1. Someone who is unable or finds it difficult to form or express emotions, thus hindering their ability to properly relate to other people. Raised by a single father who was at best distant and at worst abusive, Jonathan grew up a cold, emotional cripple, with no friends or companions.

2. Someone who has become incompetent, indecisive, socially alienated, helpless, or apathetic due to an overwhelming and debilitating experience or abundance of negative emotions. My anxiety has left me an emotional cripple—I can do little more than make myself breakfast each day.