Help please

[darnell0905]

Does anyone get this feeling were you feel like a zombie or robot walking & things look unreal, it’s like I’m here but I’m not all the way aware familiar places and things don’t look right and seems un familiar at the same time, I pause and just stare at something and question my reality like I’m really here I could be doing something or walking to a destination like I know supposed to do it but I don’t know why or how I’m doing it feels like I’m slipping away or stuck in between 2 worlds it’s like I’m just here I look in the mirror And don’t know who I am it’s really frustrating it’s feels like I lost a bit or a notch of consciousness to be a aware and productive but it’s like I’m just trapped in my not totally aware I’m scared everything feels different and have a different feel to it it’s just really hard to explain. Any suggestions of what to do will help. thanks guys - d

[Hidden]

I don't want to scare you but when I felt like that I ended up in a psychotic state and was hospitalized for two months. My mind snapped and I didn't even k ow who I was or remember any of it. My family called the cops to admit me because I was out of my mind. No reason it just happened. I was a working mother, married, living normally. First I noticed repetitive thoughts and phrases that I would repeat in my mind that made no sense. I had ocd symptoms and became obsessed that my landlord was involved in a murder and even went to the cops to report it. If things don't seem quite right, take action. See a doctor. I didn't and I didn't see my daughter for months and missed her first day at school and missed her losing her first tooth. I can't explain it but knew things weren't right at the time. I was completely normal before and went totally crazy for some reason. Do something now.

[darnell0905 in reply to Hidden]

Omg I know you said you weren’t trying to scare me but you totally did what did you have? Anxiety or depression ? What led you to feeling like this mines come and do it all started after my uncle passed he was like my best friend we did everything together literally this post scares me

[Hidden in reply to darnell0905]

Sorry. I didn't really have anything before but bad situations like childhood sexual abuse, abusive first marriage and my child was abused at school. I thought I was fine but these obsessions took over and the ocd symptoms started. I was normal working as a nurse married and raising a child, nothing out of the ordinary at all. I just literally went crazy one day and was paranoid and confused. I wasn't making sense, thought I was Jesus and tried to attack mil with an iron. I am usually a very calm, non aggressive person. Something went haywire one day but looking back there were signs. It may not be the same for you but if you feel disconnected and disoriented I would check into that right away.

[darnell0905 in reply to Hidden]

Hopefully I’ll be ok I hope you’re ok

[Hidden in reply to darnell0905]

I'm fine now. I took antipsychotics for six years but quite because it was a major health risk taking those meds. I'm completely normal now. Still don't know why it happened. It's scary. I worry it could happen again but if I don't k ow why I can't stop it again. I just tell people around me to watch me for signs again. I didn't mean to worry you but want you to prevent something like this.

[Sunnidayz1 in reply to Hidden]

I think you experienced a nervous breakdown Melhall. Im sorry you went through that. Im glad you are feeling better!

[Hidden in reply to Sunnidayz1]

Yes, it was. I just don't know why. I have been way more stressed before.

[Sunnidayz1 in reply to Hidden]

Stress from repressed emotions and/or trauma can do that. I had my 1st and last panic attack about 10 years ago. If I didnt get the help that I needed eventually I would have had a nervous breakdown.

[dore13]

You should really speak with a doctor about this. It could be the start of disassociated disorder, or something more serious, like a psychotic break with reality. The fact that you posted this message at least shows your still are dealing with reality. That can change, so I strongly suggest you speck to a psychiatrist as soon as possible. This type of psychology is so beyond what most know or can comprehend, I think discussing it with a professional is paramount. Although, it has never happened to me, a friend of mind had a complete psychotic break with reality, and to be honest it scared me. I didn't know what to do, so I called an ambulance and although she got better, she was never the same person after that. I know only one thing , it is not something to ignore, please seek treatment.

[Calm_mama]

Hi Darnell0905,

You have seen a doc for a basic anxiety workup, correct? I’m assuming that is the case. If you haven’t, please have a visit with your doc and talk through all your symptoms.

What you are experiencing is a common thing with anxiety. It’s called derealization and it’s part of an expected pattern. It lessens and eventually goes away as you lose your fear of it and lose your fear of all anxiety symptoms and sensations, which are normal for the circumstances. On my profile you will find some excellent resources for anxiety recovery, including recovery from this particular symptom. I’d start with Dr. Weekes- the first video link I have there. She calls this “feelings of unreality”. It’s also known as derealization as I said, or depersonalization. It is completely different from psychosis. I know it’s terrifying right now but understand it’s just a sensitized nervous system that just needs a break from the constant fear...that’s all it is.

It is common for people to fear they are “going crazy” or heading into a psychotic state. I don’t believe you need to fear that in the least.

Again, Do make sure you see a doc so he/she can check for causes of secondary anxiety (ie thyroid problem, other). Otherwise, therapy and sometimes meds are very supportive of recovery. Many people recover beautifully with just self- help resources like the ones I’ve listed.

One more thing that is a little off- topic. I am 51 but I like my teens’ music. We listen to a lot of hip hop and rap in my house. We love Logic (the artist). Listen to his song “Anziety” (with a “z”). He talks about his experience with this particular symptom at the end of the song. . He has also given interviews about his anxiety and personal experiences. He likes 4-letter words so avoid him if that offends😀. Logic is doing fine. So is Arianna Grande who has anxiety and reportedly has experienced derealization as well. So are many well-known famous people. So am I. So is my daughter. So are probably hundreds of thousands of people who have been through this. We all just have super- awesome anxiety and all the weird stuff that comes with it 😀lose the fear of it and you will recover and thrive👍🏻

[pink83737]

Hang in there! You will be OKAY ♥️

[IChoose]

I think the questions I would ask myself are:

1) is this recent, did it have an abrupt onset, did it come on gradually, or have I always felt this way?

2) does it at all interfere with working full time and supporting myself, going to school full time and completing a university degree, caring for my family, etc?

3) Am I financially secure and safe and making good choices while I'm feeling this way?

3) is it accompanied by hearing voices, pounding thoughts, seeing things that are not there, seeing things that are there in distorted surreal way?

if you feel like you're on an acid trip, or living in a Salvadore Dali painting, I would seek out a psychiatrist md or highly qualified psychologist.

I don't know if you're aware of the film "Harvey the rabbit" with Jimmy Stewart.

Do you hold conversations in your mind with an imaginary friend?

Do you live inside of your head?

Are you a trauma or abuse survivor?

Do you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse?

Like the common cold or a skin rash or any physical health issue, people seek professional help for a mental health issue when it begins to interfere with their functioning. If your symptoms create even the slightest interference with a highly efficient and productive day to day life, I would seek professional help immediately. I wouldn't wait years for it to add up in bad way and take it's toll on your life.

I want to be careful about throwing around fancy labels like nervous breakdown, psychotic break, PTSD, etc. In therapy we eschew labels, strip away the false self, and get down to the business of being ourselves, perhaps for the very first time. It's a great feeling to really know who you are, and to love and accept yourself as you are.

When you look in the mirror, instead of all the funky stuff that seems to be happening, you should be able to say "(your name) I love you, " and give yourself a big hug. As soon as you do that, you've just started therapy, but you can't do it alone. It is the objective other with professional insight that makes all the difference. A support network is everything.

[rayana]

Hi, first important step is not to panic. Our emotions are here to help us understand ourselves somehow- sometimes we don’t know what we’re meant to understand because our emotions come out of the blue and feel so heavy. However, the way we feel about the way we feel is what lingers.

I have felt this way (zombie state) several times before. It helps me a lot to listen to self compassion meditations, as they put me back in touch with my physical self. I recommend Kristen Neff compassion break. Just google it in and you’l immediately find the link!