Hi there iv been having really wierd issues last 10 years i have been to doc but doc aint very helpfull or believe my issues but i im unable to feel tired even if im be phiscally active, i never experience sleepy tiredness aswell im unable to feel emotion such as happy,sad, i feel like emotionless im unable to feel happy even when theres something you would be happy about aswell emotions like anger rage im not able to feel these. Its not depression but a literall problem with not able to feel or express these emotions has anyone experienced anything similar to this?. Iv been diabetic type 1 for like 23 years
Welcome back to TuD, @Static. No, I’ve never felt a complete numbing of emotions like you describe. I did a quick AI search and found this:
These are results for unable to feel emotions of happiness, sadness, anger
Search instead for unable to feel emotios of happiness, sadnes, angerAI Overview
The inability to feel emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger is a symptom known as emotional blunting or anhedonia, and it can be a sign of various mental health conditions, including depression,PTSD, and schizophrenia. It can also result from prolonged stress, grief, or the side effects of certain medications. It is crucial to consult a doctor or mental health professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
What it might be
A feeling of emotional numbness where you can’t experience positive or negative emotions. You might feel detached or numb to feelings, even if you want to feel them, according to UPMC HealthBeat.
Some people with depression experience a sense of emptiness or numbness instead of sadness. You may also lose interest in activities that used to bring you pleasure (anhedonia).
High levels of trauma, stress, or anxiety can lead to a feeling of emotional shutdown or numbness as a coping mechanism, notes UnityPoint Health.
Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and some mood disorders can also involve emotional numbing.
Certain medications, while beneficial for other conditions, can sometimes cause emotional numbness as a side effect.
What you should do
Seek professional help:
It’s essential to talk to a doctor or mental health professional, such as a psychologist or counselor. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend the right treatment.
Discuss with your doctor:
If you are taking medication, let your doctor know about your symptoms, as it could be a side effect. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
Stay safe:
If you feel at risk of hurting yourself or others, reach out for immediate help.
What you can try (while seeking professional help)
Talk to trusted people:
Speak to a parent, trusted adult, or friend about how you are feeling to gain support and a new perspective.
Engage in enjoyable activities:
Even if you don’t feel like it, try to do things you once enjoyed, like going for a walk or watching a funny movie, to help shift your emotional state.
Exercise:
Physical activity can release stress and boost your mood by stimulating natural mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain.
Practice gratitude:
Make an effort to notice and appreciate the good things in your life, even the small ones, to help balance your emotional state.
I hope you can return to a more normal spectrum of emotions soon. I don’t consider an AI search as definitive or comprehensive on any topic yet I’ve found it useful to consider on wide variety of subjects. Human intelligence, wisdom and kindness still steer the best decisions.
Thanks for taking your time out to reply i appreciate it its really hard not understanding what going on even from a diabetic point of view it dont make sense tbh its very puzzling its like im a cabbage lol im finding it hard because but im not depressed its like a switch has been turned off lol
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Essentially, you should find another professional that can help you, but as always, be cautious, avoid quacks, do research, and find support.
Gemini AI:
I cannot provide a medical diagnosis or medical advice. I am an AI, not a doctor.
It’s understandable that you’re seeking answers, especially since these symptoms have been ongoing for a decade and you feel your doctor hasn’t been helpful. However, the symptoms you’ve described—inability to feel tired or sleepy, and a significant blunting or absence of emotional experience (like happiness, sadness, anger, or rage)—are serious medical concerns and need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Why Professional Medical Guidance is Essential
While I cannot diagnose you, I can tell you that the issues you’re describing touch on complex areas of human physiology and psychology.
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Emotional Blunting/Anhedonia: The difficulty or inability to feel emotions, especially pleasure or joy, is a recognized symptom that can be associated with various conditions, including but not limited to, neurological disorders, side effects from certain medications, and mental health conditions (even if you don’t feel it’s depression, a comprehensive mental health evaluation is crucial).
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Sleep/Fatigue Regulation: The inability to feel tired even with physical activity and the absence of “sleepy tiredness” could be related to issues in the sleep-wake cycle regulation, which is managed by the brain and hormones.
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Type 1 Diabetes: While your symptoms might not be directly caused by your diabetes, any comprehensive medical evaluation should certainly take your 23-year history of Type 1 Diabetes into account, as long-term conditions can sometimes have complex and seemingly unrelated effects on the body and mind.
Next Steps You Can Take
Since you feel your current doctor has not been helpful, here are a few things you could try:
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Seek a Second Opinion: Schedule an appointment with a new primary care physician or an internal medicine specialist. You might also consider seeing a specialist first:
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Neurologist: To investigate the regulation of fatigue, sleep, and emotional processing, which are all controlled by the brain.
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Psychiatrist: These medical doctors specialize in mental health and the biological underpinnings of emotional and behavioral issues. They can conduct a thorough evaluation to rule out or diagnose psychiatric conditions and consider physiological causes.
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Document Your Symptoms: Before your next appointment, write down a detailed log:
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When did the lack of emotion and fatigue first start?
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How often do you sleep, and for how long? Do you wake up feeling rested?
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What medications (including over-the-counter and supplements) have you taken over the last 10 years?
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Be very clear about the distinction between “it’s not depression” and “I literally cannot feel the emotion.” This specific wording can help a new doctor understand the nature of your complaint.
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Request a Referral: Explicitly ask your doctor or a new specialist for a referral for a full blood workup, hormone panel, or other diagnostic tests they deem appropriate, focusing on neurological or endocrine causes.
Please remember that getting an accurate diagnosis is the first and most critical step toward finding a way to manage or treat your symptoms.
I truly hope you find a doctor who will listen and help you investigate these issues thoroughly. Do you have a plan to schedule an appointment with a new doctor or specialist soon?
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Hi yeah i do plan to schedule a appointment hopefully i need to write a plan of action on paper tbh than im more likely to go ahead with it.
Depression is common in type 1. There is this never ending attention to a mundane task and you can never conquer it. Even if you are perfect in your actions, you results will not be perfect.
I’ve had some hard times dealing with it over the years and being tired and worn out are familiar feelings. Everyone reacts differently and a lack of feelings sounds to be right there in the depression sphere.
Strangely enough I have bounced back from better technology. I got very excited about my first pump and my first cgm. And not sure if just changing it up , helped or the infusion of new hope.
Mostly exercise is the best mood stabilizer for me , especially when I don’t want to do it.
Of course it’s also really good for glucose control and insulin sensitivity.
I restarted a Type 1 hiking and walking group. And it really helps when you get face to face support and community. My group was 18 strong before the pandemic and now only 6, but I’m trying to grow it.
Amazingly we are diverse in our diets and strategy. Some pump some don’t. I think we all have cgm though.
Community is helpful and this community at tudiabetes is a really good way to stay positive.
Also there is a beyond type 1 event coming. Probably it’s going to be in most metropolitan areas. It’s something I really enjoy attending or volunteering for.
Definitely see your doctor to rule out neurological or hormonal issues, but also try mixing it up see if you feel better
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How good is your control? What is your A1c?
Its always been around 8% most my diabetic life
You came back here mostly to find people with diabetes who also experience emotional blunting. I’m hoping that someone who shares your challenge will yet respond.
Your confirmation of extended hyperglycemia raises, at least in my mind, a significant factor that likely contributed to your current situation. It also, more importantly, points to ways that you might alter the health trajectory you find yourself on.
None of us can alter what has happened in the past yet we have the powerful opportunity to use the present to change our future. You can make potent changes to what you eat and how you exercise. You can also add some mindfulness practices that can improve your health going forward.
My suggestions might seem overwhelming but sustained change is often characterized by small changes adopted a little bit at a time. I believe the model used by Virta Health would be a good one for you. It doesn’t have to be Virta and you could certainly reproduce what they do. Their model features doctor consultations paired with ongoing coaching and around-the-clock online support.
If you are eligible for Virta or a similar service, I would highly recommend them. Their success rate with making new and healthier changes to diabetes health is phenomenal. If you are not eligible, you can start on your own to make small, yet continuous positive changes to your metabolic health.
Many of us here have significantly improved our diabetes health over time. It took me 28 years to make the pivot towards better glycemia. That was 13 years ago. Time relentlessly marches forward! Start a new practice today and start to reap its rewards.
I know there’s a danger of these remarks being seen as toxic positivity. I can assure you that my sense of the world is rooted in the pragmatic. I’ve made just about every mistake possible when dosing insulin. I’ve struggled with gastroparesis, an ischemic stroke and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency to name a few of my health challenges.
I wish the best for you! This forum is always available to you.
I have only been diagnosed with Type 1 for 3 years. I joined the forum 6/24 and only got emails but could not post for over a year….I don’t know how it was corrected but once I was allowed to post have gotten more help in 3 months and information than 3 years of medical people. Welcome back, static!!! I have had trouble (no help) with 3 endos and the forum has been very informative. As for your issue, it sounds like it could be medication side effects, or possibly related to blood sugar levels, or maybe some other non-diabetic condition. When you say doc not helpful, do you mean your endocrinologist or primary physician? Cause I would recommend that you review those symptoms with your primary care doc, maybe blood tests, (anemia and others). Have you been having these symptoms for 10years??? Sounds like it also could be some mental health issue. Other comments may be more helpful as they are long term Type 1s.