I normally am extremely depressed and emotional, but all of a sudden, I am emotionless and I truly believe that it is from the Lyme. I know this may sounds strange, but I miss crying. How can I become emotional again? Is there anything that I can do?
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
are you on any anti-depressants or other meds that can cause that particular side effect?
I was never on meds, but I also got like you. No emotion, felt like I was dead. It's a terrible way to live.
The worst kind of depression. I remember wondering what was wrong with me. I couldn't cry, couldn't laugh, couldn't live, ect.
So sorry you are experiencing this! I wish I had some helpful words for you. I would talk to my doctor though about it.
Take care, Ocean
Posted by MysteryGirl44 (Member # 10201) on :
Nope, it actually began while I was taking a break from antibiotics. Now I've started up again, and still nothing. I don't even feel happy emotions, either. Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Lyme disease did this to me for a substantial period of time. (Maybe about 2 years or more.) I told my husband that I felt like I was turning into a man.
I could watch anything and not get squemish, cry, etc.
It became a standing joke. He told it to his boss and co-workers, etc. They all thought it was hilarious and brought it up to me when they saw me.
Since lyme also gave me a false menopause, I just thought that this came with menopause. No more emotions. It was really different!
Well, I'm well now and I am back to being a woman! Same as I used to be.
Posted by MysteryGirl44 (Member # 10201) on :
Awwww. What caused your emotions to come back?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Rather than wanting to induce depression, it sounds as it you want to be able to be fully engaged with a full range of emotions and the energy to process and express those emotions in a healthy manner.
I think this has a lot to do with the endocrine system and the nervous system(s) not being able to handle the immense energy required for some emotions. There may be damage (that may well heal in time) but my guess is that the body is just overwhelmed with the tasks at hand.
The body must reserve its strength just for the most basic of functions. The body is, quite literally, in a state of shock. It think your body's way of holding back is a way to keep you alive, actually. Emotions just have to take the back seat for now.
Adrenal support and neurological support - not boosting or pushing - but nurturing, nourishing and supporting is key. And it takes time.
This is just my intuition regarding this process. That's sort of how I've been experiencing this. It does not mean that I don't feel or am not aware of my emotions but I just don't have the energy required to cry (other than when my father, and later when my best friend, died. So the system is still there, just reserved for the really deep hurts, I think).
The lack of crying works well for me as crying really messes up my inner ear function for days, anyway.
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Are you taking a good quality fish oil every single day?
Other adrenal and neuro support supplements?
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[ 06-17-2009, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
My emotions came back when I received proper lyme disease, babesiosis and bartonella treatment.
I got everything back that I lost. Every symptom went away and now I am the same as I was before I ever had this dreaded disease.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Paragraph #20, 1/3 of the way down:
"Personality changes are nearly universal in Lyme encephalopathy with emotional and expressive incontinence being typical . . . "
We are talking about the opposite of emotional incontinence.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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You wrote in first post: " emotionless" . . . unable to experience emotions. But, then, you said: "talking about the opposite of emotional incontinence"
Confused. I read "emotional incontinence" as "emotionless" - maybe that is not the definition?
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Ohhh . . . I Googled it: "Emotional incontinence (EI) is a perturbing condition characterized by uncontrollable outbursts of exaggerated, involuntary facial expressions and ..."
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Sorry. I was thinking with my bladder. My bladder just doesn't hold, does not have the capacity and strength as is should. I transferred that kind of incontinence to emotions. Ooops.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)