Depersonilization

Hello everyone,

Yet another one of my issues. Its so frustrating because I was having a good day today and then as I was sitting at my desk at work this afternoon I felt suddenly "detached" from reality. No other symptoms really besides I started feeling really jittery as the feeling prolonged due to my anxiety over it. How many others feel this "spaced out" feeling out of no where? I haven't had any imaging done other than an xray of my neck because my doctor did not feel it was necessary. I really don't suffer from frequent headaches, just pressure type feelings due to anxiety. I really am a hypochondriac. I can walk outside at 10:30 pm in complete darkness and not be super scared, but sitting in my office chair at work I panic due to the simplist of things. I obscess over health related issues/dying. Any input on this "spaced out" feeling will help! Thanks everyone!

velaineg,
I am actually not taking any medications because I want to get to the root of my anxiety and am afraid that if I mask it with medications as soon as I get off of them it will come back. Also I am such a worrier I would panic constantly about side effects :) Its a catch 22 really! I have however, started seeing a therapist and am going to start working on CBT techniques and I try to do a lot of positive self talk and I am hoping to see noticeable results in the near future. I am also drinking chamomile tea to try to aid in relaxation. Life can be stressful at times but I want to learn to cope without worrying about everything! Thanks for the reply, assures me I'm not alone with this symptom! Its so scary.. I still have to work though so I try to distract myself and it usually goes away after a while. *hugs*

Everyday I deal with that for at least a few minutes or so. I usually have a bout of dizziness right beforehand.

It's been going on for years, so I'm kind of use to it, but it still frustrates me.

I just push past it and keep busy while it's happening. It tends to last longer if I dwell on it or freak out, especially in public.

You are definitely not alone.

Yeah!  I know that it will make a difference for you guys...I am really glad to hear when someone has chosen therapy as part of their recovery, because of the positive experience I had with it.

The depersonalization used to really freak me out as well. I always had a creepy suspicion that I wouldn't 'come back' from feeling that disconnection.

However, through tools learned in therapy, and from experience, I know that it is a common and temporary anxiety symptom...and when it happens now, I can actually be amused by it and consider it a temporary break from reality.;p

I am not in any way trying to make light of it!  On the contrary...I understand and respect the fear that it can cause...I just want to convey that there is hope for overcoming this particular symptom in time.:)

Peace and progress for us all!

S.C.