Feeling numb

[biabeeb]

Hey all, I'm new to these forums so I hope I've gone to the right section to post. 
I feel like I've experienced depression throughout my teen years and anyone who knows me is kind of able to tell, even classmates have picked up on my behaviour since I also have ASD which can make me react over things emotionally. Over the years I feel like something like maybe depression has taken away my emotion. Everything in life is pretty fine and I have so many good times but those good times seem more underwhelming and feel like I kind of have to put on a mask and exaggerate. It doesn't mean that moment didn't mean anything to me, it still increases my mood, however it just doesn't feel the same as it used to, none of that same energy. I want to get back those emotions but feel like this numb feeling will remain forever. I want to know if anyone else has experiences this and was able to overcome it and I want to know if I will also overcome it and how because I feel quite hopeless over this. I can't remember when I felt completely normal but I believe this numbness especially started showing last yr and progressed up to now. Let me know your thoughts please. Thank you 🙂

[Sophie_M]

Hi biabeeb,
Wishing you a warm welcome to the forums. It takes a lot of courage to be so open and honest with your feelings, and we are so glad that you have reached out here tonight. You have come to a safe, non-judgemental space and our community is here to support you through this difficult time.

If you feel up to it, we'd also encourage you to reach out to our Beyond Blue Support Service, which is available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport. One of our friendly counsellors will be able to talk through these feelings with you and can offer support, advice and referrals.
 
You are not alone here, and we hope that you keep us updated on how you're going whenever you feel ready.

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi biabeeb,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry that you are not feeling yourself. I have heard some people describe a numbness or even a disconnect from their life experiences. You are not alone. This can be a symptoms of many things (like depression as you mentioned) but it is difficult to say exactly what is going on with out getting a proper assessment. I wonder if you have talked to anyone recently about this numb sensation like a GP or counsellor?

Writing a diary of your experiences can also help, even for a few weeks - you could write down how your feeling and what you were doing and any stressful things that may have happened. This way you can bring it to a health care appointment and recall your experiences a bit easier.

As Sophie_M has mentioned, there is always support if you just want to have a chat. Sometimes talking out loud about things can help you make sense of them. Or writing them down which you have already started here on the forum. This is a great start and I hope to hear back from you about how you are going. We are listening.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn