or what is happening around you.
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  SPEAKER_00: When feeling emotionally numb, you may feel like you can't access your emotions, even when you think you should be able to.
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  SPEAKER_00: You may feel empty, flat or nothing, or find it difficult to feel pleasure, sadness or excitement or connection.
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  SPEAKER_00: You may know something is upsetting intellectually but not feel it emotionally.
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  SPEAKER_00: Detachment can feel like being an autopilot, distancing from people you normally care about, feeling like you're watching life from the outside, and feeling disconnected from your body or surroundings.
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  SPEAKER_00: Finding conversations or situations difficult to emotionally engage with.
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  SPEAKER_00: This can happen because numbness or detachment can sometimes be the mind and nervous system's way of protecting you when emotions or experiences feel overwhelming.
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  SPEAKER_00: It can occur with grief, prolonged stress, trauma, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, or feeling emotionally overloaded.
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  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't necessarily mean that you don't care.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes feeling nothing is actually a sign that you've been feeling too much for too long.
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  SPEAKER_00: If the feeling is persistent, distressing or affecting your relationships or daily life, talking it through with a counsellor or another mental health professional can help you understand what is underneath it.
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  SPEAKER_00: If you are thinking of harming yourself or feel unsafe, please call your local emergency number or crisis line.