Deja-Vu, Flashbacks, and Anxiety. Help!

Hello all. I've had an interesting past few days, and wanted to share just to see if anyone has been through anything like this. I have lived with Anxiety in one way or another for over a decade. I am a 33 year-old male and take 40mg of Paxil / day. You'd think I would have the hang of this anxiety thing down by now...but something is always catching me off-guard it seems. The latest is this: It began on Thursday night. I started having this "feeling" of Deja Vu several times throughout the evening. I didn't think anything about it much at the time...because we've all had Deja-Vu at some time in our lives. But then, all day Friday I felt the same way. Then Friday afternoon, and into the evening, It switched from the feeling of Deja-Vu to something else. Like dreams, or movies, or video games that I have played (I coudn't quite put my finger on what it was) - started to flash into my mind. Almost like my subconscious had a "glitch". Well, I start worrying about it (did you expect anything else) - and I began my Google search. I swear, Google is the bane of my existence. I have scared myself into a panic attack with internet stories more times than I would like to remember. Well, the first thing that popped-up was a forum post explaining that Deja-Vu can be the first signs of Schizophrenia. HERE WE GO! Every time I have anxiety, I think I am losing my mind, and that it will develop into Schizophrenia. I did a lot more searching, and found this NOT to be the case, but that's how I feel. Now, I just have a dull anxious feeling, and am dreading going back to work for fear of my own thoughts, or that the Deja-Vu feeling will come back, or flashes of dreams will come back. Has anyone out there experienced anything like this before? Should I be worried about this Scizophrenia thing? I did do LSD once in my childhood (when I was 18). Could that be coming back to haunt me - referring to the "flashback" thing. Also, has anyone else noticed that their anxiety comes in cycles. For example, I will be fine and dandy for months, and then BAM - I'll have a spell for a week or four - and then I''ll work through it and get better. One of these days, I'm afraid it will come and not go away. Any words of encouragement or similar experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks so much, Achilles.

HI scleme i know the feeling you are talking about the feeling like i've been here before in this same spot doing the same thing! I have not had it in a long time but it is a very scary feeling. Like kitt said you feel diconnected from your own self.I always describe it like it feels like my life is slipping away from me! It kind of feels like an out of body experience,I often feel like that right before im about to have a panic attack.When it happens i usually cant move,talk,walk or anything.I sort of have that deer stuck in a head light look.What you said about feeling better for some time then it sneaking back up on you is true.I HATE IT!! Panic attacks suck and i wish they didn't exist.I'm sorry that you feel the way you do maybe sometime soon you will go back to feeling better! And stop surfing the net so much,it can drive people like us insane because were already vunerable with this condition.(lol)

Hi and welcome,

I have had what you are describing in times of high stress/aniety.

I think that your minds can only retain a fraction of what we dream upon awakening...but our subconscious can throw out little fragments, like memories at random.

When we are stressed out, little things like this can be alarming to our already overloaded brain.

We often seek to attach ominous reasons to the normal things that happen with our bodies or minds, because as anxious people, we are by nature worriers.

Try not to let it get to you. If you would like some ideas on lowering your overall stress levels, and hopefully elimination some of your symptoms...check out our Resources on our front page.

Keep posting with us as well. We are here to support, understand and listen to each other.;)

Scaerdy Cat