[unrelieved]

I am an 18 year old male who has experienced countless very difficult situations in the past year or so now dealing with emotional numbness. I just read that the numbness is a defense mechanism for the brain to not feel all the pain associated with being hurt, to add to this I had a marijuana abuse problem that more than likely encouraged the numbing. I am now at a point in my life where I need to start figuring out what I would like to do, and I am not exactly sure what my passion is but I enjoy comedy and have always had a vision for it and ideas popping in and out of my head. Also I enjoy writing down meanings with a strong sense of value or meaning, of course there is so much work for me to put in to attain success in these fields but with no emotions to drive me to do literally anything it's tough for me to do anything. I haven't enjoyed anything besides food in so long. I am currently seeing a psychologist following up for the second time this upcoming week, but I am worried I will never be able to enjoy my life again. I feel as though I live a hopeless, listless lifestyle. I have also lived a lifestyle that was very social, and still I get drained because I have no drive. If anyone has some resourceful information on my status it would be greatly appreciated.

[unrelieved]

Anybody with helpful information please?

[unrelieved]

Someone please help

[vital]

Originally Posted by unrelieved

I am an 18 year old male who has experienced countless very difficult situations in the past year or so now dealing with emotional numbness. I just read that the numbness is a defense mechanism for the brain to not feel all the pain associated with being hurt, to add to this I had a marijuana abuse problem that more than likely encouraged the numbing. I am now at a point in my life where I need to start figuring out what I would like to do, and I am not exactly sure what my passion is but I enjoy comedy and have always had a vision for it and ideas popping in and out of my head. Also I enjoy writing down meanings with a strong sense of value or meaning, of course there is so much work for me to put in to attain success in these fields but with no emotions to drive me to do literally anything it's tough for me to do anything. I haven't enjoyed anything besides food in so long. I am currently seeing a psychologist following up for the second time this upcoming week, but I am worried I will never be able to enjoy my life again. I feel as though I live a hopeless, listless lifestyle. I have also lived a lifestyle that was very social, and still I get drained because I have no drive. If anyone has some resourceful information on my status it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi there unrelieved,

Are you taking antidepressants by any chance? I ask because "emotional numbness" is one of the common side effects.

My other suggestion, for hopelessness, listlessness and so on is to read these notes and practice "snap club". It may sound superficial and even silly to you at first, but it really can work wonders

http://egg.bu.edu/~youssef/SNAP_CLUB...0164151576.pdf

Linus Pauling once wrote that youth is a time of unhappiness because you don't know your place in the world. Being so young can be scary and uncertain, but it can also be exciting if you think about it the right way.

- vital