Emptiness

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This article is about a human condition. For the concept of emptiness in Buddhism, see Śūnyatā.

For other uses, see Emptiness (disambiguation).

Emptiness as a human condition can be thought of in multiple ways.

Emptiness is often a painful experience or feeling.

In the painful sense, it is described as a feeling of numbness, inability to feel anything emotionally, or not having purpose. It can be better described as a situation where a certain lack or lacks in one's life overtake the emotional and mental focus in an obsessive, sometimes subconscious manner. Feelings of emptiness often accompany chronic discontent, dysthymia, ^[1] depression, loneliness, despair, or other mental/emotional disorders such as borderline personality disorder. It may seek expression through different types of self-harming behaviors, and in more extreme cases, suicide.

Emptiness often involves alienation, be it temporary or acquired, and sometimes self-hatred. Persons tending to feel emptiness often come from problematic familial backgrounds. If at all there was a family nucleus, their needs were ignored, they were considered second class, they experienced many separations, or there was outright abuse ^[2]^[3] (see also the role of childhood abuse in BPD individuals).

A sense of emptiness is not always associated as such, and may be part of a natural process of grief, as resulting of separation, death of a loved one, or other significant changes to one's life.

1 Dealing with emptiness
2 See also
3 References
4 Further reading
5 External links

[edit] Dealing with emptiness

Some people may find psychotherapy beneficial. Self-occupation is important if the afflicted person is to hold off the negative effects, and avoid the natural aggravation of the untreated emotion.^{[citation needed]}

In cases of unemployed individuals, getting into the work market may help them enrich their lives, although pitfalls such as in the case of depression may prevent them from mustering the efforts of searching for a job. In such cases it is advisable to seek professional job placement help. Governmental agencies may offer help in this domain as well.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Downs, A. The Half-Empty Heart: A supportive guide to breaking free from chronic discontent. (2004)
^ Clive Hazell, "The Experience of Emptiness", pages 41-43. AuthorHouse, 2003.
^ Paul L. Adams, Ivan Fras, "Beginning Child Psychiatry", page 208. Brunner Routledge (UK), 1988.
^ Petnet - Responsible Ownership in Australia - And then there were two!
^ Mar. 27, 1997-Vol28n25: Research provides further evidence that pets, music effective at reducing stress

[edit] Further reading

Moss, Robert. Understanding Emptiness: The Think/Feel Conflict. R. A. Moss, 1993. ISBN 0-9638848-0-8
Sanders, Catherine. How to Survive the Loss of a Child: Filling the Emptiness and Rebuilding Your Life. Three Rivers Press, 1998. ISBN 0-7615128-9-6