Does anyone ever feel "high" without actually being high?

It's hard to explain, but it's happened to me a few times, and it's absolutely terrifying.

I can't explain it other than to say it feels like smoking pot -- but x100. It comes on suddenly and without me doing anything different. Today I was at the store with my friend and I felt like I was in another world. Not delusional, but completely disconnected from reality. (Maybe it is a delusion.) There was definitely a "time warp" element too. Five minutes felt like hours.

My psychiatrist doesn't know what causes it but also doesn't seem too worried about it, and said I shouldn't be either.

All I know is that it's one of the scariest experiences I have ever had.

Has this ever happened to anyone else??

I experience dissociation and derealization often and it's similar to what you're describing. It's often when I get stressed.

I feel like that all the time...

I've never smoked pot or ingested any drugs other than caffeine or alcohol, so I can't really compare it to "being high". But I also have had depersonalization (feeling like I don't exist) and derealization (feeling like the world around me isn't real). The depersonalization happens more when I'm depressed, and the derealization when I'm paranoid/psychotic. The thing that helped me most for getting past dissociation was getting my bp stable. Now that I'm not depressed, I feel like a real human being and it's great. Your pdoc shouldn't be ignoring this, especially if it is bothering you. If you have more dissociation, tell your pdoc that s/he needs to help you cope with these intolerable symptoms, or you will take your business elsewhere.

I think I read somewhere that lamictal is good for treating depersonalization; I've never been on it long term, so I wouldn't know. A combination of Zyprexa and Prozac is what got my depression (and consequently my depersonalization) into remission.

I hope that that was helpful.

when I start to go manic I feel speedy like I'm on cocaine or something like that. I get the depersonalization and derealization when I'm stressed out. being on geodon has helped with the latter.

I get something similar to what you are describing when I think I am in a manic state or going into one. It is not so much terrifying to me at the time cause I only do things that make me feel good. That is the problem though, when I crash it is bad. I don't get like that a lot but the times I had the crashes were 100X worse than the high ever was in many, many ways.

As sectretum said, I can't know what it feels like to be on pot, because I haven't tried it. However, from what people say it feels like, and also what you describe, yeah I've felt like that. It's probably the most horrible feeling in the world feel better soon!

I've felt so disassociated before, like I'm not even here, I am but I'm not. Being so completely 'out of it'. Feeling like that 'connection' between me and the world around me is nonexistent, therefore I feel like it's all sort of dreamlike. This usually comes on when I'm really numb/neutral, like just coming out of a depression but not in tip top shape yet.

I was so disassociated it didn't even freak me out. I was just kind of like 'huh, fancy that. -sips tea-'

That does sound scary though. I mean, you mention pot, but did you have a body high at all or was it just a mental blur?

I agree with atomicc, sounds like dissociation or derealization, I've experienced that as well. Some times even feel like I'm watching a movie. I've done a lot of drugs and have felt high with no drugs. But it's a really good euphoric feeling and not scary or bad. A free high! I wish I felt it more often, but I'm sure that's not what your thinking of.

had highs earlier this year. felt like my brain was being bathed in pure joy.

Life was great.

been in a depression for 8 months now and becoming cynical.

I have had feelings just like that quite a bit. They feel good most of the time. Other times I come out of a fog then realize this is real, I look around and it feels so strange to realize this is real. That feeling is sometimes scarier then the high feeling. (No I don't use drugs)

I have the same experience very often! Very scary when driving and trying to care for my children. It is so good to know that it is not just me!!!

It happens a bit to me, but not as much with the new med Im on.

Absolutely, yes.

I've had highs that I felt I could fly...but that was the manic part of my disease. I've come through alot since 1980 and I think I've experienced just about everything. I have been fairly stable for the last 15 yrs but just 5 months ago started the depression again. A few manic moments also. I see my psych dr next week and I'm sure she'll tweak my meds once again. Possibly that will help. Good luck to you all. Be well...be safe.

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Well, I personally think psych meds make you as high as street drugs. And why shouldn't they? They're both powerful and affect neurochemistry. Neurontin, a psych drug is sold on the street and they call them "Johnnies." My pupil's were dilated while on this psych med and people kept asking me if I was high.

Psych drugs may make someone high but for me in the beginning I was a blubbering idiot. But upon reaching a combo I began to regain a freedom from the daily upheavels of bipolar. Like I said before I went 15 years with little effects of mania and depression. Stress has brought it back. I did have in '96-'97 have shock treatment 25 in all to bring me out of a severe depression where cutting was the only way to cope. Don't ask me why..except I just wanted to feel something. But ive had this insidious disease 40+ years. I've learned to watch for the signs and get help before I spin out of control. Meds are not for everyone but for me they worked along with shock treatments....be well....be safe
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For me hypomania feels like being on painkillers (which i've never taken recreationally but have enjoyed after having teeth pulled, etc.)

I have totally felt high without smoking pot (and I have smoked it in the past). However, it felt wonderful, not scary at all - I didn't want it to end.
I have also felt like I was watching a movie of life, rather than living it.
Both were when I was hypomanic.