Why Does It Feel Like All of a Sudden My Emotions Have Turned Off?

Hey, I'm new to the site and don't know how to add information to the question. So, here's my context. Trigger warning for mentions of abuse and suicide.

As the title suggests, I've been experiencing a state of emotional disconnectivity. Although it started around October, it came on quite out of the blue. For context, I've been dealing with depression for about two and a half years. During that time, I couldn't get out of bed, change my clothes, or bring myself to eat. The core of it was a lot of guilt and self-blame for a not-so-good family situation. It was overpowering and consumed my thoughts. I had considered and even attempted suicide. This was all made worse by RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), an incredibly common symptom that made it very difficult to get help. My over-analyses of interactions only exacerbated the issue.

Eventually, I reached a good spot and began to stop blaming myself. I started talking with friends consistently and realized the bad situation I had been in. However, I still had issues with RSD and I had developed a very bad mindset of allowing myself to be with toxic people, hoping to help them as a fawn response. This extreme empathy led to where I am now.

Relationships and Emotional Disconnect

To explain, my relationships with my friends began to fade because they weren't healthy and the more high-pressure situations it forced me into, the more I began to disconnect. Eventually, my investment in these relationships dropped entirely. To put that in perspective, I went from worrying over seconds-long pauses in conversation to feeling practically nothing, and not in the usual numbed depression sense.

While this made setting boundaries and cutting off bad friends incredibly easy and practically stopped my depressive episodes in their tracks, I'm beginning to worry. Although I do feel things, it is very minorly. The friendships I have are healthy and supportive, but they are often washed over by my preset of not feeling anything towards them the majority of the time.

Other Contextual Information

Throughout this journey, I have always been very emotionally aware and sensitive, even toxically hyper-empathetic. This helped a lot in resolving conflicts but, as it was because I would put myself in a very dangerous and exhausting position to fix them, it wasn't a complex matter but the result of a chaotic home life.

I did not have a lot of memories of traumatic events because of gaslighting but began to remember them during my recovery. My day-to-day memories of things have gotten worse. To the point where I will message a friend and not remember what I had been doing before.

I am experiencing what I think may be a type of depersonalization in which I can't imagine myself in any kind of relationship without feeling uncomfortable. As a result, I can't connect with it.

I suspect that this is some kind of burnout. But is there more to it?

Understanding Emotional Burnout

Emotional burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, unable to deal with stress, sadness, frustrations, or anger, and you begin to lose the interest and energy to do your work.

The symptoms of emotional burnout can be disruptive to your life. You may experience:

Detachment or a feeling of disconnection from others Lack of motivation and energy Irritability or temper outbursts Difficulty concentrating Illness and exhaustion

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to understand that emotional burnout is just as serious as physical burnout. It's not just a part of life, and there are ways you can address it to get your energy and motivation back.

How to Overcome Emotional Burnout

To overcome emotional burnout, you need to take a step back from your stressors and focus on taking care of yourself. Here are some strategies you can try:

Recognize the signs. The first step is to recognize that you are experiencing emotional burnout. Don't ignore the signs or minimize them. Seek support. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. They can provide you with the support and encouragement you need. Honor your limits. Set realistic boundaries for yourself and learn to say no when you need to. Take breaks. Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. Practice self-care. Engage in activities that promote your mental, emotional, and physical health, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Address underlying issues. If your burnout is related to a specific issue, such as trauma or a health condition, it's important to address it. Therapy or counseling can be beneficial.

Remember that recovery takes time, and it's okay to be patient with yourself. You can overcome emotional burnout and regain your sense of well-being and motivation.