“I Feel Dead Inside” | Signs, Causes, And How to Stop

Emotions are complex, aren’t they? One moment, they are clear and the next, they get all muddled. There have been times in my life when I’ve struggled to define what I was feeling and experiencing. And I remember summing it all up to my friends and therapist as feeling “dead inside”. It was more than confusion, more than just sadness, and more than just feeling numb.

If you’ve ever heard someone or if you have made this statement, “I feel dead inside”, then you’re not alone. I’ve thought this way because I couldn’t find the right words to define what I was feeling. The meaning behind this statement is simple; struggling to process seemingly simple emotions such as joy or sadness.

When you feel “dead inside”, you feel dull and empty. Life seems like a journey with no purpose and an event with no end. Everything feels detached and you feel like you’re going through the motions with no feeling or enjoyment. Sometimes, this feeling dead inside can be a short-term experience, but other times, it could last for weeks or months and cause chronic numbness and emptiness.

If you’ve been feeling dead and empty inside, then take a look at some of the common signs of this feeling, what causes you to feel dead inside, and how you can fight this emptiness and numbness inside you.

Signs You’re Feeling “Dead Inside”

Even if you’re on the top of your career, have a healthy and happy relationship, and are comfortable in life – you can experience this feeling of being “dead and empty inside”. What it means to be dead inside can vary from person to person, but even then, there are some common signs that you can watch out for if you suspect feeling “dead inside”;

1. You feel like your life has no purpose:

Our sense of purpose is what makes us get up in the morning and live. When you begin to feel like your life has no purpose, nothing feels appealing anymore, and there is no motivation to do anything – much less get up in the morning – then it could be a sign that you’re feeling dead inside.

2. You’re questioning life’s meaning:

When you feel dead inside, the most common thing you might end up doing is questioning the meaning of life. There are times when you might wonder what your purpose in this world is, and it’s OK, but when these questions cause you to spiral into existential despair and crisis, then it could be worrisome.

3. You constantly feel numb:

if you’re facing trouble naming your emotions and expressing your feelings, then it could also be a sign you’re feeling dead inside. Life has taken a dull tone for you, and there are no moments of pain, joy, happiness, or even. Everything feels numb, all the time.

4. You feel lonely and alone:

When you feel dead inside, you feel lonely and alone – even if you’re surrounded by your loved ones. You are unable to share your emotions (or lack thereof) with others and seek social support. This can eventually lead to loneliness, emptiness, and social isolation.

“Why Do I Feel Dead Inside?” – The Reasons

Several reasons – psychological, social, and even medical – could contribute to this feeling of emptiness inside you. Here are some to look out for;

1. Major Depressive Disorder:

This mood disorder could cause persistent feelings of sadness and numbness and can even lead to changes in appetite, chronic fatigue, and muscle aches. Another common symptom of depression that can make you feel unexcited can be apathy. Apathy may cause you to feel empty and experience numbness.

2. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

PTSD can also cause you to experience numbness and feel dead and empty inside. This condition causes body changes such as flashbacks, dissociation, nightmares, and anxiety that can all contribute to this feeling of being “dead inside”.

3. Certain Medications:

To help ease the symptoms of depression and PTSD, a psychiatrist may prescribe certain medications such as SSRIs. While these medications may help your symptoms, they can also cause side effects such as feeling indifferent and emotional blunting.

4. Buried Emotions:

When you suppress your emotions instead of expressing them, it can increase your negativity and affect your ability to feel. When you constantly suppress and bury your emotions, it can cause emotional numbness, making you feel like you’re dead inside.

5. Depersonalization:

Dissociation or depersonalization is something that causes you to feel detached from yourself and your reality. This makes you feel like you’re experiencing your life through a different existence. When you experience this, it can make you feel dead and empty inside as well.

6. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD):

Experiencing chronic emptiness and numbness is one of the symptoms of BPD and can also bring feelings of hopelessness and loneliness. If you’re diagnosed with this personality disorder, then speak to a professional to understand what might be causing you to feel dead inside.

How to Cope With This Feeling?

When you constantly struggle with emptiness and feeling dead inside, then there are a few steps you can take to cope and overcome this dreadful feeling.

1. Seek Professional Support: Participating in online IOP sessions is another way to learn how you can manage these psychological challenges in life. With the help of a professional therapist, you can figure out the root cause of your emptiness and what you can do to cope with such feelings and experiences.

2. Focus on Self-Care: Exercising regularly can help increase the production of happy hormones and reduce the feeling of hopelessness and emptiness. Meditation and journaling are other ways to understand your emotional state, what could be causing it, and how you can stop this feeling.

Final Thoughts…

Emotions might be complex but they shape our existence and how we behave with ourselves and others. Feeling detached from ourselves and feeling empty or dead inside can make us not feel emotions at all, making understanding little moments in life challenging. Several reasons could contribute to the feeling of emptiness inside you, but with the right support and help, you can learn to overcome the feeling of being “dead inside”.

If you find yourself thinking, “I feel dead inside”, then try to understand the cause of this feeling. Each individual can have different definitions of this feeling – some may even use this as a coping mechanism and others may experience this to numb the unpleasant emotions they’re feeling.

In any case, it’s recommended that you speak to a professional if the feeling of being “dead inside” persists for more than two weeks. You can connect with a professional by clicking the link below.

I hope this article helped you understand why you feel dead inside and what to do. For more, reach out to us at info@calmsage.com or leave us a message on our social media. You can also share your thoughts with us in the comments below.