Does anyone else feel detached?

[Coralrose5]

Like everything that is happening around me is far away...and it’s hard to have a concept of time (like I can’t remember if it’s been 5 minutes or 10 mins that I’ve been doing something, without Looking at a clock every couple mins or setting a timer. Difficulty concentrating and multi-tasking or doing one thing and thinking of another thing to do.

[Pain_art1]

I always do that and it sucks my mind either works on overdrive or not at all

[DistressedPoe]

I think it's a sign of severe depression/anxiety. Don't worry. At some point we all feel emotionless and numb. Have you read up on it. Maybe you should. It'll help you understand what you're dealing with.

I definitely think you should seek professional help (no pressure if you're uncomfortable, slowly ease into the idea). They'll be able to help you out. Trust me.

One thing you can do on your own though is just to sit with a loved one and talk. Try and reconnect with reality. Every time you feel like you're drifting off, remind yourself you stay alert. Sit up straight. Stretch a little. And continue your work. Maybe text a friend. Tell them about it.

You'll feel better soon ! Stay strong

[Coralrose5 in reply to DistressedPoe]

I’m already getting professional help, but it’s been a slow process. Thank you for responding I’ll read up on it. I just wanted to see how many on here also experience this.

[DistressedPoe in reply to Coralrose5]

Trust me, a lot of us do. I've done it in an emotional sense where I felt absolutely nothing. So did my friends. One of my friends feels the way you described. So it's definitely common and you WILL feel just fine ❤️

I'm glad you're getting help. I hope you feel better soon !!

[Coralrose5 in reply to DistressedPoe]

That’s good to know that others experience it. Did it go away for your friend?

[DistressedPoe in reply to Coralrose5]

He feels better some days. He used to do this thing where while having a conversation, he'd drift off. And sometimes go off the grid for days but never realised bcs he didn't know so much time passed.

Nowadays he's more focused in his work. He limited his social media usage and tried to focus on the work as much as he could. That was in 2017. Now it's 2019 and he seems better. Much more alert. Happier. I'm sure one day you'll be too.

[Keepmoving71 in reply to Coralrose5]

I felt that through 6 excruciating episodes of depression.... awful feeling ..

This too shall pass ....you'll be feeling better soon hang on Jesus loves you and cares deeply about you..

20 years of experience with the monster of depression it almost took my life at 24 years old.... but I survived my suicide attempt.... had two precious babies and I'm still fighting hold on for good days are coming.... bless your heart...

[JAYnLA]

My therapist has me 'engage the 5 senses' when I feel this way. (Or if I'm just having major anxiety.) So pop some gum in your mouth and go for a walk. Notice the steps, the air on your skin, the smells, the sounds.... you probably won't WANT to do this when you're feeling BLECH, but retraining our brains is all about doing things that are at first uncomfortable. I've been telling people lately that "I feel like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man" from Ghostbusters - I'd say that's pretty 'detached'!

[Coralrose5]

I’ve been experiencing it for 2 months now constantly! So annoying. Even when I’m at work. I know I’m with reality but a big part of my mental functioning is slow/not there 😓

[Hidden in reply to Coralrose5]

Hi, I have been dealing with this detachment feeling for many years. I am afraid of this feeling because I lose track of time. I can remember this happened for the first time when I was 13, it’s been 30 years and I still struggle. I am glad I am not the only one that deals with this.

[Keepmoving71 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry for your pain.....

[Jeff1943]

Coralrose5, the symptom you describe is known as derealisation, it is fairly common among people experiencing anxiety disorder. It is caused by your mind sensing your anxiety and trying to 'distance' you from the 'threat'. Your mind is trying to be helpful but of course it's not helpful at all.

I had it back in 1975 before it has a fancy name: I used to describe it as 'I'm not here' or watching everything on tv.

As a symptom of anxiety it will disappear once you pass through this period of nervous sensitisation.

The best course is to just accept it for the moment - rather than stressing and obsessing about it. Like all the symptoms of anxiety disorder it thrives on attention: if you deny it undue attention and just accept it for the moment the feeling will die of neglect.

I don't remember when it passed, I wasn't taking much notice of it, I felt no fear.

I still feel it occasionally in brightly over-lit supermarkets but it's gone by the time i'm outside.

Don't worry about it, Coralrose, just concentrate on freeing yourself of the cause (anxiety) and don't pay much attention to the fake symptoms. When you have recovered from anxiety this strange feeling will resolve.

[jkl5500]

Poor concentration, feelings of unreality , like "walking around in a dream", and the inability to think quickly are standard symptoms of depression. Millions of people have them. Knowing this may not make you feel better right away, but you should draw some comfort in knowing that you're not alone.

[Coralrose5 in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you. ❤️ Yes I gave anxiety and depression

[hypercat54]

Yes I get this too. I had it the worst ever many years ago when I got up to go to work as usual, had a bath, dressed etc. I was all ready to go and it was around 8 am. Suddenly I felt very strange and a bit dizzy so sat down on the edge of a chair for a moment.

I came back to myself and checked my watch to make sure I wouldn't be late for work and it was just gone 5 pm. I was still sitting on the edge of the chair and have no memory of those missing hours. I wasn't asleep either. I wasn't hungry, thirsty, or tired. Very strange and very unsettling.

It started happening again a few years ago and most recently about 2 years ago when I went for a nap around 8 pm and slept until gone 11 am the next day. I then found replies I had put on the site after 8 pm which I have no memory of. As far as I was concerned I hadn't woken up until 11 am. x x

[Coralrose5 in reply to hypercat54]

Oh wow hypercat, I just saw this. I’m so sorry you’ve experienced that to such a strong degree. That must have been berry frightening for you.

[hypercat54 in reply to Coralrose5]

It was! Thanks for your response. x

[adhd_positive]

Hi Corarose5,

Yep. I get these exact symptoms as well... a lot! I remember I used to have it real bad... I would wake up in the morning, put on some clothes, and the next thing I knew, I was taking off my clothes at the end of the day to go to sleep! It was like each day was passing by within minutes. Obviously I was going to work, etc in between, but it just seemed like I only “noticed” the beginning and end of each day. Repeat. It was as if I was living the entire week in 5 minutes... blegh! But yeah, it’s an official thing. You can google “Time Blindness ADHD”

It’s like time speeds up. And then sometimes, I get into these moods where time seems to stand still! (Isn’t that the best?!??) During these times, I get so much stuff done, and then I look at the clock, and realize only 5 minutes have passed!! I feel that this is how neuro-topicals perceive time all the time... omg wouldn’t that be great?!? During these periods, i feel like I understand how normal people get so much stuff done on time, and also seem so chill and not worry so much about finishing tasks or projects in a timely manner, without stressing over every little thing... Whereas I’m always stumbling over myself because I’m overly worried that I won’t finish on time, etc because time goes by so fast for me...

[JEG325]

Coral, I also get those symptoms sometimes. I called them, 'Emotional Blackouts', periods of varying lengths of time during which I felt nothing. I was there but, it was like I was a mindless zombie or something. I would find myself sitting there, staring out into space, doing nothing and not aware of anything. Now super long times never passed because I was in places where I had things to do and people who were around. But, even so the spells kept reoccuring. I learned to function even while the spells were occuring. I knew what I was supposed to be doing or saying and so I said and did the appropriate things eventhough there was no thought or emotion behind what I was doing. I became so good that people couldn't tell I was having one of those spells, save to notice I was extra quiet and slightly distracted to the eye. Since I've been with Sue, I have been busier and my life is more fulfilling. I try to keep my mind occupied and active with things I enjoy doing. During those spells I will get up and hug Sue sometimes and tell her I love her to prove that I am still physically and emotionally there. In time those spells are reducing in occurence & severity under Sue's fierce umbrella of love, Our love is so strong that we frequently love each other out of our mild to moderate emotional & physical problems....But, even I was embarassed to mention it to her, just telling her about it recently. In time it will go away. So stay the course and tough it out. You're a strong, capable woman and I have 100% faith in your capability to prevail!

[iwanttogetbetter]

Omg! Yes!!!!! I didn't know how to explain it to my mum. But now I do!!!!! It's like everything is so far and I'm trying so hard to concentrate on my surroundings. It can get really frustrating but don't worry, you'll be fine. As cliche as it sounds, you're not alone. We'll all get better with time

[NadiaB]

Meee. I feel numb and not in the moment with anyone.

[Creo]

I’m volunteering at a bunch of places

Everything from cooking meals with the knights of Columbus to helping out with kickball games for the school. Picking up bread and saying positive things to all the people Mary took care of by listening. Have 3 ex wives trying to convince me to let them move here and take care of me lol. Helping the neighborhood kids feel important and proud of accomplishment. Bringing homeless people into the store and buying whatever they pick out.

Or into Burger King etc.

still feeling empty and missing Mary.

Sitting in the yard lonely gettin drunk at the moment.

Seems to help.

[kalinevada in reply to Creo]

Drink up.

[Creo in reply to kalinevada]

Things don’t change.

[Blue-sam]

Hang in there Coralrose5, you just described what I feel like most of the time. You are not alone this site really helps a lot.

[DemureRose]

I get this way when I’m feeling too emotionally charged from something that’s on my mind or happening around me. Lately I’ve gone into that state of mind when prom is brought up because I just have so much sorry and stress about it.

You’re not alone! We all deal with it at some point!

[AnaIM84]

detachment is a typical symptom of depression and anxiety. Don't worry, it is very uncomfortable but is not serious. What I do when that feeling hits me is to try to ground me as in "ok right now I feel detached, I am at my office sitting on my chair in my desk, I am writing a post on health unlocked" you are going to be ok.

[cynndrs]

I so appreciate You writing how You feel and think. Yes I also am going through pretty much the same thing. I have a dissociative disorder and those thoughts and feelings go along with it. I am so sorry about what You are going through