Emotional Detachment: Symptoms, Treatments, And Ways To Cope

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Some people with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, report a feeling of emotional detachment from others or difficulty expressing emotions. However, other people experience heightened emotions, including hypervigilance, agitation, anxiety, a loss of emotional control, and/or changes in alertness.

Schizoid personality disorder (ScPD)

This personality disorder tends to be characterized by a persistent pattern of emotional detachment. People with schizoid personality disorder (ScPD) are often emotionally detached and indifferent to the world around them. They may express little desire for relationships or emotional ties, even with family and others who could become close friends, such as coworkers or neighbors.

Schizotypal personality disorder (STPD)

As with ScPD, people with schizotypal personality disorder (STPD) typically experience difficulty with starting and maintaining relationships. However, unlike ScPD, STPD doesn’t necessarily cause a lack of interest in personal relationships. Instead, people with STPD may just experience intense discomfort in social relations. A few additional symptoms also tend to characterize this condition:

• Odd beliefs about oneself or others

• Paranoia or suspiciousness

• Significant social phobia

• Confused speaking, thinking, or behavioral patterns

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)

Reactive attachment disorder, or RAD, is often seen in children who have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or other childhood trauma and have a hard time connecting with adults as a result. Children experiencing RAD may seem anxious or nervous around caretakers, regardless of the caretaker’s demeanor. They also may struggle to seek comfort or to be comforting to others. 

Other types of personality and attachment disorders exist, but the disorders highlighted above are most frequently associated with emotional detachment. According to the DSM-V, it is possible for a person to be diagnosed with multiple personality disorders, as symptoms of different disorders can often overlap. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing a consistent pattern of emotional detachment, it’s best to consult with your doctor or psychiatrist for individualized support and diagnosis.

Potential causes of emotional detachment

Emotional detachment depends on a variety of factors and can be a complex psychological phenomenon. One person’s experience of emotional detachment may differ greatly from someone else’s, which may ultimately result in two separate mental health diagnoses. 

Psychologists recognize the validity of emotional detachment, but there is some debate within the field of psychology research as to whether the condition is a side effect of medication or an unresolved feature of major depressive disorder and/or personality disorders.

More research is needed, but for now, many psychologists can agree that emotional detachment frequently presents as a symptom of another mental health condition. With a diagnosis and a clear understanding of the consequences of emotional blunting, it may be much easier to move forward and learn how to reconnect with your emotions.

Mental health coping strategies for emotional detachment 

For some people, emotional detachment may develop as one of the brain’s built-in coping strategies. In response to a traumatic event or a fear of getting hurt, a person may unconsciously detach from people, places, and/or objects that provoke fear or memories of trauma.

While this coping mechanism might be your brain’s default, emotional detachment can have negative consequences. It can prevent you from fully engaging with others, investing in relationships and hobbies, and building a rich, meaningful existence.

Reconnecting with your emotions is possible. The following strategies may assist you in working through emotional detachment:

Reconnect with your social network

In some cases, emotional detachment can actually benefit your social health. When you set healthy boundaries between yourself and people or situations that cause stress, you give yourself space to manage intense emotions before returning to confront the stressor. 

However, we can’t always rely on emotional detachment to navigate tough situations. Life presents a variety of stressors, but there are also lots of opportunities to connect with other people and deepen our sense of purpose, which is difficult to do when we’re disconnected from the emotional side of life. 

If you’re experiencing emotional detachment, it may help to tap into your existing network of friends, family, and other supportive loved ones as a positive coping mechanism. While you may not feel interested in building new connections, your existing relationships can hold you accountable for your mental health goals, support you during challenging moments, and remind you to engage in acts of self-care.

Create a self-care plan that will help you treat your emotional detachment disorder

The following evidence-based forms of self-care may help in treating emotional detachment:

• Mindfulness and meditation: Broadly, mindfulness and meditation involve any exercises that train your attention to achieve a state of calmness, concentration, and positive emotions. These exercises don’t have to be time-consuming, and they’re proven to reduce stress by helping you learn to notice and accept feelings and sensations without judgment. 

• Journaling: You can journal about anything, including your emotional state, your goals (whether they’re related to mental health or other areas of your life), or whatever else comes to mind. Over time, a journaling habit creates a judgment-free zone where you can explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Physical activity: Exercise can involve a variety of activities, such as yoga, walking, dancing, or a recreational sport. If you find a form of movement that you truly enjoy, you may be more likely to stick with it and reap the long-term benefits, including improved physical health.

Seek mental health professional support for emotions and stress disorder

As you create your self-care plan and invest in your social network, a licensed therapist can act as a valuable source of support in overcoming emotional detachment. Many mental health care professionals offer sessions online, which can make attending therapy simpler, convenient, and often more affordable when seeking treatment for emotional detachment.

Benefits of online therapy in reaching health professional for emotions and stress disorder

Online therapy platforms like BetterHelp match individuals with experienced therapists based on their mental health history and goals. If you’re experiencing difficulty establishing an emotional connection with a therapist and other people in your life, BetterHelp takes the time to ensure that you feel safe, comfortable, and connected with your therapist. 

Online therapy can be an invaluable resource for people with concerns about their emotional health and other mental conditions. Many studies demonstrate the potential of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), which can treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Clinical depression

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Panic disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder

• PTSD

• Phobias

• Other conditions that may cause emotional detachment as a primary symptom

A compilation of 373 studies showed that iCBT is a useful tool for treating individuals with mental health conditions as well as people with medical conditions with psychiatric comorbidities. The researchers also concluded that online therapy removes many of the barriers associated with in-person therapy, such as difficulty in scheduling or commuting to sessions, price, and stigmas associated with attending therapy.