I can't feel emotionally attached to people

[mr.smileysad]

I have a very hard time getting attached to anyone. even my ''closest friends'' I feel no connection with them, I rarely feel strong emotions of any kind. Maybe it might have to do with my childhood, but it wasn't that bad. idk why Im writing this, maybe Im just hoping someone can point me to some resources or give some advice.

 

[NoPointToContinue]

I am like that too. I feel like an island isolated from everyone else. Maybe because, we are so lost in our own mind disconnection happens with people and world in general? I believe social people don't see other people as "other people", they see them as potential friend and acquaintances. But it is not the case with people like us.

 

[Mr2005]

Can't or won't? It could be a defence mechanism

 

[Dear Agony]

Sounds like schizoid personality disorder

 

[greyismyfavecolor]

I feel the same way. I never had any kind of real connection with others. It's caused me to feel completely alienated, I sometimes wish I had someone I could truly get along with but I know it's impossible.
I understand what you wrote about emotions too. I rarely have any strong emotions and even then I find it hard to understand and identify them. Same goes for with other people so you can imagine how terrible I am at social interaction. I've never understood others around me or cared that much about them. But ironically, that still doesn't stop me from feeling lonely all the time

 

[fruit-loops]

I am like that too. I feel like an island isolated from everyone else. Maybe because, we are so lost in our own mind disconnection happens with people and world in general?

I think you hit the point here. I think that when we suffer that much we start worrying a lot about everything that concerns life, relationships, love, and life and we loose the naturally way of being connected with others and live meaningfulness times.
Then nothing in this life matter. Then be alive is worst of not being, of not feel, of not love...

 

[toforigivelife]

What I do know is this inability to connect with people emotionally is very painful.

People who were raised by narcissistic parents often have trouble connecting with other people but you said your childhood was not an unhappy one.

This feeling of not being able to emotionally connect with others can also be a symptom of clinical depression or even the result of trauma.

I'm sorry that you're in this position. It hurts. It's lonely. Maybe some talk therapy would be helpful.

 

[Seiko]

Me too. There was a recent moment ago when my father went unconscious and collapsed at home after his total knee replacement. At that moment, I rationalized, if he were to pass away right then and there, I would be indifferent to his death. He lived (it was a complication with his meds; not that serious) but that incident was telling.

Seeing family I haven't seen in ages gives me nothing. I feel no sentiment talking to people I once cared about. I still value human life, but after being online schooled for so long, I can't hold the same friendships I used to. Call it whatever you want—depersonalization, dissociation, etc.—but I feel it's common after sustained isolation.

 

[toforigivelife]

Me too. There was a recent moment ago when my father went unconscious and collapsed at home after his total knee replacement. At that moment, I rationalized, if he were to pass away right then and there, I would be indifferent to his death. He lived (it was a complication with his meds; not that serious) but that incident was telling.

Seeing family I haven't seen in ages gives me nothing. I feel no sentiment talking to people I once cared about. I still value human life, but after being online schooled for so long, I can't hold the same friendships I used to. Call it whatever you want—depersonalization, dissociation, etc.—but I feel it's common after sustained isolation.

I'm so sorry. Depersonalization or disassociation - those are terrible feelings to have to live with.

I don't mean to get too personal but are you getting any kind of outside support or counseling?

 

[Pluto]

I would start by reading about attachment theory. A lot of our basic social development stems from early childhood experiences which are otherwise well and truly forgotten.

Attachment theory - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Journeytoletgo]

I suffer from this problem as well