The Library
Field noteTraumaMental healthMen1 minute read
Numb is not the same as fine
Feeling nothing can be a sign you are carrying a lot. How to tell the difference.
Some people think that because they are not crying or angry, they are dealing with it well. Sometimes that is true. Often it is numbness.
What numbness looks like
- Nothing feels very good or very bad
- You go through the motions at work and at home
- People tell you something sad and you feel nothing
- You feel far away, as if watching your own life
- You lose interest in things you used to enjoy
Numbness is a protective response. When feeling everything would be too much, the mind turns the volume down. It helped you get through. But left on too long, it keeps the good out too.
Small ways back
- Notice small physical sensations: warm water, cold air, the weight of a blanket
- Spend time with an animal, or outdoors
- Do something with your hands
- Let yourself have one honest conversation
Feeling may come back slowly, and sometimes the hard feelings come first. That is part of the thaw, not a step backwards. If the numbness lasts for weeks, or comes with thoughts of not wanting to be here, talk to a doctor.
