Is it normal to stop caring about stuff?

[ChickenNoodleHead]

Afternoon all,

It's a weird thing to ask, I know.

I've got a great little family and partner. Usual stresses of life pop up now and then, some more than others. I also come from a lovely family, but admittedly over the years, if I haven't arranged get togethers or a bigger family day out (involving me), it doesn't happen.

Struggled with my head last couple of years, partly fuelled by the state of the world. Regrettably on tablets as it got beyond what I could tolerate and had no choice but to admit defeat.

I've hit a point though where everyone just annoys me, and I feel like a pretty rotten person for it. I have always been able to do small talk, even if someone has irritated me, but these days I really struggle to even acknowledge these people. Generally I'd rather pretend I've not seen someone than talk to them.

Always kept my friendship circle as small as possible (on the basis that 1 close friend is better than 100 drinking buddies) I have a friend of many years, and I just can't be bothered with the catching up, the chit chat, the nights out.

At any one time, I have messages from about 5 or 6 people on my phone (mainly family), and honestly, I just ignore them as I don't want to engage in conversation. Eventually I'll reply, but try and shut the conversation down where possible.

If I was reading this about someone else, by now I'd be thinking 'what an a*hole'. It's really worrying me though that I'm aware of all of the above but I still don't care. At one time, I would have been mortified.

I genuinely feel like someone has turned off some of my emotions. It's a truely weird feeling that's bothering me.

I've had years of only hearing from a lot of people if they want something, and that realisation each time that you've just been used. Maybe it's just after years of that.

Please be gentle with your replies, I like to think I'm a good person, but then doesn't everyone...

Be interesting to hear if anyone else has experienced similar.

I think the medication that makes you care less does just that.

Maybe review your medication. One type of medication I was taking made me very lethargic to the point I couldn’t care about anything and lost interest in exercise/ people .

It sounds like you're depressed. I know that term is bandied about too freely often, and I try to avoid doing so. But what you describe does sound like some classic symptoms.

You touch on an important point though, which is that depression may be the sane response to the state of the world today, and our sense of powerlessness in the face of it.

Hi op, sorry you are feeling this way.

If you scroll down through this useful website you will see that not wanting to be in contact with family and friends is a classic sign of depression.

www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/depression/

I am not an hcp and I don't have any kind of professional expertise in this area, but from what you have written, it sounds to me like you need to get more support to help you tackle the symptoms of depression. It's hard because of course that's probably the last thing you want to do when you are feeling this way and the right help is not easy to come by.

How long have you been on the medication? Are you due for a gp review? Could you afford to see a licensed psychologist privately for a few sessions? How is your diet and sleep? Do you exercise?

Sometimes, but not always, depression can be a sign that you are living the wrong sort of life or something is missing from it? Could this apply to you? Sometimes it can be a catalyst for making a few changes.

There are quite a few good online resources nowadays too. I have found Therapy in a Nutshell very helpful. There are some free resources there or ones you can pay for.

I think depression does turn you inwards on yourself and although you care about friends and family, the disease can blunt those feelings and of course you have less energy to put in to facilitating meet ups.

Btw I meant to say that I think quite a lot of people I know who were formerly energetic, proactive with a zest for life, have become very depressed during the past couple of years, even when they haven't been badly affected by Covid personally. I think it has knocked the stuffing out of many people in various ways, so you are definitely not alone.

I think you should discuss this with your gp.

I think you need to tell all this to your GP perhaps with a view to changing your tablets.

I've been depressed and recognise some of what you describe. I wouldn't get treatment and wasted 3 years of my life trapped inside my own little bubble, going through the motions on autopilot.
Please learn from my mistake and get help.

Good morning folks,

Firstly, thank you to each of you for taking the time to respond - sometimes it's a relief to know you're not just a weirdo.

You've all given me some really good food for thought, and some points that I had not considered. I'm really sorry to hear of your individual struggles.

I will give some thought to having a chat with my GP. Just a case of building up to doing it, as it just feels embarrassing doesn't it.

Thank you again for your kind words, tips and ideas. Great to know that there are decent people out there.

All the best.