Feelings of unreality

[Jbro78]

Anyone deal frequently with feelings of detachment or "unreality". Seems to be my most common symptom for almost 18 years now. Been a lot worse recently. Along with pins and needles in my arms and legs. I've had to take time off work the last two days. Makes me feel guilty. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Agora1]

Hi Jbro78, Ten months ago you felt like this. What has it been like for you during that time and where are you at today? Sharing your life's journey can help us support you, to understand where you are coming from. Each one of us has a story behind our anxiety and it's issues. I'm glad you found this forum. We care. x

[Jbro78 in reply to Agora1]

In June/July my relationship got bad. I realized I needed to do something. I started to read Claire weekes and a whole new world opened up for me. My relationship has been miles better. I'm having much better days lately. The hardest thing I'm finding is fully accepting my unreality symptom. Or the obsessive thoughts. Even as I write this I've been awake since 4 am. I've had trouble sleeping for 3 days. But I'm off to work. Letting the fear be with me. Reminding myself that it can't hurt me. Trying to bring it closer. Give it a hug so to speak. I work a public speaking job so I'm up in front of large crowds all day. It worrys me. But I'm confident I'm on the right course. 18 years of damaged nerves sonit will take time to heal.

[Agora1 in reply to Jbro78]

Jbro78, you more than took that first step forward by reading and living the teachings of Dr. Claire Weekes. She is my foundation as well as many others on the forum who have grown stronger in her words of wisdom. We've learned to go forward and not stay stuck with having anxiety control our lives.

You are on the right path believe me. It's true that the over sensitized nervous system needs time to heal but with the right attitude it will happen. You will do fine whether alone or in front of a large crowd. I've learned to be confident in myself, my self esteem is high. I went from a shy, nervous introvert to someone who dealt with the public and could get up in from of a crowd (like you) and speak or teach. I believe in you.

I know you said you are headed for work, but I'd be interested in knowing how you do as you get further along with your healing. Take care, you are never alone. My best to you Agora1

[Jbro78 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks. I appreciate that. I'm still learning. Trying to be patient with my recovery.

[Agora1 in reply to Jbro78]

Patience is a virtue But we are always here if patience runs thin

[Jbro78 in reply to Agora1]

Do you have any thoughts on alcohol. Not that I abuse it or anything but I still have a beer or two at night.

[Agora1 in reply to Jbro78]

Jbro78, I would say if you are on any medications be careful in that alcohol is a suppressant as well as your medication for anxiety can be.

As long as you are not using alcohol to escape, enjoy a relaxing glass or two at the end of a day.

[Jbro78 in reply to Agora1]

I've been trying really hard today to accept my feelings and carry on. It was a tough day. I'm in a fear adrenaline fear cycle now. Sucks. Agora, maybe I'm trying to hard? Truly accepting is really difficult. Because deep down I'm afraid.

[Agora1 in reply to Jbro78]

Yes that's true Jbro78, the harder you try, the harder it gets to bring down your adrenaline levels. Acceptance takes patience and practice. It must be done every day before you even need it. At the beginning it will not work when you are in the throws of anxiety or fear. You are caught up in that cycle right now. Fear begets Fear. Using meditation and deep breathing when you get home from work is a good idea in letting the stresses of the day go. Did you know that you can't feel scared if you are deep breathing properly? The power behind deep breathing is such that it brings down the heart rate, lowers your blood pressure and calms your mind. There is no room for fear to squeeze in.

Deep breathing will reduce the adrenaline levels as well. Jbro, it's all about practice. Like they say, Practice makes perfect. Check out YouTube and actually listen to Dr Claire Weekes Video. Sometimes seeing and hearing her voice and what she has to say will hit home better than trying to read her book when you in a state of anxiety.

[Jbro78 in reply to Agora1]

Good call. Yeah. I realize it takes time. She even says in her book that the symptoms stay present even when you are accepting at first.

[Agora1 in reply to Jbro78]

Of for sure. Believe me, it took me a long time to get where I am today. I'll tell you a secret ....it's the most incredible feeling to be who you once were. So hang in there and listen to the good doctor. She does know what she is talking about

[Jbro78 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks. I was re reading last night. I've felt so off the last two days I start to questionmy recovery.But I take a step back and try to accept and float. Woke up at 4 again this morning.Not sure what's going on the last two days but I'm gonna practice floating today

[Hidden]

I go through this quite often. Mine started after a bad reaction to anxiety medication and I’ve been off and on going through “Derealization” for the past 2 almost 3 months now. It’s really frustrating and other people don’t understand. To me it looks like my surroundings look “off” I always question if other people see them the same as me...Is this what you experience too?

[Jbro78 in reply to Hidden]

Sort of. It's like a brain fog. Really common symptom. You just can't fight it. Just let it be there. Think of it like your driving through a fog and if you slam the brakes you'll go off the road. If you coast through it calmly, you will come out on the other side.

[Jmerrick22 in reply to Jbro78]

Do you guys ever look at like pictures and other things and it's like I see me but I can't remember when I was like that? Idk lately I'm like will I ever feel better or somewhat normal again? I go to the psych Friday and I can't wait. I need someone to teach me how to retrain my brain so to speak. I'm terrified of dying one minute, then I feel hopeless, then Idc if something happens to me, then I wanna go to the er lol I'm all over the place .

[HopingCat]

Have you tried any medication? I been dealing with this hell for 9 months and things have gotten better. Once I started medication. I no longer obsessed with the feeling of u reality and when I do feel it I just ignore it. I deal a lot with dissociation attacks and medication has also been helping with that. When this all started for me I was a hot mess! I couldn’t function, everything and everyone looked and felt unreal. My intense vision is my worse symptom. Intense dream feel vision and horrific disconnection from myself and reality. It sucks bad but I am better than when it first started.

[Jbro78 in reply to HopingCat]

I've been on meds for a long time. Hasn't really been an absolute for me. I find for me I need to let it pass calmly. Let it be with me. Accept it. Then it doesn't usually last for more than a few days at the most. But I've been living with anxiety for almost 19 years now. I've had lots of practice.

[Jmerrick22 in reply to HopingCat]

What medication are you on? That sounds like me so much right now . I'm on Prozac but lately I've had an increase in symptoms. I'm not so sure what triggered it other than what felt like a traumatic panic attack last year this same time . Today's a year actually

[Jbro78 in reply to Jmerrick22]

I take Effexor but a really low dosage. I'm not an expert with meds but with feelings of unreality it's best to go with the flow. Let it be there. All the symptoms are symptoms of anxiety. They are annoying but can't hurt you. Discomfort not danger.

[HopingCat in reply to Jbro78]

I also take Effexor but I’m at 112.5mg and I take Xanax. That’s the combination that has been helping me cope better

[13cats-lives]

Most people have experienced anxiety of one form or another. Please don’t feel alone..I too have had terrible anxiety. I have had terrible symptoms, and been hospitalised on more than 1 occasion. The more you express your feelings either in words, or art, the calmer you become. Even a pen and paper helps! Good luck my friend, and Please do not feel alone✌️🇬🇧.