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Can’t Feel for Others; Am I Emotionally Numb?

07 May, 2024
Q I am a university student who has a very big problem. I find it hard to feel sometimes, I think I am emotionally numb. For example, I can’t relate much to other people's emotions. I know when a situation is meant to generate a negative emotion in me, like pity or sadness, but I don’t feel anything.

I have tried so hard to feel, I even pretend cause I know all the right responses but sometimes I find it even hard to pretend I care, I have been called cold. I realized there was something wrong with me for a while now, I even started researching what could be wrong.

Pls help me. What should I do? I don’t think I want to be as emotionally numb as I am. Cause I can feel just not for other people, and I don’t know what to do to fix that.

Answer

In her answer, Sr. Aisha speaks about the importance of understanding the subjectivity of emotions in our interactions with others. 

If an event does not create the same feelings in you as in someone else, it does not mean that you are unable to feel the sadness or happiness of others.

Empathy means understanding others’ feelings, and being able to see things from their perspective. This does not necessarily mean feeling the same way about a particular situation. 

On the other hand, childhood experiences, unresolved traumas, or even the changes of puberty could influence our ability to express feelings and respond to emotionally charged situations. How?

Check the counselor’s answer!

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DISCLAIMER
Views expressed by hosts/guests on this program (live dialogue, Facebook sessions, etc.) are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. 

About Aisha Mohammad
Aisha has a PhD in psychology, an MS in public health and a PsyD. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years at Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. She has worked with clients with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and OCD. She also facilitated support groups and provided specialized services for victims of domestic violence, HIV positive individuals, as well youth/teen issues. Aisha is certified in Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavioral Management, Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Confidentiality & Security. Aisha is also a Certified Life Coach, and Relationship Workshop facilitator. Aisha has a part-time Life Coaching practice in which she integrates the educational concepts of stress reduction, mindfulness, introspection, empowerment, self love and acceptance and spirituality to create a holistic healing journey for clients. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocates for prisoner rights/reentry, social & food justice, as well as advocating for an end to oppression & racism. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.