No feelings why

Contrary to the stereotype, autistic people do not all suffer emotional or social difficulties Credit: Science Photo Library.

It is a small pay-off, however: alexithymia seems to be linked to various other illnesses, including schizophrenia and eating disorders, perhaps because emotions normally guide us to take better care of our physical and mental health. Better defining alexithymia could therefore offer insights into these disorders.

It could also give us a more nuanced understanding of autism. Despite the stereotypes, Geoffrey Bird at Kings College London points out that around half of autistic people are perfectly capable of perceiving and responding to others, and those with social problems tend to also be suffering from alexithymia. For this reason, he thinks that distinguishing the two, distinct, disorders could therefore lead to better guidance.

At the moment, misunderstandings can often stand in the way of some autistic people getting the help they need. Normally, he says, the conscious perception of emotions can help damp down the physical sensations associated with the feeling. Without the emotional outlet, however, the mind could get stuck on the physical feelings, potentially amplifying the responses.

People with alexithymia often travel a lonely road as they try to connect to their emotions Credit: Getty Images. The hope is that eventually, doctors may be able to track down the origins of alexithymia and stop the effects from snow-balling.

Caleb thinks his alexithymia emerged at birth and could be genetic. Lane, for instance, introduced me to one of his patients, Patrick Dust, who was the subject of violent abuse from his alcoholic father — experiences that put his life in danger. He suspects this resulted in his fibromyalgia — chronic diffuse pain and tenderness across the whole body — and an eating disorder.

With initial guidance from Lane and later by himself, Dust was able to revisit the past and reconnect to the emotions he was locking away, which he thinks also brought some relief to the fibromyalgia. By making a conscious effort to love, alexithymic people may offer stability in a relationship Credit: Getty Images. Caleb, too, has visited a cognitive behavioural therapist to help with his social understanding, and through conscious effort he is now better able to analyse the physical feelings and to equate it with emotions that other people may feel.

Not everyone with alexithymia may have his determination and patience, however. Nor may they find a life partner who is willing to make the allowances his condition requires. In return, she may benefit from his stability — he is not swayed by the fickle tides of feelings.

That has been particularly helpful in the last eight months. There was no point to anything, so life seemed completely meaningless. When I got over depression and was high-functioning with emotional flatlining, I was able to put myself on autopilot and just get things done. But that same sense of meaninglessness continued, and I would break down at times in complete despair that I could not go on like this.

What is Anhedonia? No Feelings, Emotional Flatlining. Anhedonia Definition The clinical definition below states that anhedonia is a loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable, and a reduced capacity to feel pleasure.

With emotional flatlining I experienced a physical inability to produce positive emotions. It was not a reduction in feelings, but the complete absence of them. I believe emotional flatlining is a neurological condition where the brain malfunctions in a way that blocks the ability to feel emotions such as joy, happiness, gratitude, caring, and other positive feelings.

When I first became emotionally flat I fell into depression from being devastated by the condition. I was able to get rid of the depression over time, but still experienced complete and total emotional flatlining. So I believe they are distinct conditions. With emotional flatlining I was still able to experience negative emotions such as anger and frustration. In some cases they seemed less intense than before, but they were there. Positive Emotional Flatlining Definition A physical condition that blocks the reward-system positive-feeling neurochemicals while the threat-response mechanisms continue to work and create negative feelings.

Examples of living with emotional flatlining include: Holding your baby and feeling no love or connection at all. Hearing your favorite song and being completely unmoved. Having no desire for, or enjoyment of intimacy even if you can perform physically Not being able to grieve the loss of someone you love.

Having no interest or motivation to do anything, including hobbies or activities you used to enjoy. Feeling totally flat during special moments such as getting married or watching your favorite sports team win a major championship. Having memory issues, trouble concentrating, and other cognitive difficulties. Causes of Anhedonia Anhedonia often goes along with other mental conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Causes of Emotional Flatlining While I created a new term to distinguish anhedonia from emotional flatlining, I think there are times when the term anhedonia is used appropriately to describe emotional flatlining. Below is a list of self-reported causes that people have made who have come to this site: Certain medications, including antidepressants and especially anti-psychotics.

Certain recreational drugs Severe or prolonged anxiety or stress. A consistent meditation practice can help you get in touch with your feelings by introducing you to your inner world. Awareness can be a powerful tool for broadening the gap between your trigger emotional pain and response emotional numbness. Smart small. Find a comfortable seated position with your back up against a wall.

Relax your gaze or close your eyes. Maybe turn on a diffuser with some lavender essential oil. If it feels good, add some light classical music, a genre known for evoking powerful emotions.

Set the Insight Timer app for just 2 minutes and see what comes up in your mind. Congratulations, you just meditated. To build on a meditation practice, consider attending a yoga class. It makes sense that if you twist, turn, and bend enough, eventually something will loosen up and release. Think of it as a way to unclog the cork. If this happens to you in yoga class, try not to be embarrassed. It's natural to feel empty or numb from time to time.

But what happens when you've been feeling empty for a while now? Dissociative identity disorder is an often misunderstood condition, but the tide is turning. Learn about the symptoms of DID here. Borderline personality disorder BPD is often misunderstood.

We look at the symptoms, causes, and treatments, along with some resources that can help. Recognizing the early signs of suicidal thoughts and intentions is an important step to get your kid the help they need.

Will meds for my mental disorder make me mute? Less than myself? If you've ever been hesitant to take prescriptions, it's time to get answers. Anxiety disorders are common types of mental health conditions. We explain the type of anxiety disorders, including phobias and generalized anxiety…. Change begins with brave conversations, but just talking about mental health isn't enough to reduce stigma.

Here are common stigmas and how to reduce…. All of us feel sad sometimes, but depression is different. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression and how to get help here.

Your depression treatment options are almost limitless. Medication, therapy, brain stimulation techniques, or self-help strategies could work for you. Exploring the five stages of grief could help you understand and put into context your or your loved one's emotions after a significant loss. Lebow — Updated on June 6, Causes What to do Long-term methods Next steps We include products we think are useful for our readers.

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