[MtnTime2896]

So, I want to talk about this because I didn't learn until today that this was common in sufferers of PTSD.

It's like, I learn something upsetting or even start to feel my mind wander over to something that should be distressing; still I find my emotions limited and restricted. I turn into a computer and simply analyze that something's wrong and then avoid the issue. All of this without feeling much, if anything.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, when does it happen for you? What triggers it?

[leejosepho]

My brain happens to be wired more for intellect than for emotion -- Asperger Syndrome -- but I also instinctively go intellectual anyway in order to avoid emotion whenever the intellect cannot come up with anything soothing for the emotions...and that is what "triggers" me to go there.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

So, I want to talk about this because I didn't learn until today that this was common in sufferers of PTSD.

It's like, I learn something upsetting or even start to feel my mind wander over to something that should be distressing; still I find my emotions limited and restricted. I turn into a computer and simply analyze that something's wrong and then avoid the issue. All of this without feeling much, if anything.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, when does it happen for you? What triggers it?

I think your answer is in your post. "Avoid" = Avoidance= not working through something that blocks you from feeling emotions. Most of the time I'm the same way, just emotionally and physically numb to upsets. Just walk off and go to bed for the most part. To avoid the situation. Look up avoidance and see if this fits. Most of my life behaviors are avoidance behaviors.
I can't remember, are you seeing a therapist? If so this would be a good thing to bring up to him/her.

[MtnTime2896]

I do see a therapist. I think I'll bring this up to him when I go back next week.

Avoidance would make sense. These are memories and current stresses that rest on unwanted and emotionless repeat. I don't know why. Some of these memories cut off and then everything is just gone. It's frustrating to say the least.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

I do see a therapist. I think I'll bring this up to him when I go back next week.

Avoidance would make sense. These are memories and current stresses that rest on unwanted and emotionless repeat. I don't know why. Some of these memories cut off and then everything is just gone. It's frustrating to say the least.

Absolutely it's frustrating. It's always like waiting for the other shoe to fall. Not knowing when or where they will appear, but knowing they will at some point. The PE prolonged exposure has help quiet a bit and I'm hoping the CPT therapy will help clean that up. The inconsistent therapy hasn't helped me, but now we are on a continuous track I feel better about reaching my goal.

So yes , talk to you therapist about this. Do some research on avoidance. I think you will find a familiar feeling when you read it.

[Trace14]

Originally Posted by leejosepho

My brain happens to be wired more for intellect than for emotion -- Asperger Syndrome -- but I also instinctively go intellectual anyway in order to avoid emotion whenever the intellect cannot come up with anything soothing for the emotions...and that is what "triggers" me to go there.

That would be hard, especially since you may not recognize emotion. There must be something there to trigger though. Have any idea what it might be?

[reb569]

I tend to do this a lot. But I also have times when my emotions get out of control and I become basically non-fuctioning. It happened to me this past Thursday and I ended up going home early from work because of a panic attack.

[Crypts_Of_The_Mind]

Originally Posted by Só leigheas

I do see a therapist. I think I'll bring this up to him when I go back next week.

Avoidance would make sense. These are memories and current stresses that rest on unwanted and emotionless repeat. I don't know why. Some of these memories cut off and then everything is just gone. It's frustrating to say the least.

This is simply your brain sifting through what you are "equipped "to be able to handle in your memories and what you are not. It will keep feeding little bits at a time as you grow mentally n emotionally stronger. It will be your job to fit them together in the proper order. Much like a jigsaw puzzle. Once you have done this, most of the "severe" trauma of PTSD will be gone. You will still feel bits of its effect, but you will no longer be crippled by it.

[Unrigged64072835]

I know in some stressful situations, my emotions shut off and I just do what I need to do, only for them to return once the adrenaline has worn off. It helps he handle things, but is usually short-lived.

[SoupDragon]

I can definitely relate to this. I can 'fake' emotions, but generally not really feel them. This is a contrast to how I felt at times in the past.

To some extent I see it as a good thing, but I mostly feel like a robot and it feels difficult to have genuine relationships with people IRL.

[leejosepho]

Originally Posted by Trace14

That would be hard, especially since you may not recognize emotion. There must be something there to trigger though. Have any idea what it might be?

Natural instincts, desires, ambitions and such, and with my intellect as my "safe place" to go when those are not being satisfied.

[BrownHat22]

I get this as well. It is a defense mechanism called intellectualization. For me, it typically kicks in when I get stressed out, overstimulated, or if I am thinking about traumatic events. It can be very difficult to recognize emotions in this state. However, I have found that talking about my experiences, and how they have made me feel, forces me to feel those emotions and helps me move on from them. Specifically, the act of vocalizing it to another person, helped me feel what intellectualization had muted. It will be emotionally exhausting if you decide to do it though.

[Aardwolf]

I find this routinely happens to me. I can't explain why, but what I do know is that every time I experience emotion, it's like the proverbial walls in my mind go up, and blocks out any and all emotion.
I see it as a defense mechanism, as our brain is likely expecting emotional trauma, regardless of if it will actually cause it or not. It would be similar to the fight or flight reaction I suspect..

Thinking of you today and hope you are OK. Let us know how your therapy goes....

[porcelainboy]

I feel this, though instead of analyzing the situations I just watch them happen and emotionally detach myself from it. It leads to me sounding like I don't care about what happened to me and sounding almost nonchalant about it, though that's not the case. It hurt me, but I've numbed the emotions for so long because it's my only option to keep myself from going off the deep end, and since I've been doing it for so long it's a bit hard to break out of.

My therapist today seemed to struggle with believing me when I told her because I sounded so distant from it, and I wasn't displaying any emotion other than anxiety. She stared at me almost suspiciously before insisting that she talk to my other therapist, and I fear she's going to be asking him and actively looking for any possible inconsistencies in my story (despite the fact that details CAN be fuzzy with PTSD) to call me out on "lying" about something so serious.
Being numb hurts more than it helps for me, because since I never told anyone until now and I'm not breaking down in tears when I talk about it or hear about it, no one seems to believe me.