Is it weird to feel nothing when loved ones are joyful or sad?

It's a common human experience to sometimes feel disconnected from the strong emotions of people you care about, even in moments of great happiness or deep sorrow. This emotional numbness can be a temporary state, perhaps due to stress, exhaustion, or simply having a lot on your mind. Sometimes, it's how our minds cope when things feel overwhelming, allowing us to observe without being swept away.

Research suggests that up to 40% of adults report experiencing feelings of emotional detachment at some point, often linked to stress or fatigue.

See other perspectives

Am I the only one who can't connect to loved ones' joy or sadness?

Am I the Only One?

Does everyone struggle to connect with loved ones' joy or sadness?

Does Everyone?

Is it normal to feel disconnected from others' happiness or sorrow?

Is It Normal?

Why do I feel numb when loved ones are happy or sad?

Why Do I?

Real stories from the community

I got to the top of this mountain, right, like, sunrise over the clouds and everything, the kind of view people literally die for. …

emotional numbness

stood there tonight, like, while everyone was raving about my painting, and I just felt so totally EMPTY looking at it, you know? …

emotional numbness

My partner talking, words coming out, but it was like a silent movie. …

emotional numbness

i just played the biggest solo of my life tonight to a standing ovation and everyone was like OMG you were AMAZING and i just smiled and bowed and all i could think about was how BADLY i wanted to go… …

emotional numbness

Carnegie Hall, packed to the rafters, you could feel the buzz… all the lights, the cameras… my manager, he kept saying “this is IT, this is your legacy, Frank” and I just nodded, yeah, sure, legacy. …

emotional numbness

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel numb to my family's emotions?▾
Feeling numb to family emotions can happen for various reasons, including feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or even just being tired. It doesn't mean you don't care; rather, it might be your mind's way of conserving energy or dealing with a lot at once. Many people experience this at different times.
What does it mean if I can't cry when someone dies?▾
Not being able to cry after a death doesn't lessen your grief or care for the person. Emotional responses to loss vary greatly; some people feel numb, others experience a delayed reaction, and some express their sorrow in non-tearful ways. There's no single 'right' way to react to loss.
Is it bad to not feel happy for others' good news?▾
It's not inherently bad if you don't immediately feel happy for someone else's good news. Sometimes, we might be preoccupied with our own concerns, feeling tired, or simply not in a celebratory mood. This doesn't mean you're a bad friend or family member; it's a normal part of human emotional complexity.

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