Detached From Reality

Does anybody experience something similar to this? I'm not sure if it's related to my depression or anxiety so I wasn't sure where to post this, but the past year I've been having these moments where I feel detached from reality almost like I'm outside of myself and feel like I don't know what's real anymore. During these I start to have a panic attack because I'm afraid I'll completely lose touch with with reality. It's like my perception of everything changes so quickly when it happens where I'm walking around scared to the point where I start crying because I feel like I'm losing control and won't come back to reality and nothing I thought was real is real. It only lasts maybe 5 to 10 minutes max. I know it sounds strange, I'm just curious if anyone else feels like this ever

Yes - I have experienced what you describe. I finally learned that it happens when I am too involved in my own thinking (usually negative) and lose touch with the present moment. It used to feel scary when it happened; not so much now because I understand it.

What helps me is to let the negative thinking subsibe (don't fight it ... just let it go) and come into the present moment. Look around the room and focus on an object or use your senses like touch or smell to come into the present if you need to ... and let the thoughts melt away. Takes some practice but it works.

And no, you are not going to lose your mind.

I too have experience of this detached from reality feeling. I have noticed that it usually happens when I have very anxious or stressed feelings, and since it gives me temporary relief I actually do not mind it.

I am sorry, however, that it distresses you. Little Lulu has some great advice above. I hope you feel better soon!

Thank you Little LuLu and Excelsior! It usually is when I'm very stressed out or anxious, I'm going to try and work on some things to stop it if it happens again

I definitely get a detached feeling from my environment due to anxiety. I usually feel clumsy and shaky at the time, and it's hard to focus on what's happening around me. The focus issue restricts me from grounding myself, and makes people seem a million miles away and thus it seems impossible to hold a conversation. I believe the clumsiness makes me feel like I am not where I think I am at or that my surrounding is too foreign for me. It's very weird and uncomfortable, it certainly makes me unhappy, but luckily not panicky -- I only have the anxiety that caused the sensation in the first place.

i have had this feeling as well. you're definitely not alone

Yes; when I am extremely anxious, I feel detached. I think it is a form of dissociation -- when you are so stressed out and anxious, that you separate yourself from reality. Sometimes this happens to me when I am severely depressed. I think it is something we do to protect ourselves from our pain. You may want to talk to a doctor and/or a therapist about this. You may be suffering from extreme anxiety.

I get the same feeling, usually during a panic attack.