[Hopeinnyc]

Hi All,

Does anyone else have chronic anxiety that gets so bad, you feel detached?
Is there anything that has helped with this feeling!?
It's so confusing to figure out the cause of this...

[ChangingMyMind]

Maybe but I would want to clarify what you mean by detatched?

[bluekoi]

Is it the feeling like you are outside yourself? I've felt like stuff was happening (inside the box), but I was outside the box looking in. It's a weird feeling.

[Hopeinnyc]

Yes exactly. Like you are there but not fully there. Sort of disconnected from emotions.

[CosmicRose]

That's pretty much a symptom of anxiety. Not always, but sometimes. It's your brain trying to protect itself. In the wild, the flight or fight response was anxiety. When you cannot run away from a situation, what other options does your brain have? It says "Mayday, mayday! Disconnect, disconnect! Legs are not running, body is not moving - next option is detach!"

[Hopeinnyc]

I know.... not sure why my anxiety is always so darn high

[CosmicRose]

Originally Posted by Hopeinnyc

I know.... not sure why my anxiety is always so darn high

I have the same problem. A comedian once said, "If you don't have anxiety, you're not alive." Life is anxiety, lol...

[strawberry_bunny]

YES!!I DO!

It's so terrible...like most of the time I feel like I'm going down a really dark and scary path were only bad things can happen and i become so cynical and scary and make the strangest threats and go on these weird tangents and I'm just angry at everyone and ANXIOUS that people are coming after me...everyone seems like a stranger to me...and nothing feels/looks/sounds familiar...and all I want to do is sleep

then I have these weird anxiety attacks like I'm having now...where I don't know how to feel, but I think it's mainly sugar/caffeine fueled...I don't know if I'm anxious or excited? but I started cleaning everything and making lists! It's crazy, but I like that I'm productive right now...it just kind of feels like something bad is going to happen and I'm anticipating it but keeping myself busy by cleaning...idunno...it's kinda like i feel really whimsical, child-like, playful, creative, and talkative...i'm still trying to figure out this "bipolar thing", as I'm not seeing a talk therapist, just my pdoc. I think this would be considered "hypo-manic"?

did I stray away from the topic again? oh dear D:

as for what helps........I can't suggest anything. My doctor won't prescribe me anything because I overdosed on valium in April. I guess keeping busy is helpful (cleaning, being around POSITIVE/uplifting people IN TOUCH WITH REALITY)...also since I joined this forum- A DAY AGO! I've felt a little more hopeful that I'm not the only person struggling with these "issues" makes me feel a little more human...maybe if you have pets, pet them and cuddle them (:

OH!!!And meditation! I've been doing massage now for nearly 5 years...and it's sorta like Tai Chi in a way...but It really does help make me feel grounded and "in the moment". But I suppose anything that needs your full undivided attention will help (: (probably not video games tho!) yoga, tennis, swimming, GET ACTIVE! (:

[Fuzzybear]

[Hopeinnyc]

Sorry to hear youre experiencing the same thing but glad I'm not alone in this. Do you get wierd obsessive thoughts as well?

[AmarieSky]

Sounds like Depersonalization. I have it.

[Weownthesky]

Not so much anymore but a few years ago it happened quite often.

[Jolisse]

Originally Posted by Hopeinnyc

Hi All,

Does anyone else have chronic anxiety that gets so bad, you feel detached?
Is there anything that has helped with this feeling!?
It's so confusing to figure out the cause of this...

I get this feeling often, usually when my anxiety/panic is out of control. I'll do my breathing exercises and try to relax. If that doesn't work, I take a Klonopin.

[stuck1978]

I can completely relate to this. It's as if I'm not part of whatever I'm participating in. I stand outside looking in.

[Disorder7]

I get depersonalization/ derealization a lot. It's like I step into the background and watch myself. Like I'm not really there. Someone else is in control. Very freaky sensation.

[CosmicRose]

I think this might be a natural component of anxiety, adrenaline, and the flight or fight response. When my anxiety is really bad (like being put on the spot in front of a bunch of people) I get this depersonalization/derealization experience too. It doesn't feel very good.

[lkbun14]

I've had this feeling a number of times over the last 6 months. It's been so hard to connect with anyone and to gain control back over my life. However, I'm trying to be more conscious of it when it happens and can bring myself back more quickly. I try to do some breathing exercises or do something to relax me, but there are times when it just becomes too much. I'm currently not on any medication, but sometimes I wonder if that would make things a little easier. I'm not against it, but I keep thinking I can do this on my own...it will get better. I was taking citalopram awhile back , but by the end of it, I just kept feeling numb. I had no awareness of my feelings.

[Fabulous]

Originally Posted by bluekoi

Is it the feeling like you are outside yourself? I've felt like stuff was happening (inside the box), but I was outside the box looking in. It's a weird feeling.

Yes I totally get this.

[Fabulous]

Originally Posted by Disorder7

I get depersonalization/ derealization a lot. It's like I step into the background and watch myself. Like I'm not really there. Someone else is in control. Very freaky sensation.

Yes I get that too. What I read was depersonalization is like a less severe form of multiple personality disorder.

[Turtlesoup]

I've had this as well & actually talked to my tdoc about it this week-I told him it makes me think of the quote “I was within and without. Simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby (I got a blank look from him-don't think he's an avid reader). Sometimes I can deal with it but at other times it's scary-& sometimes when I think back at a time when that happened I worry that it might happen & I would stay disconnected-thanks to everyone sharing on this thread-at least we know we are not alone with this.