[zooropa]

We are waiting 2 more days for the psych referral, and I'm looking for ways to help my daughter in the meantime. She recently began struggling with depersonalization where she feels she is in a dream or trapped in a video game.

Can anyone give me some ideas on how to help her get through until we can see a mental health professional? She becomes so terrified when this happens and it is heartbreaking. I have dealt with a lot of depression, PTSD, OCD, etc but I have never felt what she is feeling.

Thank you!

[elevatedsoul]

its a really strange feeling...
its difficult for me because i have lived with it pretty much my whole life so im not sure what it supposed to feel like without it...
but the only thing that helps me is to try to just ride it out, make best of the ride... that kind of thing... because a lot of grounding stuff doesnt help me too much...
but its gonna be a bit different for each person...

maybe walking outside would help, maybe it would make it worse... fresh air cant hurt either way and feeling safe is important since it distorts things...

what about therapy?
probably the best thing for all of us

[finding_my_way]

i've struggled with episodes of those types since a very young age. i would have to suggest she try to learn some grounding techniques and see if any of those can help. aside from that and her trying to use self talk (telling herself she is real, alive, etc.), i don't know what else to suggest as for me, i always had to wait until it lessened on its own. sometimes, it was almost 24/7 though which made it more difficult since there was no break in it. i don't know of a med that can help with it either, but hopefully a specialist will be able to help with something.