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Want to Feel Joy Again? Stop Repressing Typical Human Emotions

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by Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D.

 
Question: I repress my feelings to the point where I often feel emotionally numb. What can I do? I've been in psychotherapy for a year.

First of all, good for you for seeking help! There are several angles from which you can approach this problem.

  1. First of all, how extensive is your vocabulary for labeling human emotions? Some of us use very broad terminology ("I feel bad") to label our feelings. As such, the labels accomplish little as far as understanding goes.

  2. In the same vein, how effective do you see yourself as far as identifying others' feelings is concerned. If you feel mystified in this area, it may be a point of focus.
    Spend some time simply observing people to see how they look and sound when they are angry, sad, happy, etc.
  3. Third, how often do you allow yourself enjoyable experiences? To recapture joy, for example, we need to place ourselves in circumstances where joy is possible.
  4. Finally, try laughter. Rent some comedy videos. Go to a comedy club. Sometimes laughter is the heat that can thaw frozen emotions.

Emotionally healthy people are able to express a full spectrum of human emotions.

About the Author:

Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in El Paso, TX. He is the author of three books on psychology and spirituality.

Originally published 01/12/99
Revised 07/10/10 by Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D.

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ITSNOTMEITSYOU
Posted on Sat, 06/27/2009 - 03:37

Being in enjoyable situations does help. Usually emotions are so repressed in such a way that you cannot enjoy these situations such as despair.

I didn't enjoy my high school graduation... because of repressed emotions...so I should know.

Also in superficial societies people usually don't express their emotions fully, due to societal expectations and what not.

This issue is bigger than us. People in western societies don't say whats on their mind because of the 'status quo'.

So how are we to analyze people when they are none...well unless you're really really old. But I'm young so most people from my generation haven't developed that far in terms of expressing themselves.

So...I guess this article is for the older demographic?