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Emptiness is described as an elusive and disturbing feeling of numbness, inability to feel anything emotionally, or not having any 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).

Granted, 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.

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Signs of emptiness can be:

• Not wanting anything, especially material goods and money
• Ignoring people and getting frustrated with what would not normally irritate a normal person
• Self-inflicted pain without gaining social or mental satisfaction
• Trying strange things in the hope that it may give one temporary satisfaction (e.g hitting oneself)
• Fooling oneself into believing he or she is satisfied or insane which gives him or her a sense of satisfaction
• No longer talking, having lost hope and having no enthusiasm or motivation towards anything
• Staring forwards for long periods of time
• Pretending things to oneself

Treatment of feelings of emptiness may be similar to treatment of depression. 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.

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.

Other solutions possible are:

• Getting a pet - it has been found that often pets are able to ease the sense of emptiness or loneliness. ^[4][5] See also Animal-Assisted Therapy.

• Faith, some people may find going to church or synagogue spiritually fulfilling.

• Volunteering also fills the time and brings social contact.

• Engaging in any social interaction.

• Borderline personality disorder, which according to the DSM criteria sports a chronic feelings of emptiness.
• Adopted child syndrome
• Dysthymia
• Chronic Discontent
• Empty nest syndrome

1. ^ Downs, A. The Half-Empty Heart: A supportive guide to breaking free from chronic discontent. (2004)
2. ^ Clive Hazell, "The Experience of Emptiness", pages 41-43. AuthorHouse, 2003.
3. ^ Paul L. Adams, Ivan Fras, "Beginning Child Psychiatry", page 208. Brunner Routledge (UK), 1988.
4. ^ http://www.petnet.com.au/releases/17121999.html
5. ^ http://www.buffalo.edu/reporter/vol28/vol28n25/f1.html

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