Disassociation

Because here's the thing: human beings are social animals. Bottom line. We simply are not designed or equipped for chronic shutdown of all emotional response or engagement, and on top of this, the constant vigilance grey rock requires, while easy enough to do with practice for an hour or a day, is beyond exhausting to maintain long-term. It's draining in the extreme, and as you have noticed, can lead to unpleasant side effects. You begin to dissociate from your own emotions, because you have effectively placed yourself in a kind of protective bubble, where abuse can't reach you - but neither can any genuine connection. It feels exhausting, empty, hollow, unhealthy, inauthentic, stifling, and emotionally unsatisfying because it is. That's why it works short-term: because functionally speaking, it is meant to starve a parasite.
--[–]Koriandersalamander 159 points 3 years agoKoriandersalamander comments on Effects of greyrocking on yourself (reddit.com)