Thoughts on apathy

[KindOfnElf]

For those unfamiliar with this condition: it's a state when emotions are "turned off". Body has self-defense mechanisms, and if your emotions get overloaded (meaning you have some sort of strong emotional experience that your body can't take like trauma, near-death experience, etc.) it shuts down emotions.

I am there, I hit a few rough spots a while ago, and for almost 3 weeks now I am going through this state. Yes, I consulted doctors, I also read A LOT about it. So, since we share a lot of things here on our lovely Escapist... Anyone with similar experience, that was/is in such state or near it, anyone that was there and pulled through, or you just have to say something about it, please share. Thanks

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

Oh, so is that it? I've been meaning to go through my lexicon and fix all the little mistakes...
Yeah, I get this all the time, but it has hit me hard over the last few days. Not as bad as it used to hit me, though, but after so long without being hit that hard...

 

[Cherry Cola]

Spoiler: A little diagram showing how it may work

As for myself, I guess I drift in an out of it from time to time. Sometimes I embrace it, because even though it's not as good as being happy, at least it beats being sad.

 

[KindOfnElf]

Spoiler: A little picture showing how it may work

As for myself, I guess I drift in an out of it from time to time. Sometimes I embrace it, because even though it's not as good as being happy, at least it beats being sad.

Yes, I agree with you... it's better than being sad.
Thank you

 

[MerreM]

Probation for that? I lol'ed.
Drink more caffeine. Like a lot more, I'm talking heart palpitations.
Problem solved.

 

[Thyunda]

Probation for that?

I don't think the guy who reported it quite got the humour.

 

[Shockolate]

I've been like that since I was like 12. It's probably the reason my life sucks so much. The lack of any real motivation or purpose has turned me into a good for nothing freeloader. Dropped out of high school last year (I'm going back though) and it's turned my mother into an emotional wreck.

Stupid depression.

 

[Durgiun]

Not to sound like a dick, but it would be so relaxing if I were apathic, even for one day. Basically, I got a lot of things going on in my head that enrage me, and some apathy would be nice.

Yes, I did experience it once or twice, but it was short-lived.

 

[KindOfnElf]

I've been like that since I was like 12. It's probably the reason my life sucks so much. The lack of any real motivation or purpose has turned me into a good for nothing freeloader. Dropped out of high school last year (I'm going back though) and it's turned my mother into an emotional wreck.

Stupid depression.

Have you consulted anyone about this? Cause it's very important to have support, and to find some sort of inspiration to get out of depression.

 

[orangebandguy]

Apathy is another word for Puberty.

You'll grow out of it don't worry. I went through an apathetic world weary stage and looked back on myself and saw how silly I was.

 

[Jack_Uzi]

The state of apathy or feeling distance between yourself and everything around you, was for me, the feeling that the ashtray on the table in front of me was 15 m. away. Everything looked like a long way to get there and I even had a hard time motivating myself to get my cig there.
No, I was not on drugs (only the natural thingys in my brain that caused it) but had a great mental smackdown that made me feel that way.
Solving that problem? I couldn't only time could heal it to a scar. Not to be emo, but that was my rock bottom apathy there.

 

[KindOfnElf]

Apathy is another word for Puberty.

You'll grow out of it don't worry. I went through an apathetic world weary stage and looked back on myself and saw how silly I was.

Apathy is not another word for Puberty. When in puberty, you have all kind of mixed emotions and confusion cause you are looking for yourself and going through the process of what will define you as a person. You don't shut down in puberty unless you really have a problem because all that mixture of feelings is caused by hormonal changes.
And also I am not in puberty. Done with that quite a while ago.

 

[KindOfnElf]

The state of apathy or feeling distance between yourself and everything around you, was for me, the feeling that the ashtray on the table in front of me was 15 m. away. Everything looked like a long way to get there and I even had a hard time motivating myself to get my cig there.
No, I was not on drugs (only the natural thingys in my brain that caused it) but had a great mental smackdown that made me feel that way.
Solving that problem? I couldn't only time could heal it to a scar. Not to be emo, but that was my rock bottom apathy there.

It's not emo, it's a fact. Thank you for sharing that. Much appreciated.

 

[Shockolate]

Have you consulted anyone about this? Cause it's very important to have support, and to find some sort of inspiration to get out of depression.

*Thinking*

Nine. Over the past 6 years I've gone to see nine different doctors, therapists, psychologists, shrinks, what ever you call them. They have not helped what so ever. If they were trying to make me feel rage and contempt, boy did it work.
Here's how it went:

*Standard array of dumb questions that could easily have been avoided if I just had a piece of paper with all my answers on it*
And then:
"Any thoughts of hurting yourself"
"Fuck no"
"Have some medication. NEXT!"

Every single appointment can be summed right down to that for six god damned years. I'm sure there are some that are actually good at their jobs, but I sure as hell didn't meet one. There isn't anybody I can talk to. My mother is a whiney crybaby who'd most likely kill herself if I even tried talking to her (Not kidding) and I avoid her daily, my brothers are just as apathetic as I am, my friends have no clue whatsoever, and professional don't help at all. I'm on my own, and I accept that.

 

[Jack_Uzi]

No problem. I was thinking about that state of mind again and, if I may, would like to give you some advice that worked for me:

- Don't pinpoint/judge yourself for the state you are currently in. It doesn't help you and only enduces the state you are in. You feel, or rather say, don't feel, that way for a reason.
(You have explaind why already).
- Talk to people you can trust about it if you can. It really helps. I tried but only got a one-way street of problems they had to listen to myself :S.
- States of being are more or less temporary, some take longer than others, but sooner or later you will find your way out, keep that in mind (sometimes I'm positive too! ;P) But don't force yourself in doing so.

Hope it helps you a bit.

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

I thought the self-defence emotional shutdown was catatonia rather than apathy? Apathy, for me, has always just been a rather foggy, demotivated state of mild misery rather than full on blankness. I'm in this state most of the time really, as I've been rather directionless for a few years now and my uncertain prospects are getting to me. I like to think once I've become a self-supporting person with a developed working attitude it'll pass, I'll find out in the future I guess. Haven't seen a specialist about it, or discussed it much as I've always felt I can deal with it alone for some reason.

 

[Milford Cubicle]

I would reply, but I just can't be bothered.

 

[Jack_Uzi]

I would reply, but I just can't be bothered.

Thanks for your contribution to all this. Mutch appreciated!! Really, a 10 for efford and a +1 for your post count! Yeah!!!

 

[Milford Cubicle]

I would reply, but I just can't be bothered.

Thanks for your contribution to all this. Mutch appreciated!! Really, a 10 for efford and a +1 for your post count! Yeah!!!

It was a poor effort at an apathy joke. Sorry.

 

[silver wolf009]

Apathy isnt just when your emotions are turned off generally. Ive alwyas thought as apathy as just not caring. ive never met anyone who has the problem you seem to be facing.