This feeling

[Savannah_claire_]

I hope I’m not going crazy cause it feels like I am sometimes. Lately I have been feeling where things aren’t happening like everyone and everything is made up in my head and it’s honestly kinda scary. I feel like I’m not alive and nothing is actually happening. Who else this feeling? It’s almost like my brain is in a cloud.

[Jeff1943]

This falls into the category of strange thoughts which is a symptom of...yes you've guessed it...anxiety. But we are allowed to have strange thoughts, they are harmless. Think of them as such and accept them, let them fly into your head and out again, they cannot send you crazy, anxiety has its limitations and cannot do that.

Just let the strange thoughts come, pay them less attention, don't stress or obsess about them, just accept them for the time being and they will pass.

The world is real enough and all the people in it. No need to fear these strange ideas, they cannot harm you and will pass if you let them.

[Savannah_claire_ in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you. This helps.

[Hidden]

It is anxiety... I’ve experience it too. Also known as depersonalization. Very disconcerting feeling, have you been under much stress lately?

[Savannah_claire_ in reply to Hidden]

Yes I have

[Jeff1943 in reply to Savannah_claire_]

I think lynnalice is right, what you experience is depersonalisation/derealisation I don't know why it has two names. I had it for a while 40 years ago before it had a name, I described it as "Not being here" or feeling dazed or like watching everything on a TV screen but you're not present. Your mind is trying to be helpful and sensing your anxiety is trying to 'distance' you from the 'danger'. Most unhelpful.

It does go away when your nervous system recovers from its over sensitivity. As with all the symptoms of anxiety the best way to deal with it is to accept it for the time being knowing that although discomforting it is not harmful and represents no danger. So accept it and avoid stressing and obsessing about it and constantly testing yourself and 'fighting' it as these only increase the flow of fear hormone which keeps your nerves sensitised.