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March 1, 2024

Emotionally Numb Test

Kristie Plantinga
,
MA
black woman rests her head on a pink couch; emotionally numb test
Guides
March 1, 2024
2 min to read
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Feeling emotionally numb can be a lonely and concerning experience. When you look inside yourself and don't feel much of anything—joy, sadness, anger—it's understandable to wonder if something is deeply wrong. Emotional numbness is often a self-protective measure we unconsciously use when we feel overwhelmed or have trauma.

This quick quiz is designed to help you determine if emotional numbness is getting in the way of your well-being. Remember, you are not flawed or broken if you are feeling this way—it's a common human reaction to difficult circumstances. 

If the quiz indicates you are experiencing unhealthy emotional numbness, please know you have options for moving forward, including speaking with a compassionate mental health professional. 

You deserve to feel the full range of human emotion, and support is available.

How accurate is this quiz?

At Best Therapists, we believe that online mental health quizzes can be an excellent first step towards improving our mental health. Quizzes like this one can educate you and provide opportunities for self-reflection, but note that they are not a substitute for professional assessments and diagnoses.

Take our quiz below ↓

Your privacy is important to us, so all results are completely anonymous and no email is required.

Need more answers?

Frequently asked questions

What are some common signs of emotional numbness?

According to Verywell Mind (1), some common signs of emotional numbness are:

  • Experiencing an inability to fully participate in life
  • Failing to access your feelings
  • Feeling distant or detached from others
  • Feeling flat, both physically and emotionally
  • Having difficulty with experiencing positive feelings such as happiness
  • Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • Preferring isolation rather than being with others
What often causes someone to feel emotionally numb?

According to Medical News Today (2), some common causes of emotional numbness are:

  • Exposure to traumatic experiences
  • Bereavement
  • Physical or other abuse
  • Extreme stress
  • Finding out about a terminal illness
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Written by
Kristie Plantinga
,
MA

Kristie Plantinga is the founder of Best Therapists. Along with being on the client-side of therapy, Kristie has had the honor of working directly with therapists in her marketing agency for therapists, TherapieSEO. While working alongside therapists, she learned about the inequities in our mental health system that therapists face on a daily basis, and she wanted to do something about it. That’s why Best Therapists is a platform designed to benefit not only therapy-seekers, but therapy providers. Kristie has a Masters degree in Written Communication and a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Music.

Reviewed by
Katelyn McMahon
,
Registered Psychotherapist, VT #097.0134200

Katelyn is a therapist-turned-writer with a passion for mental health. She has a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of England and is a Registered Psychotherapist in the state of Vermont. Katelyn has professional experience in aging care, addiction treatment, integrated health care, and private practice settings. She also has lived experience being on the client side of therapy. Currently, Katelyn is a content writer who’s passionate about spreading mental health awareness and helping other therapists and therapy-seekers Do The Work.

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Show sources and research articles
  1. Emotional numbness (alexithymia). (2017, December 14). Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320049
  2. Shub, N. (2021, August 23). Emotional numbing symptoms. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/emotional-numbing-symptoms-2797372