Is it normal to be able to block feelings out?

Lawyers do this too.

I do this but sometimes. When I explain it to people they think im messed up though.

Same thing...I went through so much if I didn't know how to block my feelings I would have committed suicide...anyway you just have to let loose sometimes and LET the emotions take over...I can't tell you how to do this it's different for everyone but try:)

I mastered this a whole ago after a difficult break-up. And have used it ever since. It is extremely useful. However a word of warning. It is a short term process. If you use it long term some emotions will start to die and others will flare out of control.

It's not healthy to bottle emotions it leads to larger problems we are emotional beings and our emotions need to be expressed. I know because I used to do this which then led to an emotional breakdown kinda like the Hoover dam splitting in two. Everything that I held inside just came crashing in on me. Being "numb" is not a good thing. It's easier to handle in small doses rather than losing the handle and the dam giving way to a flood of pent up emotion that you've held onto for years maybe not in the forefront of you mind but there none the less. This is called repression and is a coping mechanism. Consciously it may not affect you but sub-consciously it's a ticking time bomb waiting for the fabled last straw to explode.

Miek, ik ben nu even bezig maar ik zal t zo in t Nederlands typen

@odd777 Thanks for your reply! Though I think I don't need professional help (yet), I really appreciate your honesty about this.

@ItDuz Well, in some points I can control, at other points I completely can't.. I WANT to feel my feelings again, because I feel heartless when I talk about my former best friend as if I never liked him. I really hate myself for doing that, but I can't stop it :S At other points I CAN control it, because I can block my 'in love' feelings for someone who is already taken. But I want control over ALL my feelings... Now I'm afraid I'm turning cold and heartless..

@everyone I'm talking to my best friend about it now, because all the replies I got set me to think... I hope the replies keep coming and I'll keep you up-to-date!

Daan, ik ben ook Nederlands, dus je antwoord mag in het Nederlands ;) Al begrijp ik je Engels ook wel gewoon hoor :) Bedankt voor je reactie!

Like you said you can choose to block it so you wont become cold and mean because you can control it. So no worries you wont become bad.

I don't know what's normal, I can do it also but what I have had, I got so manny feelings in one time that I couldn't hold it anymore. That was wird cause i had had always the control in my own life and at that moment I lost all the control. I didn't know how to live with it. At that moment I thougt, I would die right now. I walked to the train because it was to much for me. When I arived I was lucky, one of my best friends was there. She saw something was not right and she took me in her arms and I cried, a long time. She took me home and i told her everything. Now I don't block my feelings anymore, I tell her everything and I'm feeling much better... So I would say to you. I know you can block but I think, at some moment you cant hold it and you're loosing control. To prevent for this, I would give you the advise to look for somebody you realy trust and tell everything to him/her and don't block you're feelings but try to live with them. I know it's hard sometimes but you will be able to do it and in the end you will be much happier than you are at this moment, even if you now think you're happy.. I would wish you succes with this because it's gonna be hard sometimes but you can do it, i'm sure of that!

I hope I helped you a bit!

My apologies for mistakes in my English, I'm dutch and English is not my best point..

Hey, I think it is fairly normal to create a defense mechanism for yourself. I think the extent you have it is maybe a little stoic, but I think it's fine.

I used to be pretty insecure so I 'blocked' out a lot of feelings and tendencies so I could become who I wanted to be. I cut this girl out of my life completely because I loved her too much and she'd moved on from me. Since her, I have a hard time feeling emotionally attached to people; or feel naturally romantically attracted. This was a side effect of the 'blocking', and it's lasted since it started 2 years ago. I block out a lot of stuff, usually things that make me angry.

People 'block' things in order to get the results they want. It's a disciplinary act of the mind; to assert control and squish weakness. I know what you mean about missing emotions taking over; I miss that all the time. It's the price we pay.

To stop 'blocking', we must let go of insecurities. Most people (including myself) are too proud to do that. It's human, and we're complex creatures.

Best of luck!

It's not normal for normal people. (Sounds weird I know). It's likely if u've been thru a lot u have some issues & might need professional help. Go get an assessment done by a psychiatrist. I been thru a lot & I have issues & need professional help. For folks like me it's considered common cuz I'm not normal, lol. But, all in all, what ur doing is a maladaptive coping mechanism for anyone; though when it was developed it must have served some purpose in preserving ur emotional integrity (developed response ur brain developed to keep u safe at some point in time - survival instinct - which can later in life ruin ur quality of life & be quite detrimental)