Derealisation/unreality/depersonalisation/

[jon mike]

Anybody else get this? I've posted about it before but with little response, I can't seem to shake it, the way that it is now is like I feel like I cannot accept that the world is real? It just dosent seem to want to sink in, I can't believe it? I'm in and out of this all day and night, one minute I'm wondering how I got here or the world that is and the next I'm completely fine, ive had anxiety issues since I was sixteen, I'm 33 now but this is the worst ever, I start cbt in 2 weeks I'm hoping I can be sorted out, so unhappy, help anyone who has tips for it to go away, Jon

[boxer1]

All the time man ive felt like my body and thoughts weren't mine I've felt that the outside world is fake or a dream and what makes it worse is during these episodes the thoughts that come with just make u feel like ur going nuts ivr had episodes that last a month before u have to just tell yourself that its just anxiety driven and that it will go away distractions will make it go away even faster but if u accept it and don't feed it with fear it just becomes a minor annoyance

[Robbed]

Derealization is indeed anxiety-driven. The best way to deal with this symptom is to find ways to reduce your anxiety levels. Remember that, among other things, this means learning to accept your symptoms (including derealization) so that you don't make them worse by worrying about them. Also, it is often helpful to do things that can distract you from your symptoms. Being outdoors and being with other people seem to help many people deal with derealization. Also remember that derealization is unfortunately one of the longer-lived anxiety symptoms. Regardless of what you do, be patient. Derealization can take some time to go away.

[Nikita]

I sure can related to you. I feel like I am in a fish bowl looking out at the world. Kind of seeing things but not being able to be a part of it. I know its hard but you have to ignore this feelings and know that it will go away. Like in the above post said distract yourself with an activity. I vacuum like crazy or go outside and get away from the situation and my surroundings. Sometimes if you wear sunglasses it helps, even if you are indoors. Another helpful thing to do is sing. Yes sing outloud, as loud as you can. It trigers the brain to think about something else and calms it down. Hope these things help and good luck. Just hang in there and know it will get better.

[jon mike]

Thanks for the advice guys, the last two days have been back to normal thank god, felt like a proper mad man, so strange, got some good advice which seems to have worked, in that state I was in I was really not convinced the anxiety was to blame, I can see it, feel like I've got a new pair of goggles on!

[Nikita]

Great news...keep up the great work.

[joshualives]

this is honestly my biggest struggle, ive dealt with anxiety since i was a kid thinking everything would kill me now i am 18 and im experiencing depersonalization & Derealization

i find it very hard to "distract myself" because just looking out into the world unable to see yourself you wonder whether anyone else can see what you see or what they are seeing from their prospective and then i get that stomach churning feeling, this is so hard

i feel that if i just ignore it that my brain will get used to it and never change but i also know that i shouldnt stick on it and try and fight it.

any tips???

please help

[jon mike]

Hey Joshua? I've experienced it b4 about 7 yrs ago, I know exactly what ure saying about accepting the way that your looking at the world and your brain getting used to it and I'll tell you now that's utter bollocks don't feel alone man, when the anxiety subsides the madness of it all will leave you, only a week ago I was asking for help myself, it's hard to see when your in that frame of mind, mine sort of reminds me of the matrix, really feel like I'm looking at something more than what everyone else can see, it's not, it's literally a side effect of extreme anxiety, a perceptual distortion through lack of seratonin in your brain ( happy juice), concentrate on accepting your anxious feelings and ignore the weirdness of it all and it will fade without you realising it. Jon

[joshualives]

thankyou jon that is great to know.

[Robbed]

i feel that if i just ignore it that my brain will get used to it and never change but i also know that i shouldnt stick on it and try and fight it.

That's not only the trap with unreality, but with anxiety disorder in general. The more you fight it, the worse it gets. Only through acceptance and learning to live with it will it actually go away.

.....a perceptual distortion through lack of seratonin in your brain ( happy juice),.....

Remember that serotonin deficiency has never been proven to be the cause of anxety disorder. It just makes for good marketing for antidepressants.