NUMB

Numb is an adjective used to describe a reduced or absent ability to feel physical sensation, or a reduced emotional response. It can also be used as a verb meaning to cause someone or something to become insensitive to pain or feeling. The related noun numbness refers to the state of diminished sensation or, in a psychological sense, emotional disengagement.

Physical numbness occurs when sensory nerves fail to relay signals to the brain. Common causes include pressure on a nerve from sitting or sleeping in an awkward position, nerve injury, stroke or transient ischemic attack, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, cold exposure, or certain medications such as local anesthetics. Numbness can be temporary, resolving after the underlying cause is addressed, or persistent in chronic conditions. It is often described as a loss of touch, a pins-and-needles sensation, or a detachment from a body part.

Emotional numbness refers to a dampened or absent emotional response. It can accompany psychological stress, trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, or certain medications and substances. People who experience emotional numbness may report difficulties connecting with others, a lack of motivation, or a sense of detachment from feelings.

Diagnosis and management vary by cause. Sudden, focal numbness (especially on one side of the body) requires urgent medical evaluation to rule out stroke or other serious conditions. For ongoing numbness, doctors may perform neurological exams, imaging, or nerve studies and tailor treatment to the underlying condition. General approaches include addressing physical causes (rewarming, relieving pressure, managing diabetes), and for emotional numbness, therapy and treatment of mood disorders or substance use.