Is it normal that i can switch off my emotions

58% Normal
12 Comments

So i have this thing that i can switch of my emotions and just feel nothing in particular.
I'm able to switch off my emotions in situations when im happy, sad or excited by just kinda flushing it away from my body.
But when i do it for a long time its hard to have feelings again and you just feel numb

So i want to know if its normal, because i'm also able to switch off a strong emotion like being in love with someone. And i dont think being able to do that is healthy

Voting Results
58% Normal
Based on 12 votes (7 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • BlackCatsAreAwesome
    6 years ago

    It's a common trait in psychopaths.

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    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      True. Psychopaths can do this as they need to, which is scary within itself. Why would you want to turn off your love and other emotions as needed at the time? This abiliti makes psychopaths even more creeepy.

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  • gip
    6 years ago

    It's a maladaptive coping mechanism that falls in the dissociative disorder category, so while you're not the only one you're correct in it not being healthy.
    I used to do it in my teens. It resolved itself after I removed some big stressors from life, and also as I healed from past pain and learned to cope with emotions more effectively.
    Sometimes the body learns to protect itself from overwhelming pain, fear or stress by shutting itself down, like in the case of traumas, or dissociation will occur as a depressive symptom, or it can even be part of an eating disorder, identity or body issues. I had all three.
    My advice would be to identify the underlying cause (a past trauma, an abusive situation, a mental illness you already suspect you have) and start from there.

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    • i_iz_not_normal
      6 years ago

      thanks man, I havent got a clue where it comes from because i thought i had closed my past trauma's. But i guess they're still somewhere deep inside of me.
      I'm going to try finding which one still has a big grip on me. And if its severe maybe talk to someone about it.

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  • EleventhDoctor
    6 years ago

    It is. I can do the same thing, and did for five years, to avoid the pain of bullying and betrayal, but recently I got into a relationship and my emotions have become happier and I've opened up and I feel amazing. My advice to you: don't lock your emotions up, all that will do is spiral you into depression. Find something you love and allow yourself to feel.

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    • i_iz_not_normal
      6 years ago

      I'll try my best, thanks man

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  • frienddp
    6 years ago

    switching off emotions is a good coping mechanism for tolerating bullshit

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  • [Old Memory]
    6 years ago

    I can turn off my emotions as needed, but unlike those with psychopathy, its not because i dont want to care. Its because i have been in situations in my life that were hard to deal with and i had to learn how to make myself 'comfortably numb' to certain emotions like sympathy and fear when i need to.

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  • Blabla123
    6 years ago

    Teach me how please

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  • RoseIsabella
    6 years ago

    I wish I could do that.

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    • McBean
      6 years ago

      Just don't. The OP is right. It's is hard to overcome numbness once you've started it. You are in an unhealthy dissociation from the world. Eventually, you may even stop processing emotions entirely. It takes years to get over that.

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    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      No you dont. The road that brings you to this ability is one you need not take. You are better off having (needing) to care.

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