A client who is being treated for posttraumatic stress disorder tells the nurse, "Sometimes it's like I can't feel anything—not happiness, not sadness, not fear. Nothing." How should the nurse best interpret the client's statement?

He's showing emotional numbness as a protective mechanism

Explanation:

Emotional numbness is a mental and emotional process where the person shuts his emotions, is a protective defense an individual uses when is overwhelmed or feeling helpless, is usually temporary and it provides relief but on the long run it can be dangerous.

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