emptiness

1 the state of containing nothing [ant: fullness]

2 having an empty stomach

3 an empty area or space; "the huge desert voids"; "the emptiness of outer space"; "without their support he'll be ruling in a vacuum" [syn: void, vacancy, vacuum]

4 the quality of being valueless or futile; "he rejected the vanities of the world" [syn: vanity]

English

Noun

1. The state or feeling of being empty

Translations

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

Emptiness is often a painful experience or feeling. EX:"Empty is the sky before the sun wakes up, Empty is the eyes of animals in cages, Empty are the faces of women in mourning, When everything has been taken from them, Me? Don't ask me about empty"-Chiodos

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, 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 (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.

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.

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. See also Animal-Assisted Therapy.
• Spiritualism - some people may find spiritual fulfillment or inner peace.
• Volunteering also fills the time and brings social contact.
• Engaging in any social interaction.

See also

• Adopted child syndrome
• Empty nest syndrome
• Boredom

References

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

External links

• The Feeling of Emptiness

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