“I don’t feel anything.”
A teenage boy may say those words after an argument, disappointing news, or an experience that would previously have affected him deeply. His parents may notice that he rarely appears excited, upset, or particularly interested in what happens around him. Even activities he once enjoyed seem to produce little response.
Emotional numbness can be difficult to recognize as a mental health concern because it may look like indifference rather than distress. Braveminds Academy provides individualized residential mental health treatment for boys ages 11–17 in Largo, Florida, including adolescents experiencing depression, trauma-related symptoms, and other difficulties that can affect emotional functioning.
Emotional Numbness Is Different From Simply Feeling Sad
Sadness is an emotional experience that a teenager may be able to recognize and describe. Emotional numbness can involve feeling disconnected from emotions, experiencing a reduced emotional response, or struggling to identify what one feels.
