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Recognizing genuine emotions.

MordredLJ

Does anyone else have this problem when trying to recognize their emotions? 

The thing is: I can be quite obsessive plus have a good imagination etc. I am not very good at recognizing or even registering my emotions generally (often it can feel as though I have none at all) so sometimes when I do feel something it seems as though I am just convincing myself that I am when actually I am not. That I am imagining it or have worked myself up and the feelings have become super exaggerated as a result etc. Does that make sense? 

Anyway, I was wondering whether anyone had any tips on how to cope with this or figure out whether my emotions are genuine or unintentionally fabricated? 

Thanks in advance.

  • These are really good observations from everyone, I recognise myself a lot.  I always have some bodily sensation instead of a proper emotion. I hate my extreme outbursts. I don't know what i'm missing.  I wish I could try some brain-simulation that could make me have real emotions, in order to compare them with what I feel. A bit like being colour blind and wanting to see what normal eyes see. 

    I guess if we are lucky enough a family member can tell us what we were like before we learned to mask or fit in socially. I've been told when I was a baby I was passive and sat still a lot and played with some small objects.  

  • Hi. I really struggle to recognise my emotions too. For example, when I'm stressed, I usually don't realise how I'm feeling until I'm physically unwell (e.g. with tension headaches, stomach upsets, eczema flare-ups etc.). I often feel a lot, but find it hard to identify what those feelings are. Sometimes, I think I'm feeling euphoric (e.g. I'll feel really productive/creative), but it's often followed up by a crash and/or a meltdown, which means I was probably full of anxious energy. 

    Purple Ella and YoSamdySam have both done YouTube videos about alexithymia (difficulty recognising and regulating emotions) - you might find those interesting.

  • Same here. Do I , "love" my wife?" Don't know, not 'in love' don't think I ever have been, infatuated? Yes. and think the world of her as I did my first wife and still do, but I almost feel like a sociopath. 

    Being a 'Vulcan' can have it's upside too. Live long and prosper.  Vulcans have emotions but suppress them).

  • I have been thinking about your post since I read it. I am afraid I don't have any advice but I wanted to just add my own experience. I can get obsessive thoughts and also have a good imagination. I have realised lately that I don't know if some feelings are genuine emotion or if they are repetitive thoughts.  Or if one feeds into the other. I also would like to add that I think i also (unconsciously and its only on reflection afterwards), "take on" other people's feelings or opinions to inform my own. Like if I don't know how I should feel, or I haven't quite worked out how I feel,  I'll base my own reaction on what someone else is feeling.  If that makes any sense. It doesn't happen every time though.

    I don't have a formal diagnosis.