Why do I feel empty even when good things happen?
Depression
Feeling empty during positive events often indicates depression, where the brain's reward system isn't functioning normally, making joy feel distant.
Major depressive disorder can create a profound sense of emptiness that persists even during objectively good moments. This happens because Major depressive disorder affects your brain's reward system, making it difficult to experience pleasure or satisfaction. You might feel like you're watching your life from the outside, unable to connect with positive emotions. This major depression/emotional-numbness" class="internal-link">feeling numb is a real symptom, not a character flaw. Professional help, Psychiatric medication, and Psychotherapy can help restore your ability to feel joy and connection.