Trigger just in case.

Ok, I have an issue with derealization, with two main triggers:

1. Out in social situations. Doesn't really matter who I'm with, or how I'm feeling...I think subconsciously I must feel uncomfortable with my surroundings. Everything around me starts to feel unreal, people, places, things...everything seems unreal. Like I am the only "real" thing there. It's so surreal. And I am aware when it's happening, too, but that doesn't help. I can be stuck in this "state" for several hours. I usually have to be home and in my "normal" environment before I "snap back" into reality.

2. When I'm feeling extremely depressed, I withdraw into myself and nothing around me seems real.

Can anyone relate to this? Any replies and advice on how to overcome this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[hermeand]

Hi there -

I didn't know there was a term for that, thanks.

I've had experiences with that in large settings - like a big open restaurant.

I never knew there was anything I could do about it - just sort of accepted it. But that was when I was with my then-husband, so I knew I was safe. I wonder is this what you are talking about?

Maybe it could be helped by getting help with anxiety? Just a guess.

However! I never talked to anyone about it so - I really don't know!

Thanks for posting

[kaliope]

one thing that helped me reconnect from states of derealization is to try to attach to things in the environment. look around and start labeling things...red vase, blue couch, flowered picture, white carpet, fred by the bar, glass sliding door across the room....just becoming very mindful of the space that i was in. feeling my feet on the ground, i would move them around a lot to keep me aware, keeping my hand on the back of a chair or a counter to feel the solidity of the space i was in. keep my eyes moving, registering the things i would see again and again. continuing to talk to others. if you lose awareness, then you lose connection and you slip away. hope this helps some.

[Lexi232]

i've had that happen, and then we only have it happen for second to minutes. but never any longer than 10minutes at a time. grounding techniques help here. im not sure if u have tried that or not. but that's the only thing we know.

hope.

[SoupDragon]

Yes I have these experiences, everything seems unfamiliar and odd to me including myself at times - like I have been transported to this strange body that I don't know. That is pretty much a constant in my life, but other times when I get really anxious, I switch off and have even got lost when out walking in familiar places.

I am working with a T and I hope that in time these experiences will reduce - from what I have read they are linked to anxiety, but I don't think there is an easy way of stopping them and it just takes time.