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Posted 3/10/2014 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. I read some other posts and am feeling some similar things so please bear with me here.
How does everyone deal with depersonalization? I've had this come and go, but it seems to be hanging around a lot and scares me. I try to keep myself occupied but it just won't go away. I live alone and am also sick with an ear and sinus infection. I haven't slept well the last two nights between anxiety wondering why I'm feeling like this and the time change on Sunday.
My arm and leg also have that wobbly feeling although I can use them fine. That feeling makes me anxious that something is wrong. I've also had the palps off and on. My first grandchild is due in 6 weeks and Ill be making an 1800 road trip alone when the baby is born to help out. Being alone on the open road with anxiety and fear of a panic attack scares the hell out of me.
I am on Effexor 150mg and .25 mg Ativan as needed. Have had a stress test, EKGs, bloodwork...all fine. I really want to get out and do things and live life more but just haven't felt right to do so.
Posted 3/10/2014 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
MSP.,

I know exactly what you are taking about....as I have been in a similar state before.

For me, a lot of the issues that I have had with my symptoms have to do with control.  Even after I got to the point of being able to believe that my symptoms were anxiety related...(and I was not seriously afflicted with a deadly/debilitating disease) I still struggled with the feeling of being out of control.

The depersonalization for instance would threaten to bring on panic, because I felt I had no control over my situation or even myself!

I realized, after fighting this for so long, that the best way to diffuse the fear of lack of control...was to simply give into it.

A lot of advice given in terms of anxiety management is the acceptance of the anxiety.

That is not to say that we simply do nothing and give up...on the contrary!

Rather, we continue to get help through therapy, self-help, medically, whatever methods we need and ultimately choose...but also that we stop mentally fighting within ourselves in regards to our struggles...and simply observe them.

By objectively looking at your symptoms,  you can then make a statement such as this:

"I am struggling with my issues today, but I am doing all that I can to feel better, and I know that I am still making progress."

Or for instance, if you are worrying about your ability to make your upcoming trip...you migh want to add:

"I will not worry about the things of tomorrow, but rather will choose to do all that I can in this day to be well.  I accept my current state of being, and have faith that I will be improving everyday, so I can do all of the things that I want and need to do in the future." 

Has mindfullness been something that you have been able to look into?  It has helped many stay in the moment, and find peace and calm, providing relief from their anxiety/worries. 

Our Admin has some good information on this on the very front page of HW here.  There are many good links and books to be found on the subject as well.  Let me know if you need some guidance, and I will help.;)

Keep posting!!

S.C.

Posted 3/11/2014 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Depersonalization/derealization has been one of the scariest anxiety/panic symptoms that I have ever had. I have struggled with it for years, even on zoloft, which was prescribed to reduce the symptoms. Even after extensive journaling trying to find a correlation between the "attacks" of DP/DR, I was never able to ascertain any specific trigger. For me, I think it has to do with a lifetime of pent up anxiety and then the fear of anxiety making everything worse. For me, the DP/DR seems to now be at bay, which is ironic because I am off of the zoloft for the first time in 10 years, however, I am also making a concerted and sustained effort to deal with my need for control and let things go. I am also working on being mindful and appreciating the moment.

Scaredy Cat hits the nail on the head with this statement "I will not worry about the things of tomorrow, but rather will choose to do all that I can in this day to be well. I accept my current state of being, and have faith that I will be improving everyday, so I can do all of the things that I want and need to do in the future." This is the way I am trying to retrain myself to think because I have spent years being anxious about the future and anxious about future anxiety and I think this cyclical thinking has contributed to my "attacks" of DP/DR.

On a practical note, you mentioned you are concerned about your upcoming road trip and I'd offer books on tape as something that has worked for me in the past. My local library has a great selection, but depending on how long you will be gone, that might now work for you, but they have saved me from my own mind on many a long drives :)

I hope your ears and sinuses clear up soon. Everything seems worse when you are sick.

Take care.

--kate
Posted 3/11/2014 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks SC. Your comments heló. Where do I find information on the mindfulness?
Posted 3/11/2014 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
Here you go sweetie:

https://www.healingwell.com/2012/02/9-ways-mindfulness-helped-me-heal-with.html?m=1



I hope you feel better soon.
Hugs

*I made this an active link...(*reason for edit)  :)  S.C.

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 3/11/2014 10:22:14 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/11/2014 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Here are a couple more resources...:)

http://www.amazon.com/My-Favorite-Books-on-Mindfulness/lm/RFMULHT193EO0

http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/core_mindfulness.html

S.C.

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