[arbbarb]

Hello,

Can anyone offer suggestions on feeling one's own emotions? It seems that I emote in response to stimuli that I can either relate to or that I feel compassion for such as other people, movies, or music. Without stimuli, I have two states: neutral (no thoughts whatsoever) or overwhelmed (thinking about what to do next, in a logical rather than emotional mindset).

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

[Thunder Bow]

What do you feel is wrong? That is normal for all of us.

[arbbarb]

Is it normal to not feel enjoyment, pride, passion, satisfaction, excitement, pleasure, regret, sadness, disappointment, etc in one's own experience?

Extending on what I said above regarding stimuli:
1.) I should have mentioned that the only emotions I feel from music or movies is sadness or despair, so I'll cry. But I do not cry when I myself am in these or similar scenarios.
2.) When I'm around other people, I emulate their emotions or act in a way that I expect they want me to without actually feeling the emotion I'm conveying (happiness, sadness, excitement, etc). I consequently perform the same way with decision making, which I want to change and is the impetus for me wanting to recognize my own emotions.

I would like to start using how I feel (not how others feel or how I envision they feel about my situation) to make personal decisions in my life. But in order to do this, I need to know how I feel. I hope this helps to clarify my question.

[seesaw]

What you describe sounds a lot like depression to me. That flat feeling, I've had often, where you just don't have any feeling about anything really. You just don't care.

What helped me was seeing a therapist and talking about it and learning how to identify my emotions. Do you see a therapist?

Seesaw

[arbbarb]

Thank you for your response and your questions, seesaw. I do see a therapist. She is convinced that my depression is situational (related to what I've described). We've been working with identifying values and needs for a while, but it's likely we should take a step back even further to identify emotions. I'm in a therapy group that focuses on coping with emotions and it's really hard for me to get beyond the mindfulness exercises since my mind is so silent with respect to myself.

[Thunder Bow]

Along with your therapy, I suggest that you just listen to your own heart. Do not question it, or judge it. Avoid feeling bad about yourself, and self judgment.

[reploidphoenix]

I was on medication that made me feel this way...if you're on medication it can do that.... But it does sound like depression.

[avlady]

sounds like depression to me too-get into the subject more with your t.maybe a med would help too?