Derealization/depersonalization

[Anxiousjy]

Have you had these along with your anxiety?

[tashalyn]

Yes and they are the worst symptom of anxiety to be honest. When it occurs try some grounding techniques; also distraction works well for me

[Anxiousjy in reply to tashalyn]

I think we’re soul sisters! Hahaha joking aside, yes they’re the worst. I thought I was going mad when I firer experienced them. Can you tell me more about grounding techniques?

[tashalyn in reply to Anxiousjy]

So grounding techniques are the steps you take when your anxiety reaches peak and your brain goes into derealization mode - I read somewhere that it’s actually a way for our brain to protect itself- anyhow it’s annoying lol. So you look at your surrounding and you name 5 things you can see, describe them mentally in your head, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and if possible at that time 1 thing you can taste. I do this usually when it hits me in public, or when am about to have a panic attack in public. This is method is known to calm anxiety when it’s at that horrible peak where you feel you are about to loose it. My own technique that I use when am hit with depersonalization that kinda of morphes into strong sadness is recalling a happy memory and sticking to it. Hope this helps!

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to tashalyn]

You should share that with the group tashalyn. That’s great and can be used for any anxiety attack with derealization or not. ❤️

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Yes. A lot. I’ve gotten so many diagnosis of mental health challenges I just say I have the abc’s. You’ll be hard pressed to find things people won’t relate to in this group. Not everything for everyone but something for everyone. This is very common.