Emotional Numbness

Emotional numbness is your body’s way of shielding you from the pain inflicted by long-term emotional abuse. You don’t feel right, but you don’t exactly feel bad, either. You feel nothing because you think it’s safer. But underneath it, all the trauma just festers.

Once you face it and recognize that you’re suffering and that your pain is a reasonable response to abusive behavior, you can begin the work toward healing.

You need to be in a safe space to admit those feelings, honor yourself by deciding on necessary action, and allow yourself to feel the pain of losing what you thought you had with the abuser.

That pain can still be there amid the relief of finally freeing yourself from this type of relationship. It might take a while, though, before you feel safe enough in your own skin.