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Depersonalization/Intrusive thoughts

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Posted 8/8/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,
I think this is my third post within a week, so I feel like I'm being needy and annoying, but I don't know what to do, my anxiety is driving me crazy. First I would just like to ask, does anyone else feel like their anxiety gets worse at a certain time each year? Last year my anxiety was extremely high at this time too, and it lasted until about the middle of September. Anyways, my DP, or at least that's what I think it is, is really bothering me. It's hard to even explain it, it feels like I'm not in my body or like I'm in someone else's body. My body just feels weird from my chest up, my neck and shoulder's are tense and my head feels heavy, like there's something sitting on top of it, or like there's a blanket over it. My arms feel like they're kind of just floating. It's weird to look in the mirror and hear the sound of my own voice. I feel there is something standing behind me or over me and I'm lightheaded and it feels weird to touch my hair and feel it on my back. I'm literally afraid that I'm going crazy or that I'm just going to lose control. Has anyone ever had depersonalization and felt this way? I really don't know what to do or how to get rid of it. It's making me so uncomfortable and I can't stop thinking about it and obsessing over it. I'm so afraid that it's not going to go away.
Posted 8/8/2015 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm sorry you are going through this right now, it really is one of the more distressing symptoms in my experience. But, understand that it cannot harm you or make you go crazy in any way.

I've been where you are right now, and it can get better. It's somewhat counter-intuitive, but you have to essentially give up trying to figure it out and fighting it. To do that, you have to embrace it, accept it into your life, and just try and focus on stuff you want and need to do, even if you are uncomfortable because of the DP.
Posted 8/8/2015 11:39 PM (GMT 0)

You are never in danger of overposting here...that is why we do what we do!!  So ask away.:)

Here is another link that might be helpful to you.  It is for defusing fearful and intrusive thoughts that feed our anxiety. 

Therapy Work Sheets:

http://www.get.gg/freedownloads2.htm

These are pretty self explanatory, so pick on that looks good to you, and work through the steps...

I believe some of us posted some D/P D/R links for you in your other thread, right?  If not, let me know and I will pull those up for you as well.

It will get better!  Keep working the self help, and talking to us!

S.C.

Posted 8/9/2015 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I know exactly how you are feeling as I am dealing with DP and intrusive thoughts since May, when my anxiety was at its highest. I felt like I was going crazy and had a severe panic attack. I started on Lexapro and that has really helped, but I still struggle with it almost every day. A side from medication, things that have also helped are mindfulness, taking walks outside, and this website! Things do get better over time and the less I think about it the better I am. Like you said, it's very uncomfortable and I had a hard time obsessing about it. With some help and support, you will come through! And don't worry about going crazy.
Posted 8/9/2015 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
That won't happen. I promise!
Posted 8/9/2015 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

sorry to hear you are having a tough time of it at the moment depersonalisation is usually a sign that you are having high anxiety and it's not a nice feeling I have had it many times over the years and when it happens I double up on my coping skills to help me reduce my anxiety levels.

Do all you can to reduce your anxiety and the depersonalisation should lesson or go.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 8/10/2015 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hey UW,

Oh yes, depersonalization is very familiar to me and it's very annoying to say the least. However, I have learned to not fight it and actually relax or "droop" which is basically letting my arms and head go limp for a second or two. I find that my mind gets distracted and the depersonalization goes away a bit. Fighting it has always made things worse and when my anxiety was through the roof late last year, that was one thing I had to learn to start taking the intensity down a few notches.
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