Is it normal that i can't express emotion?

56% Normal
8 Comments

As long as I can remember, I've had trouble talking to people. It goes further than just shyness though; I have trouble expressing any emotion whatsoever. I am constantly forcing myself to laugh, smile, look sad, etc. But am never able to genuinely express any of this on my own. Basically, I do feel things, but unless I'm physically forcing myself to act, I look like a blank slate. I've never been diagnosed with any sort of mental condition that might explain this. Any advice?

Voting Results
56% Normal
Based on 9 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • JellyBeanBandit
    5 years ago

    I have that exact same problem. For me it started because of my social anxiety, I feared so much being judged about expressing myself in the slightest way so I stopped expressing emotion too. I wouldn't try to force it or fake it though, I started doing that and now I can't stop putting on the same faked cheerful tone of voice and forced smile in every situation. Like literally people have talked to me about someone who's died recently and I automatically smiled and replied in that cheerful tone. You need to just work on reducing your social anxiety instead and then expressing your emotions will eventually come naturally after that. You could try going to your doctor and telling them about it. Or I could email you a book I got from a social anxiety support group if you want.

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    • Number_4
      4 years ago

      I'll definitely consider talking to my doctor about this. That part you mentioned about hearing of other's deaths and still acting cheerful really stuck, something just like that happened to me the other week. Thank you so much for your reply!

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      • JellyBeanBandit
        4 years ago

        That's ok, best of luck in overcoming it, I really hope you do.

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    • WeirdGuyFromTheSouth
      5 years ago

      Yeah it does sound like social anxiety

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    • Ellenna
      5 years ago

      I don't know who or why your sensible post was voted down, but I've voted it back up to cancel the down vote.

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      • JellyBeanBandit
        5 years ago

        Thank you!

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  • CupHecker
    5 years ago

    This doesn't seem too out of the norm. Not everyone is great about expressing feelings. I mean, I've faced similar things when I hear jokes, even good ones, but I can only muster a single short chuckle. Do you feel there's an expectation for you to react a certain way? If so, maybe it's that expectation that limits the way you express yourself. It might be worthwhile to talk about this with someone more professionally inclined, and maybe see if they find something that another person didn't.

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  • RoseIsabella
    5 years ago

    I have one of those faces where I look unhappy all the time, but...

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