The inability to remember emotions?

Question

Hello, during a couple of weeks now I have been struggling with an issue I have discovered, I have noticed that I can not remember how emotions feel, For instance unless I am experiencing anger I can not remember how it feels to be angry, unless I experience joy or happiness I can not remember how it feels. And so on and so forth.

As you can imagine this is a wee bit troubling as it has the lasting effects that my memories brings me nothing, except for perhaps guilt, how ever that is a new feeling and not a feeling I would be remembering.

It causes me to forgive very easily, and this is most troubling as it allows people to step on me and keep stepping on me.

So I guess what I am here to ask is how would I go about remembering my emotions.

Answer 1

In my opinion, I don't think one can exactly remember how an emotion feels unless you are experiencing it at that particular moment, I don't understand though how guilt can be a new emotion to you as it is generally part of the spectrum of emotions we have since childhood. Had you never before experienced guilt, you'd be a rather remorseless (and possibly even cruel)individual. You say that you forgive people too easily which means that you're not, I don't think that its a matter of you having forgotten how you felt at the time, if someone does something unpleasant to you, I just think you deal with it and most likely have a good deal of empathy for people and that is why you forgive them - that essentially is a great quality but as with everything you should have limits as to how much you allow people to get away with.

Answer 2

I often am the same way that you are, although hurt and pain right now are emotions that linger. I had turned my emotions off for a very long time--years in fact. At first I had turned them inward and then shut them off completely. Nothing was there, I wouldnt even become angry at being stepped on. I just didnt feel anything anymore. Some people came into my life that brought me joy and I found myself able to express feelings again. It feels as though I am learning emotions all over again, most of them unfamiliar. I even have blank spots in my memories where I can be told I was somewhere with people and have no memory what so ever of having been there. I was turned off and had blocked the world out--kind of like being dead inside. I am no longer that way and it feels like I crawled out of a hole. Finding something that can "turn you back on" again would be beneficial, a bowling team, some friends, something you enjoy. A life of simply meeting demands without being allowed anything of your own to create joy will kill you inside.

Answer 3

It sounds to me like you've developed a sense of proportion. Stable people are just that - stable. The reason older people are not volatile is that they've learned not to make mountains out of molehills and they have a sense of proportion. You can go a bit far the other way and become a bit of an emotional zombie. This is a useful skill if you work in a hospice or something but I can see how it might worry you. I'd say if you still laugh at your favourite type of comedy show then you're just maturing. If however your sense of humour has deserted you, you might be a bit stressed/depressed.

Answer 4

You should keep a journal. The mind will remember something completely only when it has read it 15 times or more.

As far as your inability to remember all emotions, that could be a result from short term memory loss, whether it's obvious or not. Think back to when this started... what changed in your life that was traumatic or unacceptable in your mind? There you will find the "Why" and when you find the "Why" then you will once again learn to remember more of what you say and feel.

Sincerely, Shelia.

Answer 5

I would suggest looking into therapy for accessing the emotions you are numbing yourself out over (subconciously).
I experienced this myself and it was like learning to feel all over again. I had a journal and I used a worksheet that listed every emotion you could think of. I would try to identify what I felt. At first it was rough. really rough! There is a reason why your body is numbing out. However, its now a lot easier to identify how I feel. Also, you may want to also judge how strong the emotion feels too. That may help you start identifying some. My therapist helped me a ton. I would definately look into an intake. Best of luck!

Answer 6

I know a bit about how you feel. I have found watching a movie that will pull an emotional response to be helpful. If it is a tear jerker - I can relate to sorrowful times. If it is a comedy - it helps me with funny moments.
I also try to be more 'empathic' with people, seeing how they react to a situation will help with my own emotional cues.
You may wish to keep a journal of your events and refer to them now and again in order not to forget and keep yourself focused.

Answer 7

at the time of an incident the reality of the situation evokes an automatic response when this situation is recalled at a later date the situation has passed and the emotional response is not automatic and hence not so strong or real

Answer 8

You seriously need to see a therapist. Emotions are innate and automatic, while they can be controlled somewhat. If you are having serious problems with emotions, such as this, you really need to see a psychiatrist.

Answer 9

Just be more asserted and do not put up with the crap of others.

It is ok to be angry or upset with those around you. I would let them go down the road of life and you go down yours and if they go down in flames then you know you did the right thing.

Answer 10

it's possibly to do with depression or associated mental health issues. I see a psychotherapist and she will say 'how did that make you feel?' i will usually be unable to answer as i really dont know. for me it's self protection, my feelings have the potential to hurt me, if i avoid them, they cant.

i was on antidepressants and they numb you lots too.