Psychological Problem?

Question

My girlfriend has a problem, most likely a psychological one, in which at random points during her life, usually a little over a month in time, she feels feelingless. If that makes any sense, she looses care about anything in her life, doesn't feel anything, in a sense she becomes numb. Only problem with this whole issue is that, her parents don't believe in psychiatrists, which leaves us at a stand still as well because she has issues opening up to strangers. Does anybody have any idea's what this could possibly be? And if so, is there anything that can be done about it without any medications.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
- Dimitris V.

Answer 1

This is a manifestation of depression. While some people have classic depressive feelings of melancholy (feeling very sad), some people feel very little of anything. In addition, the affected people will withdraw from friends & family & stop participating in things they used to enjoy doing.

She needs support from you and her family, as well as to talk to her doctor. Therapy without medications will likely benefit her in this situation.

Answer 2

The numb part you are talking about is actually called "numbing out". where a person emotionally becomes numb due to the things/situations going on in their life. Numbing out allows the person to not have to deal with it or their emotions, although it is not the healthiest way.
As far as what is exactly wrong, that is a hard question to answer without knowing more. This is something that would need to be assessed by a psychiatrist....even though I know you said her parents don't believe in it.
Certain types of therapy may be beneficial, but without knowing the exact cause it makes it hard to know exactly what is is that needs to be worked on.

Answer 3

That sounds to me like straight forward depression. Feeling depressed leads to fealing numb, loosing care for pretty much anything, everything you described. I'm not a psychologist, but i'm betting depression, but it doesn't sound like a to serious form (not that it isn't serious, i just mean like it isn't major depression where she wants to kill herself). I'm not sure why her parents don't believe in psychiatrists, they are totally, but i believe that if she really wants help, she should see a counsellor anyhow. It might be going against what her parents want, but it will do her alot of good and she needs to worry about her needs right now, not nesscarily her parents wants. Also, as for what you can do w/out medication, i go back to counselling. But i have to say, there is nothing wrong with medication. I personally take them, and they help me quite a bit. Don't listen to any of the social stigma about taking medicine. If it's finacial issues that is the worry, there are ways around that i beleive. Anyways... I'm not sure what you are talking about whne you say she has trouble opening up to strangers, are you talking about if she saw a counsellor? If that is what you are referring to, then don't worry about that at all. I went to a counsellor, and i am deathly shy of talking to people i don't know (i can't even ask someoen for change for a dollar). They take thier time allowing you to warm up to them, and waiting till you trust them enough to go into the issues. That's all good. So, to sum up
-She needs to worry about herself, not her parents, in that she gets whatever help she needs, whether it be a psychiatrist or not
-There is nothing wrong w/ medicines, but if it still isn't an option, once agian counselling is a god thing.
-I would say she most definetly has depression. OH, it would probably help you to look up all the symptoms of depression and to see how many match.
-If you (or her) want to talk to the parents about psychiatrists you should compile some facts you (or her) have gathered. I woudl suggest talking to them to dispell thier beliefs.

so yeah, hope this helps. I'm sorry i'm so scattered, but good luck and best of wishes!

Answer 4

dimitris..........thats the second time i heard that name. my son has a friend with that name. anyways.........sounds like she needs to see a counsellor or psychologist. sounds like she has been traumatized at some point in her life and has not been allowed to fully deal with it. so as a way of coping with the trauma and protecting herself, her mind has withdrawn and left her feeling numb. you ever see someone thats been beaten. they tend to withdraw and shy away from people. not saying thats what happened to her.........i have no idea. but thats an example i can think of to relate how people withdraw when they experience some sort of trauma. you sound like you are still a young couple. being there for her is good. that will help her. but don't over do yourself, cause you can't care take her. its a fine line sometimes. go see a school counsellor if you are still in school. she needs to allow herself to go back in her life and pin point were this trauma started from. and work from there. but to have a professional counsellor while at it. so she can learn how to effectivly deal with it and be able to let it go enough to be able to move on with her life.

Answer 5

Either it's depression or post traumatic stress disorder. She needs to talk to a counselor or a therapist to find out what the problem is. In my opinion, her parents are hiding something, even if they don't believe in psychiatrists, they don't seem to care about the emotional well being of their daughter.

Answer 6

It may be depression or bipolar disorder. It could be physiological. She needs to talk to her doctor about this. Any doctor can prescribe medications, but you need a diagnosis first. You can help by being supportive, and getting her calmed down prior to going to appointments. If you go with her, don't let her bring you past the waiting room unless her doctor asks you to come in.

Answer 7

Brian Wilson One of my personal heroes, and one of the reasons besides his God-like talent was his ability to overcome his issues and to continue to make music to this very day. also consider the case of Roky Erickson In 1968, while doing a stint at Hemisfair, Erickson started speaking nonsense. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sent to a Houston psychiatric hospital, where he involuntarily received electroconvulsive therapy. The Elevators were vocal proponents of mescaline (peyote), LSD, and marijuana use, and were subject to extra attention from police. In 1969, Erickson was arrested for possession of one marijuana joint in Austin. Facing a ten-year prison term, Erickson pled not guilty by reason of insanity. He was first sent to the Austin State Hospital. After several escapes, he was sent to the Rusk State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, where he was subjected to more electroconvulsive therapy and Thorazine treatments, ultimately remaining in custody until 1972

Answer 8

Have a coke and a smile and call me in the morning... no seriously sounds like depression. Her serotonin levels may be doing the rollercoster, natural boosters include chocolate. remember that you can see a psychologist who does not prescribe medicine like a psychiatrist...

Answer 9

shes suffering from depression and she NEEDS to be on medication or at least talk to a psychologist about it, its very important, these episodes where she cares about nothing will become more and more frequent and she may just stay that way. dating someone like that could be a huge challange because she doesnt care about you when shes like that either! if she doesnt get help for it break up with her dont waste your time with someone liek that.

Answer 10

if her parents don't believe in psychiatrists...there are other ways to help her. get her to talk to her family doctor about depression (it sounds like she has clinical depression). They can prescribe drugs and issue blood tests to check out any chemical imbalances. family doctors have to keep their information confidential and if your girlfriend is over 18, he can't tell her parents anything.