Feeling Strange Lately, Derealization?
Question by Stanleyscg: feeling strange lately, derealization?
a few days ago i had a sudden panic attack that the objects and people around me were not real and that I was imagining them, ever since then I’ve been feeling very anxious and wondering if people and things around me are real or if im just imagining it. it seems like im the only on on earth and everyone and everything els is just pretend, part of my imagination. this brings me constant anxiety and fear that im alone. I’ve had anxiety and depression pretty much all my life but recently it started to get alot worse. I can’t do some of the things I used to do because the constant panicky state is so bad and it feels as if I am in a dream and nothing is real. sometimes I even question if my own family is real or if they are part of my imagination which causes me even more extreme panic. I am not on drugs or any physiological medication, only med im on is dijoxin. this is very scary for me. does anyone know what this could be or if there are medications or treatment for this? any life experiences? please help
Best answer:
Answer by Jerry
Depersonalization/derealization: Opester, a therapist with more than 20 years of experience, specialising in dissociative disorders, and former contributor here, provided a post which is well worth viewing at: http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjGm6SZeDl.EmP3AKExBq3fh5gt.;_ylv=3?qid=20070729124635AAGBzdb&show=7#profile-info-418bccfb9324deeab3120af8e1ccb6ffaa Regard DP/DR as being purely temporary.
Advice from other therapists, and sufferers: When affected, run your hands under cold water for several minutes. Adapt the following to your situation: Look around and find 5 colours; feel 4 different textures; smell 3 different odours, and taste 2 different things. Focus on your hands for several minutes, multiple times daily. Try snapping a rubber band on your wrist, lightly, at first, then increasingly harder; remove afterwards, and pocket.
Give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. It is free via the searchbar at http://www.mercola.com “EFT” & “EFT therapists” or www.tapping.com (13 free videos) or www.emofree.com. Professional is best. – There is a version for use in public places, (if you want to, you can claim to have a headache, as you employ the acupressure massage/tapping on your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: [repeating to yourself in your mind] ) “Even though I sometimes suffer from depersonalization/derealization, I deeply and completely accept myself”. Use the PMR, at http://www.drcoxconsulting.com/managing-stress.html
DP/DR often results from anxiety/panic attacks, so if this applies in your case, see http://your-mental-health.8m.com/blank_25.html re anxiety, and/or panic, then pages h, & i. Neo-Reichian therapy has been recommended for DP/DR, but I suggest using the above treatments for at least several weeks, as they may well be all that are required.
Read: Feeling Unreal: Depersonalization Disorder and the Loss of the Self by Daphne Simeon and Jeffrey Abugel, and Depersonalization: A New Look at a Neglected Syndrome, and The Stranger In The Mirror by Marlene Steinberg and Maxine Schnall, and Depersonalization Disorder Medical Guide by Qontro Medical Guides, from your bookstore, or www.amazon.com
Google DP/DR chat sites & forums, such as www.anxietyzone.com & http://www.dpselfhelp.com/forum and ask what worked for them, such as: http://www.dpselfhelp.com/forum/index.php?/topic/20892-the-holy-grail-of-curing-dpdr/