this might sound a bit strange..?

Question

sometimes i find myself just..detaching sort of, from any sort of emotion, which is extremely useful at times because i can deal with problems without getting emotional about it, its just like i can switch them off sometimes.. is this normal?? its just worrying me because sometimes i find myself able to think about things that should cause me extreme discomfort, but if im in the "detached emotion" stage, they dont.. im not heartless or anything, but is this normal?
this doesnt happen itself, it usually happens because i want it to, like a switch, can this harm me in anyway, psychologically/physically etc?
thanks..

Answer 1

I agree that this is a coping mechanism. Growing up I noticed that I do the same thing myself. In times of emotional stress I just detatch and act very methodically, almost coldly. This happens most especially if I am angry or frightened.
The problem that I found was that this can get to the point where I become so detached from my own feelings that it takes a few days for those feelings to "register" and when they do I find myself angry or upset about something that happened days ago.
Over the last 5 or so years I have focused on paying more attention to my insticts and making my emotional connections more immediate. This had led me into some interesting revelations about myself. You will probably find that, somewhere along the way, someone may have convinced you (for me it was my dad) that being emotional was "womanly" or "weakminded". Its taken me a long time to come to grips with my emotional self but I am happy to say that my "check in" time has dropped from a few days to only few minutes.
I don't know if you are looking for a solution so much as to see if this is normal. I think that it is-a lot of people I know do the same thing. As I said, its a coping mechanism. And if it doesn't intrude into your life in a negative way there is nothing wrong with it. If it does then you may want to seek some therapy or talk to someone about it.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Detachment is a defense mechanism and as it is the case with all defense mechanisms they can be both helpful and unhelpful depending on why they are used, against what they defend and at what cost this defense comes. Being detached from your feelings could be helpful in a crisis when you need to analise the situation very quickly and react (eg. natural disasters) but it is not helpful when this defense is applied in other areas of life and in situations that could be potentially painful, because the feelings are not processed and unprocessed feelings are usually acted out in many different ways. If you think that you overdo it, then I would suggest to meet with a therapist and discuss your concerns with him/her

Answer 3

You are aware that you are doing it which is a good thing, It sounds like a protective mechanism that you have developed as a result of previous emotional and/or physical trauma. It doesn't sound like it is harming you in any way - just don't let it get to a point where you turn off emotions to everyday frustrations and events.

Answer 4

It is a good tool But the problem with it is yes you can become heartless. If you use this technique to hurt others or not feel things that are important to feel just to be human. Be careful with this. Compassion is very important in human evolution. (I don't mean Darwin theory) I mean the evolution of our eternal self (our soul) we have to come to complete compassion to begin realize who we are. Others are doing the same thing as you but they are using alcohol, drugs, relationship, and so many things to try to turn off their pain. It is important to come to the point of seeking out real happiness instead of negating pain. Pain is karma but it is also Gods Gift so that we will want to end this cycle of repeated Birth death, old age and disease. So we will take up the process to come back to Him. If we don't we could become an animal in our next life or a bug. For information on ending all karma and misery go to harekrishnatemlpe.com Read The Science of Self Realization by Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada I am so glad I know how to end this misery.

Answer 5

Its a very useful tool to be able to detach oneself when under severe stress. It enables us to carry out necessary tasks for example when some is very ill and we have to forget the emotion and get on with the sorting out of things. Or when someone dies you could go to pieces and not function but it would not be a help to your family. There is always plenty of time to grieve afterwards when the nasty but necessary deeds are completed. I am usually the one who is in control of situations within the family when someone dies or is very ill. The rest fall to pieces and leave it up to me, not that I am hard, far from it, they count me a 'highly strung' most of the time but for some reason when it really matters I am the one in control, the one they all call first in emergencies. Definitely this must be a safety mechanism to protect the tribe. Afterwards I cry.

Answer 6

Its difficult to say. Physically...perhaps your ability to view a situation without emotion could cause you to say something that a emotional person might object to and react violently toward. You might also find it difficult to have friends as they will find you to be cold or emotionally isolated. Also its not so unusual for people to be able to do this, you'll find there are many professions out there that require the person do see, hear or do things that could cause severe emotional problems and the ability to set aside your emotions could be a quality in that profession.

Answer 7

Whether it's normal or strange, does not really matter, in my opinion, as you should be only true to yourself and your nature, not to the "norms" society has imposed as appropriate reactions.
I do the same often... yes, it could be considered a defense mechanism, a way of coping with external pressures or a method you use to manage your life, or anything else really, I wouldn't ignorantly limit your experiences only to my knowledge.

I personally find this method, when used in moderation and by choice (rather than allowing it to control one), to be quite useful in being able to assess matters objectively, not influenced by emotions, which at times, may lead to impulsive reactions or actions.

Answer 8

Humans sometimes detach thier emotional side so they can fight or do things that emotions amy get in the way of

Answer 9

Hello. How does your question sound strange? Strange restricts your wonderful question into a box of a kind. Your question is boxless. It has no attachment whatsoever, which is, as indeed, described by you and your ability.

Keep going on this path, for you are closer to true freedom and enlightenment than you may realise.

Please do not let "box" emotions and thoughts like "worry" and "is it normal/strange" to cloud the truth you are starting to experience.

Answer 10

I'm no expert but I would think it's just your way of coping. I'd love if I could detach like that! It must just be a mechanism to prevent you from getting hurt...