[Armadillo Roll]

Recently, I've been experiencing derealization which is making me question the reality of things. For instance, I would be in the living room sitting on the couch and question if I know for sure that the couch is real. I would say yes in my mind but then I would double-take and think what if it turns out not to be real? If I'm looking outside my bedroom window and see some cars parked along the curb across the street I will question if I know that those cars are real but even if think that they are I would always be hesitant and think what if they're not? I was wondering if anyone else deals with derealization. I've searched the forums but there seems to be only few. I hope I explained it well.

[possum220]

The other night I was in bed and then I felt very strange and it didn't feel like I was in my body. I made myself think that I will feel better in the morning, over and over. I try to tell myself that the sensation isn't real.

Is this how you felt?

[darkpurplesecrets]

((((Armadillo Roll))))

Just wanted to say you are not alone. Even though I have DID I also often feel outside of myself and times of derealization. I am often afraid this life is not real and I am just dreaming what I always dreamed/wanted so much as a child and will awaken still back there in time. Nothing seems real today, especially during rough times or when there is an anniversary close or here.

I sometimes get afraid when someone I feel is safe leaves, were they real or were they part of the dream that will never return. I still at times, though hard to admit, find myself asking if someone is really real or there, afraid to blink or move or they will disappear. Sitting among what seems to be safe people sometimes feels unreal too as though I am imagining them and wondering if they are real or my mind wishing again.

This was especially true when I was in High School, somehow wishing time would stop so that those safe around me would not leave and disappear and I would not have to go back to a place I wanted so much to escape from. So much so that even today at times I still feel that way and wonder if someone is really there or not. It is hard to explain, but it is real to me and a real question I find myself silently asking at times.

Derealization is hard. There are times when what I am sitting on seems to disappear and I can no longer feel what is beneath me. I cannot connect it to being real or to today. I feel I am floating sometimes and just there, above myself, watching and nothing else is any longer present. It is a terrible feeling when you ask yourself is this real and feel as though it is not and feeling nothing beneath you that seemed to just be there----gone and not real.

I too have felt outside myself as though I am floating, and nothing seems as it was just minutes or so before. That is the best way I can describe it. It happens especially when something within is triggered and fear comes, sometimes known sometimes not known except by someone within. It causes you to feel unreal and everything around you feels unreal too. And yes, I ask myself those same type of questions.

And grounding is hard, especially when you feel you're a million miles away from even your own faint thoughts in a fog that seems to be only surrounding and enveloping you alone. Maybe I am alone in that, and maybe that makes no sense but it is the best way I can describe it. But I understand what you are asking or at least to the best of what I know happens to me.

I know it is not the same, but just know you are not alone. Sending gentle hugs and loving thoughts.

dps

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by Armadillo Roll

Recently, I've been experiencing derealization which is making me question the reality of things. For instance, I would be in the living room sitting on the couch and question if I know for sure that the couch is real. I would say yes in my mind but then I would double-take and think what if it turns out not to be real? If I'm looking outside my bedroom window and see some cars parked along the curb across the street I will question if I know that those cars are real but even if think that they are I would always be hesitant and think what if they're not? I was wondering if anyone else deals with derealization. I've searched the forums but there seems to be only few. I hope I explained it well.

I experience derealization when I am very stressed out or when I am inbetween parts. Sometimes if I am under emotional stress I will switch but sometimes it doesn't happen right away and I start to feel like I am floating and that nothing is real. Even if I am sitting on a couch, I will touch it to make sure it is there but it doesn't feel real to touch. I have learned through therapy that I need to ground myself. What that does for me is help a part come forward. Once I am somebody the feelings of derealization fade. Usually afterward I feel exhausted. Maybe grounding yourself will help move you out of that state of mind. I use something cold like ice. I hope you move through this. Take care.

[avlady]

how do you ground yourself? I feel like this often too, it even carries over into my nightime dreams, i wake up and think the dream was really real or not. i can be sitting also and feel like i'm coming out of my body. i think it happens when i'm daydreaming too.

[Armadillo Roll]

Thanks guys for your imputs. I was worried that I maybe posted the question in the wrong forum since I see and read questions relating to DID more than just simple derealization. I should've included that I don't have out of body experiences or feel like I have alters. I might post more questions regarding derealization so just be prepared.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by avlady

how do you ground yourself? I feel like this often too, it even carries over into my nightime dreams, i wake up and think the dream was really real or not. i can be sitting also and feel like i'm coming out of my body. i think it happens when i'm daydreaming too.

I use ice to ground myself. If I don't have ice I will use cold water on my face until I feel grounded. If nothing works I will go outside. When I go outside it forces someone to take charge since we don't want to be seen. We want to be "normal" so the parts that are in the world will show up and take charge. I am usually in a panic by the time I force myself to go outside.

[avlady]

thats a good idea!!!

The closest I get to derealization I guess is everything turns to plastic and dreamy not real like, but I can live with that.