Girlfriend has severe problems! Advice needed!

Hello,

my girlfriend has severe psychological problems. Since she doesn't understand English, I am writing this for her.

She constantly feels trapped inside herself. When she looks at her hands and touches them, she doesn't realize they belong to her. I guess that's strong depersonalization. She also says her world looks like a comic and she has problems to see the world in 3D. Not feeling real is a problem she has since she is a kid but it
has worsened severly. Sometimes she wants to "crack her head open to escape" (metaphoric of course).

Other problems she has:
- visual snow even at day time
- dizzyness (especially when standing up)
- low blood pressure
- vitiligo (white pigments of the skin in some areas)
- gluten allergy (she doesn't eat any gluten anymore)
- constantly tight neck
- rotating pain in different areas (feet, hip, groin)
- insomnia (wakes up often, trouble to fall asleep)

She has been to a psychatrist and neurologist but none of them could really help her. When she takes clonazepam or xanax she feels almost real but she doesn't want to take medication because of the side effects and possible addiction.

She doesn't suffer from anxiety or panic attacks so I am wondering why she feels that way.

Does anyone have an idea how I can help her?

A.,

Direct her to our Resources and have her try the self help for DP/DR.

One does not need to 'feel' stressed to have anxiety...especially if she has had this most of her life. She is likely become accustomed to the anxiety and it no longer registers consciously...

...but the symptoms remain a problem until the anxiety is dealt with.

Well wishes for you both!

S.C.

Dear Abyssos,

It is indeed possible to not feel consciously anxious. My anxiety is almost entirely physical symptoms (insomnia, nausea, shaking, etc.) and the feeling that nothing is real. In my personal experience, that wall can protect me from feeling anxious and stressed and I don't know I have a problem until I can't keep my hands from shaking. The brain is strange.

Best of luck and good wishes to your girlfriend. I hope she finds something that works for her soon. And thank *you* for caring and looking into this for her.