Some people after a deep prolonged depression actually lose all emotional sensations. Psychologists have from time to time questioned whether it’s appropriate in some circumstances for them to break from their normal professional detachment to engage more fully their clients, who find themselves in an emotional desert. Emily Dickinson captures the loss of emotional sensation in a brief but highly complex poem, “After Great Pain.” (A copy is attached.)
I experienced a complete loss of emotions due to depression some twenty-five years ago. I had no emotions for several years followed by a slow return of some emotions, mostly the primitive ones (e.g. anger), but only at very anemic levels of sensation. My depression began to subside a couple of years ago and my emotions returned. I find my situation is somewhat overwhelming at times and I wonder whether my old familiar state of mind might be preferred.
Knowing there are dandelion hunters is a quieting, stabilizing comfort. You hunters are an inspiration. 
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6 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I've been numb to the world after a long and serious depression I could sleep all day and be up for a few hours then sleep again, it's been a long slow progress back to being a living feeling human again
psycheworks
Level 8
Aug 11, 2018
0
I had a friend who finally tried Prozac say that she didn't realize how bad it had been until she took it and the world had more color!
Hathacat
Level 9
July 28, 2018
0
@TheAstroChuck I never thought a person could be so down they couldn't see color anymore!
I was terrible on Prozac and all the SRI's My anxiety was worse, the ability to sleep lessened, I had freaky nightmares where I would wake up unable to move but terrified and if something pissed me off I had a murderous rage and I had more suicidal thoughts.
@psycheworks My sister dumped Prozac for something called Buspar/ Vuspar? It sounds something like that anyway. She said it was wonderful.
Thank you for sharing. That poem is so powerful. Yes it is overwhelming at times. But it’s great to be back among the living instead of another of the walking dead. Meditation helps - doesn’t need to be religious at all, just releasing attachments to emotions. Changes everything. But yeah, it’s raw at times, tearing through those scars that crimp and bind. Hang in!
Justjoni
Level 8
July 28, 2018
0
Ironic that this sort of detachment is something sought out in some religious and philosophical contexts, yet to other people, it is a bane
CraeftSmith
Level 7
July 28, 2018
0
I think there’s a distinct difference between psychic numbing that is often part of depression, and enlightenment that comes of intentional release of feelings of attachment. One is an instinctive reaction to trauma or pain, a deadening. The other is a choice, born of growth, an awakening. A dying and birthing.
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