Discussion Emotional blunting and habitation

[amberkakapo]

When you go through something "bad" too many times (regardless of whether it's the same thing or something different), your stress response begins to dull. For example, long term abuse has been described to become the brains "new normal", and domestic abuse survivors will only realize how horrible their situation was once they're out. Has anyone else also ever struggled with this issue before? Personally, it's like my brain can understand that, objectively, what I went through was wrong, but theres no emotional reaction attached to it when recalling it. I should feel distressed — but I'm not. It was like that for quite a while, but I struggle to feel fear in general now which I really dislike. It's led to me pushing boundaries in life to get a rush of emotion. Is there any way to approach this?

 

[violetforever]

i think this is happening to me rn :/ im just going to with it

 

[amberkakapo]

i think this is happening to me rn :/ im just going to with it

It's okay. You can do it.

 

[violetforever]

It's okay. You can do it.

thanks…im kind of preferring it actually

 

[Aphid]

I understand, when I was younger I went through some sexual trauma and I still feel nothing about it. Sometimes I feel upset or sad but I feel nothing now to the point where it just feels like an utter joke

 

[amberkakapo]

thanks…im kind of preferring it actually

Me too. It just kinda offputs me a little. Although this is a fairly new struggle for me too, what broadened my perspective a little bit was thinking of how the same thing was for other people, the first time. For example. The first time someone would see someone get hurt. It's fucking terrifying!! Compared to, say, ten times. Does that make sense? I feel like it might be worded a little carelessly.

I understand, when I was younger I went through some sexual trauma and I still feel nothing about it. Sometimes I feel upset or sad but I feel nothing now to the point where it just feels like an utter joke

Like!! I should be angry and sad, but I'm not