Depersonalization and alertness

[Jason1234567]

I dont know what's wrong with me, I have severe anxiety. I look at myself and it doesnt seem real. It's like my mind is disconnected from my body. I feel my attention and awareness has decreased dramatically. For example If i concentrated on something like my mobile phone for a while and then I look up and it takes a while to process information. When I am driving I have to fully concentrate on the road like before this depersonalization I could be looking left right up down without losing concentration can someone help me? Has anyone been in this situation?

[Sugarplum1811]

Hi Jason,

Yes, it’s called derealisation/depersonalisation. It can be a condition on its own or another horrible symptom of anxiety. It’s an overstimulation of your brain when you’re extremely anxious, it makes you think what you’re seeing isn’t real in order to protect you from your fear. I experienced this when I had my first anxiety attack and I felt that way for 2 weeks! It was scary as I had no idea what was going on. I felt detached from reality and although I knew everything was real, there was just something that made the world seem strange and off. I felt more aware of my surroundings yet so distant from everything going on around me. It’s scary and a fear I had is that i’ll always see the world like this but don’t worry, you won’t feel like this forever and it will pass. Somethings that helped me get through this was listening to music and meditation like headspace. Distracting myself with my friends and family also played a massive part. Just keep doing things that help you calm and manage your anxiety. I hope otherwise you are well and hope this passes soon. Take care x

[Jason1234567 in reply to Sugarplum1811]

I have had it for a year now, I remember the day it happened I was just sitting there then all of a sudden this veil/ glass wall came infront of my eyes. The worst part of it was looking at my family and not recognize them.

[Sugarplum1811 in reply to Jason1234567]

I’m so sorry you’ve been experiencing it for so long. Have you been to see a doctor about it? Sometimes in order to be rid of this feeling, you need to find the underlying root cause, this also may be the reason why you’re severely anxious. I think it’s important to see a doctor so that you can find a way to be rid of this feeling. It’s terrifying and I can’t imagine how it must be feeling for you. Please let me know how you get on, all the best x

[Jason1234567 in reply to Sugarplum1811]

What could be the underlying root cause?

[Sugarplum1811 in reply to Jason1234567]

It could be many things like a traumatic past experience. You should seek into getting some professional help. I understand how debilitating feeling this way can be.

[Jason1234567 in reply to Sugarplum1811]

Thank you for your time to respond to my questions

[Sugarplum1811 in reply to Jason1234567]

No worries, if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

Please just remember that there is help out there and we just have to push ourselves to get that help. You don’t need to suffer in silence. People on this forum are also here for support and advice. There are many going through similar issues and it’s important to share these experiences so we don’t feel alone.

Please let me know how you get on, take care

[Kkimm]

Hi Jason.

So sorry to hear how long you have had that feeling as it is very unpleasant.

I got that feeling quite a few times when my anxiety was at its worst before I started on antidepressants and then even worse for the first week or two after I started taking them.

I remember I had travelled to London to meet my daughter. I used to love doing that but I felt scared and so out of myself while using the tube that it was as if everything and everyone were aliens 👽 and things seemed distant and echoey. I did not know if I could continue my journey without passing out or something.

When I finally met her I was desparate to just sit down and have a glass of wine because I thought that would help me feel better.

I did not want to worry her with how I was feeling as I did not know what was wrong with me at this stage, so I didnt tell her. We were on our way to a restaurant but she kept finding places such as bookshops she wanted to show me but I was desparate to sit down. Eventually we found the restaurant she wanted to take me to but it was noisy and packed with people. I could not eat my meal as my appetite had vanished but I drank a glass or two of red wine and felt much better.

The feeling stayed away as I was numbed by the wine on my journey home and it was late so I went straight to bed when I got home.

The feeling came and went for a few weeks and got more severe whilst getting used to antidepressants. It went completely and has never returned at all about two weeks or so after I started taking them and by this time I knew I had GAD.

I really hope you get better soon.

Kim

[Ellie5187]

Did you come off any medication recently?

[Jason1234567 in reply to Ellie5187]

Have not been on any medication