emotional detachment emotional detachment in psychology, emotional detachment, also known as emotional blunting, is a condition or state in which a person lacks emotional connectivity to others, whether due to an unwanted circumstance or as a positive means to cope with anxiety. such a coping strategy, also known as emotion focused-coping, is used when avoiding certain situations that might trigger anxiety. it refers to the evasion of emotional connections. emotional detachment may be a temporary reaction to a stressful situation, or a chronic condition such as depersonalization-derealization disorder. it may also be caused by certain antidepressants. emotional blunting, also known as reduced affect display, is one of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.