Feeling like I’m in a dream and fog

[Livelaughlove22]

Hi! This is my first post here! I have been suffering in a dream-like state for years now but it’s been getting worse. Usually this happens a lot worse on weekends and in crowds/large places. It feels like I’m in a fog and completely out of it and like I’m in a dream. I try and make myself snap out of it and make myself feel more present but it’s hard. I get nervous thinking about when I eventually have kids and a family and feeling this way. I can’t even picture it. Whenever I try and explain this feeling to friends and family they never truly understand. I feel like this is really ruining my life where I can’t just live in the moment and enjoy myself. Any tips greatly appreciated. Thank you all for the support.

[Mike7777]

I have felt your exact same feeling. Training your mind mentally and changing your lifestyle is what you should do. Take benzos they can help ease things if you expose yourself in uncomfortable situations that cause your current symptoms. Thats what i did and im much better than what i once was.

[Livelaughlove22 in reply to Mike7777]

Thanks so much! I take Xanax but mostly just at night when I can’t sleep. I’m going to talk to my therapist to see her thoughts. But I agree, I think training my mind mentally is going to be a huge part of it- it’s just so hard to snap out of it and feeling tired and in a fog constantly is so exhausting. Makes it so hard to make plans because I never know how I’m going to feel in the moment.

[Mike7777 in reply to Livelaughlove22]

Well if you think your going to have a panic attack try taking one and it should help you. Get bloodwork done too, sometimes things like this can be related to abnormal bloodwork. In depth too. I found out my norepinephrine levels are high and testosterone a bit low.

[Wesa86]

I get the same feeling sometimes, it's called derealization. I usually get it if I've had a lot of bad panic attacks and I think it's a type of mind preservation, like running on auto mode. Finding a way to ground yourself helps and understanding what it is and studying it and also a way to control my panic attacks helped me to get through it.

[ciley in reply to Wesa86]

i liked your word there 'grounding'~this is esp useful,in fact neccasary for earth signs virgo capricorn, taures

[Livelaughlove22 in reply to ciley]

I’m a Capricorn so it’s funny you say that! Yeah this past week has been especially bad for me- I’ve had a lot of bad anxiety so my fog has been at an all time high where sometimes I can’t even see and everything is just all blurry and in a complete dream like state.

[ciley in reply to ciley]

i had a 'feeling' about it~~ how more can i help myself?

[Photograph321]

I have the same thing that seems to be happening to me. I have had anxiety and bi-polar for more years than I like to think about. I'm 77 by the way. One thing I have noticed about the anxiety condition is that it takes part of your mind to support it. In fact it used to take almost all of my mind and I couldn't even talk to anyone. All I was capable of doing is sitting and staring with this nasty feeling going around in my head. When anxiety takes over my mind it leaves only a portion of the mind for the real world which to me usually means I am drifting in that fog that is left to experience the world. Klonopen and Lexipro are my meds and they help to rid my mind of the anxiety which is only a change in the chemicals flowing between the synapses in the mind. " the meds affect the chemistry."I have bi polar and can actually feel the switch when the chemistry changes. Why our minds have this condition is anyone's guess. Outside influences and conditions often have the ability to bring on the change. The right meds can often alter it back to normal

[ciley in reply to Photograph321]

i'm in 70's feel dreadful lately and no meds~been treated badly j

[Jeff1943]

What you describe is called derealisation. The feeling that you are not really present at the place where you are or as if you are watching everything on a big tv screen

It is caused by your mind sensing your anxiety and trying to 'remove' you from the scene of your discomfort. A completely unhelpful mechanism. For some reason it is worse under bright fluorescent lighting such as in supermarkets. I had it for several years in the 1970s when it didn't have a psychiatric name.

The way to overcome it is to stop fighting it and accept it fully for the time being. This prevents the nervous system from being overwhelmed by adrenaline which causes this and so many other symptoms of anxiety disorder.

So stop stressing and obsessing about it and agree to accept or co-exist with it for the time being. Do it without putting a time limitation on when you will recover and overcome your fear of what is essentially a trick of the nervous system.

[Livelaughlove22 in reply to Jeff1943]

That is interesting that you mention the fluorescent lighting because my fog is 100% worse when I go into bright stores including supermarkets, some malls, particularly notice it in bed and beyond! Sometimes I feel so fogged it feels like I’m going to pass out. I even notice it worse when I’m working inside all day and I go outside to either run errands or walk home from work. I almost feel blinded and like everything is one big foggy blur. I try and snap myself out of it but it is so hard to do that but I’m glad to hear I’m not alone! It always feels way worse when my adrenaline is running too (good or bad adrenaline). Thank you so so much for your feedback- it means so much!

[Jeff1943 in reply to Livelaughlove22]

It will pass in time when you agree to accept it for the moment and cease stressing about it and thereby reduce the sensitivity of your nerves. Do talk to your doctor about this if you haven't already, they will be a great help and reassurance.

[Livelaughlove22 in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks so much!

[Livelaughlove22]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences with me. I appreciate it so so much.

[pam4him]

It may help to focus on what's most important and in front of you at the moment. If you're driving to work, try reading all the road signs instead of mindlessly singing along to the radio. In conversations, watch the speakers mouth to at least give the impression you are there and listening. It will also help you catch what they are saying. Doing something routine a little differently can improve focus and reduce the dream feeling. It could also be a sign that, if not already, it might help to seek some counseling. It could help clear the fog to talk to a professional. Prayers for wisdom and guidance.

[Livelaughlove22 in reply to pam4him]

Thank you so much for your tips! It is so greatly appreciated- I am talking to a therapist but it’s comforting getting feedback from people who actually experience the same thing as I am. Wishing you well!

[Laurennnnnnn]

I’ve struggled with this for so long!! It’s to the point where it’s even affected my memory. I’m so focused on feeling like I’m in a fog and trying to just get through the day seeming okay that there’s no space left in my brain for extra memories

[Livelaughlove22 in reply to Laurennnnnnn]

Ugh it’s the worst! I’ve been struggling with it for so long too but it’s been especially worse these past few years. Distracting myself definitely helps and I honestly usually feel my best either when I’m working or watching tv.