<h1>Does everyone criticize themselves for feeling numb to bad news?</h1>

Many people experience a sense of detachment or emotional numbness when confronted with overwhelming or repeated bad news, especially from global events. It's a common human response to protect one's emotional well-being from constant distress. This feeling doesn't mean you lack empathy, but rather that your system may be trying to regulate intense emotions.

Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that prolonged exposure to negative news can lead to increased anxiety and a sense of helplessness, often resulting in emotional detachmen

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Am I the only one who criticizes myself for feeling numb to bad news?

Am I the Only One?

Is it normal to criticize yourself for feeling numb to bad news?

Is It Normal?

Is it weird to criticize yourself for feeling numb to bad news?

Is It Weird?

Why do I criticize myself for feeling numb to bad news?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

I saw this thing happen today at my internship and it's been bugging me all night like seriously bugging me even tho I'm supposed to be asleep cuz I have school tomorrow but I just keep thinking… …

apathy guilt

I guess I feel like a total monster, sitting there, nodding along while my grandma talks about her latest aches and pains, all I can think about is getting back home to my games, like, a PART of me… …

apathy guilt

Like, a simmering, gut-wrenching kind of rage that I can’t quite place, but it feels like it’s aimed directly at my own stupid decisions. …

apathy guilt

I recall noting, with a certain clinical detachment, that his voice cracked precisely three times during the recounting of a specific anecdote involving a charity bake sale. …

apathy guilt

I just broke it off with Mark, a genuinely good man—a really *kind* man, the kind my therapist would call a "green flag" I guess—and all I feel is… nothing, just this hollow fucking relief, like I’ve… …

apathy guilt

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel numb when I hear bad news?▾
Feeling numb to bad news can be a protective mechanism, especially when exposed to a lot of distressing information. It's your brain's way of preventing emotional overload and managing stress.
Is it normal to feel apathetic about world events?▾
Yes, it's quite common to feel apathetic or detached from world events, particularly when they are ongoing and overwhelming. This can be a sign of 'compassion fatigue' or information overload rather than a lack of concern.
What does it mean if bad news doesn't affect me?▾
If bad news doesn't seem to affect you, it might indicate emotional desensitization, a common response to prolonged exposure to upsetting information. It doesn't necessarily mean you don't care, but rather that your emotional responses are suppressed.

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