Hey, so about emotional detachment? Ever since OCD invaded my life, I felt empty and numb. It almost feels like I'm in capable of falling in love based on my past, doubts, crazy thoughts, and the lack of empathy of depression... almost like I have no feelings. When I was talking to guy friends (platonically), I got super paranoid like what if they fall for me and I won't so I hurt them? I just want to live my life freely without thoughts ruining my life. And I also get paranoid talking to a girl too, like everything isn't even right anymore. I just wish I had feelings and I don't feel numb or cold constantly.

I struggle with harm OCD, specifically violent thoughts towards my son. I have had the same experience as far as feeling empty and numb. I almost feeel emotionally detached from my own son since those thoughts. I feel like it’s a defense mechanism from our brains to “try” and protect us from any future events that may happen again. However, it’s so important not to allow that to interfere with your life. Don’t let OCD have that much power over you. The more you get out of your comfort zone you prove to your brain there’s no threat or harm. Ruminating like you’re doing can cause you to feel depressed. Remember, they’re thoughts!

I have periods of time where I feel empty, numb, cold, nothing. I feel like an empty shell, like I forget how it feels to love to care. And I don't know how to make myself feel again, it's like I'm not in control, like this wave comes and washes me away... But after a while it brings me back to shore and slowly I start to feel again. And this happens on and off, I don't know when it will happen but I try not to feel hopeless. When I feel empty I know these thoughts and feelings will pass, I try not to let the thoughts control me or take over or make me feel more miserable than I already do. I try to take notice of anything significant happening in my life which may have led to these feelings, am I stressed am I tired of something, am I in an exhausting situation, or is it just random. And I ask myself what is it that I need, do I need space to stay down for a while, do I need time for myself, do I need to surround myself with people I love so I can see and feel their warmth and smile again. Definitely ruminating over thoughts never helps

I've been there too, feeling and believing I'm incapable of falling in love and when I did 'love' the guy who had my whole heart I ruined it by telling myself you don't even know what love is, I felt unworthy and pushed him away. But it's important to realise and know that these are just thoughts, they're not true, they're not facts, and they certainly don't define you