depersonalization trance

hello everyone!,

this is my first attempt at asking for support in this. outside of a few friends who dont seem to really understand. which in itself is understandable as what i experience is difficult to convey. increasingly prevailent in the last two years of my life have been episodes of what ive come to understand as depersonalization. a state of conciousness in which ones mind seems to separate and one feels as though watching oneself from a distant perpective or in a dream. for some time, as this state became more frequent, i felt i could bring it about by thinking about it, and i had to be careful not to go down that road. now (im 33) and for the past year and a half, my consciousness lives almost entirely in this prison. Somehow nobodu detects or suspects anything is wrong and outwardly i function fine but it is begining to interfete with my life and i find it miraculous that im able to appear as a normal man at all. i am going to take the big step of seeing a therapist and im hoping to find some support here if any is available. love out to all of you in your personal struggle. i am excited at the prospect of being part of this community.

Hi, Sufferers often describe the sensation of derealization as being in a dream-like state where the environment seems unreal, foggy or hazy. Other sensations of derealization may include: feeling cut off from one’s surroundings feeling like being trapped in a glass bubble feeling like surrounding objects are unreal or cartoon-like Derealization can be problematic especially to someone that is suffering from a disorder such as anxiety, panic, and/or depression. To someone suffering with these kinds of challenges, the symptoms can easily be mistaken for something more serious. Many interpret their symptoms to mean that they are on the verge of insanity, that they are losing touch with reality and others fear they have a more serious mental illness . I would highly encourage that you remove all caffeine and Alcohol from your diet.   There are articles I have read about Medication-Associated Depersonalization Symptoms .   Be sure to mention this to your Dr. What helps – recognizing that these symptoms, although distressing, are not dangerous. The truth is they are common symptoms for anxiety and depression. I know it’s very hard to accept the things that are distressing. We just want them gone already. However, "by wishing them away, we enable them to stay". Accept they are there and do not add any "what if thinking" about all the possibilities for your sensations. Let them exist and don’t make such a big deal out of it. By making a big deal, you are falsely telling your brain that there is something to fear, something to dread, something to run from. As you would conquer your obsessive scary thoughts, you will conquer your Derealization. Sometimes it is the obsession of your thinking that keeps you stuck. Practice doing things that cause you to participate in life. Give whatever you are doing your fullest attention. You do this by involving all your senses! Notice colors, smells, sounds and if someone is talking give them your fullest attention. This is a skill that needs a lot of practice, especially since you are so used to being focused on yourself and how you feel. This skill is about getting out of yourself and into what is around you! Make sure you do an attitude check every day. Be determined and realize that you will have good days and bad days. Remind yourself that as long as you keep up the work and practice these skills, you will produce some good results. The truth is you have two choices...and only two choices. You can either repeat the same old cycle of belief about your Derealization or you can do something about it by practicing skills that will help bring hope and relief to these uncomfortable symptoms. You can keep worrying about yourself and these feelings or you can move on believing that there is hope and help for you. Trust others who have “ been there and done that ". Listen to the people who have suffered and have overcome. Trust that when they tell you their experience that there is the same hope and help for you. There is much to be learned by listening to others and their personal experiences. Talking with others that are currently suffering helps a lot! Not only do you get to see that you are not alone, but you get the chance to tell them the very things you need to be telling yourself. You must know that by helping others, you help yourself. By repeating to others the truths about Derealization, you are repeating it to yourself. Never be afraid to seek professional help. Kindly, Kitt

I'm new to this also. I sort of know what your going through and I might can help you if you can grasp what I'm going to try and explain. I am a messed up nightmare and my GAD went nuts when I recently was diagnosed with West Nile Virus... It's a great day when a mosquito can nearly kill you.
Long story short. I developed bad phantom pains and super weird sensations that I still have. However I sort of started mapping them in my mind or posting them in my notes on my phone. This all kind of has sort of a system that comes and goes. What started happening is I sort of know when this is about to crank up.... I just shut it down! I know it isn't real! I know it's in my head. I immediately change my thought process or if I'm able get up and go get busy, make a business phone call, anything to derail that chain of events. Many times I can master it, sometimes I cant.

This may not help at all, just hoping it might. It seems like there has to be something going on for so many people to be like we are. Good luck and stay positive as possible.

Idarc,

It is a process, like anything else...small steps add up.:)

You are reaching out here, and getting into the process of therapy, and that it good for now!

Yes, a healthy lifestyle is important, and as you progress, you will hopefully be able to take steps on being less dependant on the things that aren't good for your health...but one step at a time for now.

Let us know how your therapy appointmet goes, and use the Resources here if you run into any rough spots.

There is hope...you are not fading away, in fact, you are strong and taking powerful steps in a journey where you are going to be victorious over these issues.:)

Keep posting!

S.C.

Welcome and I'm sorry you're feeling this way. We understand because we've all been there. The way stkitt put it couldn't have said it any better...
"Notice colors, smells, sounds and if someone is talking give them your fullest attention. This is a skill that needs a lot of practice, especially since you are so used to being focused on yourself and how you feel. This skill is about getting out of yourself and into what is around you!"
This is SO true. I've experienced this myself and it is very frightening and disturbing. You can appear fine to those around you, but it's like you're in another dimension. You're taking the right step in going to a therapist. Take care and let us know how you're doing.

kate and panda thank you!

yes distraction from the focus on this symotom seems to help. i spent yesterday very present in my work and it was a huge help. its interesting how its all in my head and sometimes i can side step it by not giving it any power and forcing focus on something else. i woke up this morning feeling very feeply rested for the first time in a while. we'll see how this day goes! thanjs for being there you guys, it truly is warming to have support in something that has always taken place in frightened solitude. -

Hey. How are you doing. Any better. I'm going through this for the past month or so. And kind of wanted to talk to someone and see if they're getting better or to compare our days! I'm only 19

Idarc- how've you been? It's been 6 months or so. Did you get relief from your DP?? We've a member in the depression forum struggling with it. I too had it off & on for a couple of months.

Did you end up taking any meds? Are you feeling better & if so, what worked? Hope you're still checking here or your email and will post back with us


Thx!

Lisa