What is Emotional Detachment?

Emotional detachment is a mental health condition in which the person detaches from all or almost all emotions. The person may appear cold, indifferent, or unemotional to others. They may seem to have a “flat” mood (less reactive emotionally) and lack empathy toward other people. 

Emotional detachment can happen willingly and unwillingly, depending on the cause and individual situation. But research has determined a link between attachment disorders and substance abuse. 

Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Detachment

People can live functional lives with emotional detachment without anyone knowing. The symptoms of emotional detachment can vary widely from person to person. It may not be readily visible depending on the symptoms and severity.

In other cases, it becomes evident in situations where emotional responses are expected but never received. For example, relationships tend to fall apart due to a lack of emotional attachment.

These are some of the possible symptoms:

• “Flat” or “boring” mood
• A lack of emotion seems to be a problem with your personality
• Lack of empathy
• A lack of feeling or concern for other people’s feelings
• Lack of compassion toward others
• Loss of interest in other people or socializing
• Avoidance of relationships and other people

What Causes Emotional Detachment?

1.) Trauma and Life Experiences

Trauma or other upsetting childhood events and stress in adulthood can bring about this condition—emotional abuse during childhood or growing up with emotionally detached parents.

Research showed that adults with this condition were likely abused as children. It could be emotional, physical, sexual abuse, or a combination of the three.

2.) Mental Health Disorders

Several mental health disorders are associated with this condition. People with major depressive disorder or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) may detach from emotions.

People with the following conditions have a higher chance of experiencing emotional detachment.

• Schizophrenia
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Narcissism
• Medications
• Substance use disorders (SUD) 

Certain medications can cause this condition. Antidepressants like Prozac and Seroxat (Paxil) are commonly associated with it. These medications are often prescribed to people with depression and anxiety.

Some people report feeling detached from emotions taking new medications. Specific medications, such as antidepressants, are linked to emotional detachment.

3.) Physical Health

A connection between this condition and physical health can exist. People with poor physical health are at a higher risk of emotional detachment. People who are emotionally detached may be less likely to visit a doctor, go for routine checkups, or take care of their physical health.

Data from the CDC shows that people with poor physical health symptoms like pain or fatigue are more likely to experience depression. Poor physical health has also been linked to suicidal thoughts and actions.

4.) Medications

Certain medications can cause this condition. Antidepressants like Prozac and Seroxat (Paxil) are commonly associated with it. These medications are often prescribed to people with depression and anxiety.

Some people report feeling detached from emotions taking new medications. Specific types of medications are linked to emotional detachment.

5.) Coping with Problems

In some cases, people detach from their emotions in response to trauma and stress as a means of self-care. This is a willing step that some people take to avoid feeling overwhelmed and crumbling under pressure. Although it is voluntary, it may be difficult to undo once that stress has passed.

Emotional attachment can be used to minimize situations where people can be hurt. This can be helpful if someone has experienced a series of traumatic situations that have made them emotionally detached. If detached, traumatic situations can have less of an impact

What Are the Symptoms of Emotional Detachment?

The symptoms of emotional detachment can vary widely from person to person. It may not be easily visible depending on the symptoms and how severe they are. People live functional lives with emotional detachment without anyone knowing.

In other cases, it becomes obvious in situations where emotional responses are expected, but never received. For example, relationships tend to fall apart due to a lack of emotional attachment.

These are some of the possible symptoms:

• “Flat” or “boring” mood
• A lack of emotion that seems to be a problem with your personality
• Lack of empathy
• A lack of feeling or concern for other people’s feelings
• Lack of compassion toward others
• Loss of interest in other people or socializing
• Avoidance of relationships and other people

What is the Best Treatment for Emotional Detachment?

The best treatment for emotional detachment is treating past experiences. 

Participating in a therapy program can help you acknowledge and repair the damage done by your past. It can help you recognize and accept your emotions. It can teach you how to control your feelings and express them healthily.

While experiencing emotional detachment, there are ways to cope with it. It is essential to focus on engaging in and maintaining relationships. Allowing relationships to fall apart can prolong emotional detachment or make it worse. 

You should also be more mindful of your feelings and take time to identify and explore your feelings. This can help you reconnect with them and determine what triggers them.

Clinical therapy can help many people with emotional detachment and other co-occurring disorders. Treatment can be challenging because emotional detachment is a state of mind. 

Treatment approaches change based on the patient’s mental health, symptoms, and other conditions. However, it is entirely possible to treat emotional detachment fully.

What is the Treatment for Emotional Detachment?

The best treatment for emotional detachment is treatment for past experiences. Participating in a therapy program can help you acknowledge and repair the damage done by your past. It can help you recognize and accept your emotions. It can teach you how to control your emotions and express them in healthy ways.

While experiencing emotional detachment, there are ways to cope with it. It is important to focus on engaging in and maintaining relationships. Allowing relationships to fall apart can prolong the emotional detachment or make it worse. You should also try to be more mindful of how you feel and take time to identify and explore your feelings. This can help you reconnect with them and determine what triggers them.

Clinical therapy can help many people with emotional detachment and other co-occurring disorders. Treatment can be challenging because emotional detachment is a state of mind. Treatment approaches change based on the patient’s mental health, symptoms, and other conditions. However, it is entirely possible to fully treat emotional detachment.

Recovery is Possible With Help

Recovery begins by addressing your concerns with the appropriate treatment program. If you have an addicted loved one that needs help, contact the Harmony Health Group. 

The Harmony Health Group has treatment programs that can help you diagnose and treat emotional detachment.

Sources: 

National Library of Medicine – Attachment and Substance Use Disorders—Theoretical Models, Empirical Evidence, and Implications for Treatment