how to help numbness
i've been feeling numbed out and out of it lately. i feel it physically in my chest, like something's missing in there. it's really hard because i'm usually an emotional person and it hurts not being able to feel them as deeply as i usually do. i connected it to being triggered about my past relationship and the trauma of being mistreated and it's been difficult trying to let go and not be so fixated on the numbness. if anyone has any coping strategies, please let me know <3
@mobteru As I read your question I realised that I feel numb quite often myself! I read some articles about this and found some sugestions. Exercise, talking about it, mindfulness and meditation, try to identify and express emotions. I may try some of these things and I will let you know if it helps.Do any of these ideas sound like something that might be helpful to you?
@adventurousBranch3786 hi there, thank you for your response!! i'm sorry to hear that you feel numb pretty often too, it's never easy to feel that way. i think those suggestions will help though, yes! i've been doing my best to do things like this as well as continuing my trauma narrative reading, and it's been taking a lot of time, but i'm trying to trust the process. i hope those methods have been helping you a lot too, please do let me know <3
@mobteru Hi, I've been trying to identify and express emotions. I have noticed that when I do it, I have felt something! I am going to try to do this at least once or twice a day. Thank you for asking. The trauma narrative sounds like a good ,although difficult thing to do. I hope that you find it helpful.
I know this is 25 days ago, but I have a bit of advice or… well, my thoughts anyway.
I've been one year out of lifelong abuse/trauma etc.
And I still deal with dissociation and numbness/apathy, daily.
I must admit I made a mistake earlier in my freedom. I pushed so hard to feel and think, after my ability to do these two fundamental tasks was stripped from me.
I didn’t first focus on allowing a safe space within myself to be open to my own feelings and thoughts.
I worked briefly on using cbt techniques to help my self esteem, but I only got to feeling neutral and stopped doing the work. Now I must admit my flashbacks are more intense and last hours instead of minutes.
Self esteem is merely one piece of the puzzle, I’m finding. Working on not demonizing our thoughts and feelings is also important, since most likely we’ve held onto other’s opinions of our own thoughts and feelings.
Self-care is also important. Go at your own pace with everything too. Meditation is also amazing as well, and there are many forms to try. Yoga is actually meditation in movement, and is great for restlessness etc.
I’m only just now starting to focus on these various things and guiding myself through flashbacks (always be careful if you decide to try it), and it’s starting to help; however it’s a far slower process since I didn’t start out with the proper foundation. I still experience numbness daily with bouts of flashbacks, but I’ve been working toward accepting and loving myself through them. It’s tough, and I think it’s supposed to be. But I must say, you were strong enough to go through Hell and back, so I do know you will get through this too. I’m always here if you want or need a friend :)
