Derealization/Depersonalization

As a former sufferer of derealization and depersonalization, I know how brutal they can be. I do a lot of work with clients and readers on both. I'm always curious about others' thoughts and experiences. Anything to share with regard to causes, relief, etc?

Well, I suffer from derealization occasionally, usually comes with my panic attacks at school. I've suffered from derealization since I was a little kid. I'll be normal one second, and then look around and feel as if nothing around me is normal, or it isn't real. I'll take in my surroundings...the people, the room, and feel as if whatever's happening is artificial and things look spacy/foggy. Almost feels like I'm in a different world.

It goes away pretty quickly, but it feels strange! I usually don't do anything to stop it...I don't know any real coping techniques. I just suffer through it and move on.

i suffer from both, i have them for up to an hour episodes. I can get to the point where i will not know who i am and speak in third person at worst, you can pm me with questions if you wish

i too suffer from depersonalization. it usually comes at very random points in the day, and sometimes i go a a couple weeks when i have attacks multiple times a day. when it happens, it feels as though i'm not in my body, and i don't even exist. it's very strange, and weird to explain.

That's how it was with me...thank God it didn't last for days like some folks I hear from. Thanks for your reply, and I've been enjoying the Canadian scenery on TV.

I know just that feeling *hugs*

Hi.
I answered you on another site...
Are you researching ?

I experience drealization all the time and depersonalization about once a day.

I have just now realized I suffer from one or both of these; my symptoms could kind of fit either. I never knew this was something outside of my head! What a relief!

Hello,

Are you writing a book?

Rhiannon

I suffer from derealization and depersonalization sometimes. It's a scary feeling, and a lonely feeling. Panic attacks can follow and that's the most terrifying feeling in the world.

Can someone explain/highlight the differences?
I certainly space out at times - looking back it was like my world stopped, but everything around me kept going on. I don't remember much of what happened during these episodes. They don't last long, about a minute at a time.
But at times it can happen when I'm driving, then I get worried when I "come round".

Sugahorse,

What you are describing sounds like mild blackouts to me and can also be caused by blood pressure or mild epilepsy, have you been checked out by your doctor, if this is happening when you are driving it can be very dangerous to you and others on the road.

Please be sure and get it checked out.

thanks handre.
I just stare into space and carry on. I can hear the radio is on, but I do not digest a single word that is said (Or part of a song).
I am awake during these, and if I'm driving, I manage to more or less drive. Not sure how to explain that one.

Never been dx'd as epileptic - I'm on the medication Epilim (sodium valporate) - I've been prescribed it as a mood stabiliser, but it is mainly used as an anti-epileptic and also for migraines. I'm having much more migraines now that I'm on this medication, than before I was...???

Maybe it is the meds which are causing this trance like state and the megrains, might be time to change the meds or find natural treatments which work for you. All the strength to you Sugahorse.

thanks - I'm actually going to stop them altogether and see where I land. It cannot really get worse. Maybe my body can fix itself. OR I land in hospital and some drastic changes can be made.

Sugahorse, perhaps this is one of the best decisions you have ever made, just be sure to come off the meds in a controlled and monitored manner. Why don't you try replacing them with some side effect free natural therapies or treatments? You will be amazed at how effective they can be as they focus on the cause and not the symptoms of the disorder.

All the strength to you and all the best.

wow, I'm experiencing what I think is derealization really intensely right now. everything feels like it's happening manically fast and ponderously slow at the same time. it's, well, unreal feeling. and unpleasant. typing is weird. unnatural. everything feels unnatural. it just started randomly, I was just sitting here online, not doing anything unusual, having a regular day.

I get it a lot. I will just be walking or sitting in a chair and suddenly it is like I am separate from myself or I will be thinking out loud in my head and the feeling will set in. this totally freaks me out. A lot this happens, that I feel trapped in my own being as myself and that reality is all in my head and I really want to stop existing but there is no escape. This makes things around me feel less real and makes me feel there is something wrong with my thinking and then panic attacks set in every time. This is the most terrifying thing. It is like being in a permanent bad trip.

now I know the difference between the two. I've been experiencing derealization. this morning I experienced depersonalization. and it's worse. first I felt like I had no tongue. I started panicking and I woke up my boyfriend, but then my arms disappeared, and then I couldnt hear, and my head disappeared, and my body started disappearing. that's when I realized what was happening so I was able to calm myself down. I felt like I was almost floating above myself, kind of laying back. It almost could have been calming if it wasnt so terrifying because I didnt know what was going on at first. I couldnt feel my body at all.

Wow RebbieDoll, that sounds really scary, good thing you were able to realize what was happening and were able to calm yourself down, what technique did you use in order to be able to calm yourself down if you don't mind me asking?

Yeah it was very scary. Really what calmed me down the most was figuring out what was going on. Knowing that it was all in my head, it was just anxiety, all I had to do was take some deep breaths and I would be okay. So I was. I was so glad I had read this thread otherwise I wouldn't have known what was going on.