8 Surprising Signs You Might Be Emotionally Numb

Do you feel empty? Do your favorite activities lack their usual spark? You might be experiencing emotional numbness. Emotional numbness is when you lose the ability to feel or express your emotions. This state of mind can impact every aspect of your life, and you might not even realize something is wrong. Numbness can grow and worsen over time, so here are eight signs that you are emotionally numb.

8 Signs You Are Emotionally Numb

If you identify strongly with anything on this list, don't push those feelings away. Emotional numbness can be an early symptom of depression, so it's important to act early. Confront your negativity and seek help.

1. You've Lost Interest

Have you lost interest in your daily life? For most people, emotional numbness starts here. They stop caring about their job, neglect their health, and get bored with their lifelong passions. According to a 2013 study by Winer and others, a sudden loss of interest is a strong predictor of emotional numbness.

2. You Can't Feel Pleasure

Do you force yourself to have fun? A 2019 study by Winer and others explains that your inability to feel pleasure is called Anhedonia. Anhedonia can affect any part of your life, from dining out to watching your favorite TV show. Activities that once left you energized now feel pointless. Anhedonia is a problem on its own, but it's also a common symptom of depression. If the best moments in your life aren't as fun as they used to be, you might be struggling on a deeper level.

3. Food Doesn't Taste As Good

Have you noticed that food has lost its taste? This strange experience is also a sign of emotional numbness. The same 2019 study highlighted how numbness can affect both emotional and physical pleasures, like eating. Few pleasures compare to a delicious meal, but emotional numbness can leave your food tasting like cardboard. If your physical senses feel weak or strange, it may be time to seek help.

4. You Don't Want Anything

Are you constantly unmotivated? Does every activity feel like a chore? According to a 2012 study by Sherdell and others, anticipation and fun are closely linked. When you're excited about something, that experience feels more rewarding. A good attitude and fair expectations prepare you for a positive experience. When you dread an experience, those rewards may disappear entirely. You're already in a bad mood, so your negativity creates a self-fulfilling prophecy. In other words, it's not fun because you expect the worst.

5. You're Really Indecisive

Do you struggle with the smallest decisions? Are you less decisive than you used to be? Confidence gives you the power to make firm decisions. When you're happy and secure, you believe in your own judgment and feel empowered. But emotional numbness shatters your confidence. You convince yourself that there's no right answer and that every option leads you down the wrong path. As indecision grows, your emotions sink lower and lower. So don't let your indecision fly under the radar.

6. You Feel Guilty All the Time

Do you feel guilty about everything? Do you feel guilty for being lazy or spending too much time in bed? Do you feel guilty for feeling guilty? This is another common sign of emotional numbness. When your emotions are dulled, it seems like you're doing everything wrong. A little negativity can quickly snowball into a mountain of shame. If you're troubled by never-ending guilt, you may be emotionally numb.

7. You Avoid Your Loved Ones

Have you been avoiding your friends or family? Normally, you're excited to spend time with someone you love, but now it sounds like a nightmare. If you're canceling plans left and right, emotional numbness may be the reason why. Your friendships suffer when you don't express yourself. If you relate to this, which trusted friends or family members do you plan to reach out to and express how you truly feel?

8. You Feel Attacked

Do you feel like no one is on your side? Do you feel attacked or criticized everywhere you go? Emotional numbness can destroy your confidence. When you have no confidence, it feels like everyone is out to get you. In these difficult moments, remember that you're not alone, and you do have people in your corner, even if it doesn't feel like it.