Quote:
Originally Posted by Terraminator
Would it be possible for a person to sort of shut down emotionally? Like, consciously, they know that they are shutting down. So say after a few deaths and major life events that have taken a toll on them, the next time it happens they just...don't care. They stop caring about death, or feeling empathetic, or anything really. But the difference is, they know what they are doing. They can't exactly stop it, cause it's already taken over, but they know that they forced themselves to stop feeling.
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yes it is possible to purposely shut off ones emotions, while being consciously aware of doing so. people do this every day. Just this morning I hit my elbow on the edge of the table. my emotion was a combination of pain, anger and frustration. one of my children was crying and needing a fresh diaper so I purposely shut down my emotions about the pain, anger and frustration from hitting my elbow and went to take care of my child.
this is just one example of how parents have to sometimes shut down their own emotions in order to take care of their children.
another example at work I have to deal with all kinds of people, some abusers of children and women and men. I would just love to...well use your imagination and would will hit on the millions of ways I would just love to vent my anger on these abusers. but instead I must remain calm, and help the victims through their own trauma and emotions while at the same time keeping my own shut down on purpose. then when I get home I take my anger out in more useful, non violent, and sometimes creative ways.
The other day I was riding uptown in a taxi. I could tell the driver was frustrated and angry at this one driver that was not driving very safely. instead of swearing, ranting and building up into road rage he took a deep breath, shutting off his feelings and continuing on doing the job of driving his taxi...
these are just a few of the many ways human being purposely shut off their emotions on a daily basis.