I feel like I'm in a bubble

[bonkers65]

I feel like I'm in a bubble and everybody is on the outside doing their thing.

[AliceAnne]

I often feel the same way, bonker. I sit outside watching people going about their lives while I sit feeling paralyzed. I feel stuck. You are not alone.

[bonkers65 in reply to AliceAnne]

I feel paralyzed and stuck too.

[AliceAnne in reply to bonkers65]

Yeah, it makes me feel worse watching people functioning in their lives. I guess we both need to understand our stuck positions are only temporary and we will get better. It takes time. I wish you well. xo

[Trying1268]

I know how you feel bonkers. I sometimes feel like everyone else is going on living their lives and I am trapped in a bubble. I can't escape and move on. I just want to, be productive, and have a life without anxiety.

[Jeff1943]

This is a common symptom of anxiety, I had it in the 1970s before it had a proper name: depersonalisation or derealisation. I used to call it 'feeling like I'm not here' or like I was watching everything around me on TV.

What causes it is this: your nervous system senses your anxiety and thinks you are in physical danger. So it tries to 'distance' you from the danger by making you feel you're not present. Not very helpful at all!!

The answer is to concentrate on overcoming the cause, anxiety disorder, and to accept the symptoms like derealisation for the time being. Once you crack the anxiety disorder all the symptoms will disperse as your nervous system loses its over sensitivity.

I can only tell you how I overcame it (and all the other symptoms of anxiety) all those years ago. I learned to stop fighting the symptoms and to accept them for the time being. That way I stopped generating fear on which anxiety thrives. I do notice even now that if I am in a supermarket with those bright overhead lights I feel it slightly.

I learned to overcome my anxiety by following the Acceptance method devised by Claire Weekes and set out in her first book 'Self help for your nerves' aka ''Hope and help for your nerves". Although written many years ago the book continues to sell well today and cane be obtained for a few pounds/dollars on Amazon and Ebay.

Her method can be summed up in 6 words: Face. Accept. Float. Let time pass. I commend this book to you and all others.

Weekes was recently described as 'the woman who cracked the anxiety code.'

[bonkers65 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks for your reply and info. I read Clair Weeks books many years ago and am trying to accept my anxiety and float through it but it's hard. But I will keep trying. Thanks.

[Jeff1943 in reply to bonkers65]

Great things are not easily won. I too found it hard to accept the symptoms so I kept rereading her book time and again until I knew instinctively how to respond. It came automatically.